YouTube ends support for millions of old iPhones and iPads: What to do

In June 2025, YouTube updated its iOS app to version 20.22.1, raising the minimum requirements to iOS 16 or newer. This change left millions of outdated iPhones and iPads without support for the popular app, including the iPhone 7 and older models. Here's which devices are affected, how many users were impacted, and how to keep watching YouTube videos.

Which devices lost support

According to MacRumors, the new version of the YouTube app no longer works on devices that cannot be updated to iOS 16 or iPadOS 16. The list includes:

iPhone:
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
iPhone SE (1st generation)

iPod:
iPod touch (7th generation)

iPad:
iPad Air 2
iPad mini 4

These devices are limited to iOS 15 or earlier versions, so installing or updating the YouTube app is no longer possible.

How many users are affected

According to DemandSage, as of 2025, the total number of iPhone users exceeds 1.38 billion. Based on Telemetry DECK data, around 1 percent of iPhone users are on iOS 15 or earlier. This means that approximately 13.8 million devices can no longer use the YouTube app. There is no exact statistic for iPads, but the iPad Air 2 and mini 4, often used as media devices, also represent a significant share.

Why did YouTube end support

Raising minimum requirements is standard practice for apps. The reasons include:

Optimization: iOS 16 allows for the use of new APIs and features, simplifying development
Security: Older iOS versions receive fewer security updates, increasing vulnerability
Performance: Modern apps require more resources than older devices can provide

Google, which owns YouTube, had previously raised requirements to iOS 14 and iOS 15, gradually phasing out support for outdated models.

What to do if you have an older device

If your iPhone or iPad no longer supports the YouTube app, there are several ways to keep watching videos:

1. Use the mobile version of YouTube
   Open Safari or another browser and go to m.youtube.com
   Pros: Full access to content, no need to update the OS
   Cons: Lacks app features (offline viewing, better interface), may be slower on older devices
2. Turn off automatic updates
   If the older version of YouTube (before 20.22.1) still works, turn off automatic app updates:
   Go to Settings → App Store → Automatic Downloads → App Updates and turn them off
   This will preserve the current version, but over time Google may block older versions
3. Consider alternative apps
   Some third-party browsers or YouTube clients may still work on older iOS versions. For example, ALook Browser supports iOS 9–12, but compatibility with YouTube is not guaranteed
4. Upgrade your device
   If YouTube is essential, consider replacing your device with a model that supports iOS 16 or newer (such as the iPhone 8 or later). Budget options like the iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd generation) cost around 15000 to 20000 rubles on the secondary market

How to avoid future issues

Regularly update iOS: Install the latest available versions (Settings → General → Software Update)
Check app requirements: Before buying a used device, make sure it supports the current iOS version
Follow tech news: Subscribe to sources like MacRumors or 9to5Mac to stay informed about app support changes

User reactions

On X, users expressed disappointment. Many noted that older iPad Air 2 and mini 4 models were often used as children's devices for YouTube, and now parents will need to find workarounds. Some believe Google is forcing users to buy new devices, which has caused frustration.