Pokémon Go Is Ending Support For Older Apple Phones

Pokémon Go announced that it is preparing to end support for old iPhones. These include devices like the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6. That’s not all as support for iOS 10 and iOS 11 are going to end as well. This is going to take effect once the game releases the version 0.189 update.

What’s going to happen is pretty straightforward. Once the update goes live, Trainers using the devices mentioned are no longer going to be able to access the game. This include any PokeCoins accumulated as well as collected items.

It’s not all iOS though, as support is ending as well for Android 5. This includes devices such as:

• Google Nexus 10
• HTC Desire 520
• LG G Pro 2
• Motorola Moto G (1st gen)
• Motorola Moto X (1st gen)
• Oppo R7s
• Samsung Galaxy Note3
• Samsung Galaxy E5
• Samsung Galaxy S4
• Samsung Galaxy Alpha
• Samsung Galaxy J1
• Sony Xperia Z1
• Sony Xperia Z
• Xiaomi MI 2

So, why this change?

On Niantic's help center page, it looks like the reason is that the developer is looking to streamline the development process while allowing to better focus resources on supporting newer operating systems and technologies like iOS 14. In addition, the Pokémon Go team shared that a huge “majority of users have already migrated to newer operating system versions and devices.”

This is not really that surprising considering that Pokémon Go has been testing a lot of new features that could well be geared for new operating systems. Back in May of this year, Niantic revealed that it was testing reality blending, which allows Pokémon to move behind objects, whether partially or completely. They were also testing PokéStop Scanning, which hopes to make dynamic 3D maps of locations. You can read more about that here.

In a post, the Pokémon Go team said that while it is possible that some Trainers could still run the game on the devices mentioned even after the update goes live, they’re not going to “be able to provide support if you run into any technical issues.”

So how should Trainers avoid any issues? Well, the best option appears to be getting a compatible device. The Pokémon Go team reminded everyone that before they get a new device, it’s important to save their account’s login info so they can log back into their account on a new device.

I guess that’s that, then. If you’re using any of the devices mentioned, it’s time to buy a new one.