YouTube app stops supporting many older iPhone models

Google is rolling out a new update to its YouTube app for iOS, and it's bad news for those still using older iPhones. Starting with version 20.22.1 (the latest release on the App Store), YouTube for iPhone now requires iOS 16 or later. Previously, the app required devices running iOS 15 or later.

New hardware requirements make many iPhones incompatible with the latest version of YouTube, including:

1. iPhone 6S/6S Plus
2. iPhone 7/7 Plus
3. iPhone SE first generation
4. iPod touch 7th generation
   On iPad, this update removes support for iPad Air 2nd generation and iPad mini 4th generation.

While you can't install version 20.22.1 or later, older versions of YouTube will still work fine on lower-end iPhones. However, users will:

1. Don't get new features or improvements
2. The app will be completely discontinued in the future.
   The alternative is to use the web version, but the experience will be limited compared to the fully updated app.

Google isn't the only service dropping support for older Apple devices. WhatsApp recently dropped support for iPhones that can't run iOS 15.1 or later.

This news will obviously be a huge disappointment for users of older iPhones, which have a respectable lifespan (as long as you're happy with the battery life). But remember, the iPhone 6S line was launched nearly a decade ago. 10 years of support is impressive, but it's clearly time to upgrade.

Kareem Winters

Update 04 June 2025