Apple will delete backups of iPhones and iPads with operating systems prior to iOS 9

Apple has announced that, starting December 18, it will begin deleting old backups from iCloud devices that use an operating system version earlier than iOS 9, so users will need to download and store them locally in order to retain their data or perform a manual backup using a Mac device or PC with iTunes.

In order to align itself “more closely” with its minimum software requirements, which include the minimum system conditions to be able to access all iCloud functions, the technology company has shared that it will proceed to eliminate backup copies of older iPhone and iPad devices.

Specifically, this is because, as of December 18, iCloud backups will require the device to use an iOS 9 or later operating system version to be able to use this service and store user data.

This is what Apple explained in a statement on its support page, where it detailed that, until the aforementioned date, users will be able to use the service normally. However, after December 18, Your stored backup data will be deleted unless you upgrade to a later version of the operating system.

That is, if the device has an operating system version between iOS 5 and iOS 8, it will not be able to create new backup copies. Likewise, Users will not be able to access data collected in backup copies already existing on the device.

With all this, Apple has pointed out that, if the device cannot be updated to a version of iOS 9 or later, users can resort to making a manual backup through a Mac or PC with iTunes or Finder. Likewise, he recalled that all applications, data and content remain on iPhone and iPad devices locally.