App store update kills all older phones.

App Store update on IOS 16.


I had a need to install an app on my Iphone X, OKTA. I went to my app store button and it now tells me I need IOS 18, but the Iphone X will not update past IOS16. This update kills my phone and its functionality. I am unable to access the app store at all. This is a major issue for me and my wife, it impacts her Iphone as well.

iPhone X, iOS 16

Posted on Nov 30, 2025 6:11 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 30, 2025 6:35 PM

It is the developer of an app that determines what iOS version they want to support. If you are referring to Okta Verify, the developer of that app requires iOS 17.


That has nothing to do with the Apple Store app you have included in your screenshot. That app does require iOS 18, but you certainly don't ned to use the app to shop in the Apple Store and can do that with any browser by going to apple.com.


You still have access to the App Store with iOS 16 and it is probably on one of your Home Screen, if not then swipe all the way to the left until you see the App Library and type App Store in the search.

Find your apps in App Library on iPhone - Apple Support

13 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 30, 2025 6:35 PM in response to BryanRo

It is the developer of an app that determines what iOS version they want to support. If you are referring to Okta Verify, the developer of that app requires iOS 17.


That has nothing to do with the Apple Store app you have included in your screenshot. That app does require iOS 18, but you certainly don't ned to use the app to shop in the Apple Store and can do that with any browser by going to apple.com.


You still have access to the App Store with iOS 16 and it is probably on one of your Home Screen, if not then swipe all the way to the left until you see the App Library and type App Store in the search.

Find your apps in App Library on iPhone - Apple Support

Nov 30, 2025 6:24 PM in response to BryanRo

Yep. Eventually older phones, which are stuck on out of date iOS versions make it impossible to update or install apps from 3rd party developers who no longer choose to support older phones with out of data iOS versions. This isn't an Apple issue. It isn't something Apple do anything about. It isn't something anyone here on this user to user only forum can do anything about. If an app developer no longer chooses to support an older out of date device, that is their decision. What you have to decide is if it might be time to retire your iPhone X, which was released in 2017, 8 years ago and buy a new iPhone. That is something YOU can control.

Nov 30, 2025 6:50 PM in response to TheLittles

Two things,

  1. When I purchase a vehicle, if the manufacturer no longer support it, usually within 5 years or less, I am able to obtain aftermarket items to repair it as needed until it reaches its end of life which may be 20 years or more. The nonsense of failing to make apps compatible with older versions is problematic. Except for the need to install OKTA which is a, not compatible, B requires a $10/week charge is not happening ever. I will find other ways to accomplish the desired task.
  2. My phone is a tool to accomplish tasks, nothing more, as long as it functions I will use it.
  3. I will freely acknowledge that I was clicking on the wrong icon on my screen, I was frustrated at the time.
  4. The IOS as developed by Apple chose whether or not to incorporate backwards compatibility. The decision to prevent me from installing a newer version is APPLE's choice, they could have easily made it possible to install on any apple device, this is forced obsolescence. .
  5. The core issue that the apple store is not available on my phone is still an issue.

Nov 30, 2025 6:56 PM in response to TheLittles

TheLittles wrote:

"App store update kills all older phones.: App Store update on IOS 16. I had a need to install an app on my Iphone X, OKTA. I went to my app store button and it now tells me I need IOS 18, but the Iphone X will not update past IOS16. This update kills my phone and its functionality. I am unable to access the app store at all. This is a major issue for me and my wife, it impacts her Iphone as well."
-------

Thank you for the screenshot.

Transferring to a New iPhone:

Two Methods - Quick Start or iCloud:

A. Use Quick Start:
The transfer may have stalled. So, is Quick Start what you used here? Either way, I recommend you restore your new iPhone to factory settings, and then perform this once more, using Quick StartUse Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

B. Sync Through iCloud:
Sign in to the same iCud Account on both devices. Then enable items (i.e. Photos) in iCloud on both phone. All pertaining items will be accessible between the two devices. As an example, here is how to go about this for Contacts:
On Both iPhones...
Go to: 1. Settings
Tap: Your Name1.  (Top Item)
Tap: 1. iCloud
Tap: 1. Contacts
Enable: 1. iCloud Contacts

HUH? They have an iPhone X. They've realized many apps are no longer supported on iPhone X. What does your post have to do with the Author's post at all? Did you read the post at all?

Nov 30, 2025 6:21 PM in response to BryanRo

BryanRo wrote:

App Store update on IOS 16.

I had a need to install an app on my Iphone X, OKTA. I went to my app store button and it now tells me I need IOS 18, but the Iphone X will not update past IOS16.


The iPhone X ran iOS 11.0.1 when Apple released it in November 2017. It received five major iOS updates, but will never be able to update past iOS 16.*.


This update kills my phone and its functionality. I am unable to access the app store at all. This is a major issue for me and my wife, it impacts her Iphone as well.


The screenshot you posted is not for the App Store, but for an app that lets you go shopping in the Apple Store – e.g., for a new Mac, a new iPhone, or a new iPad. Your iPhone X cannot access the online Apple Store using that dedicated app, but it probably can access the online Apple Store using a Web browser.

Nov 30, 2025 6:28 PM in response to BryanRo

"App store update kills all older phones.: App Store update on IOS 16. I had a need to install an app on my Iphone X, OKTA. I went to my app store button and it now tells me I need IOS 18, but the Iphone X will not update past IOS16. This update kills my phone and its functionality. I am unable to access the app store at all. This is a major issue for me and my wife, it impacts her Iphone as well."

-------


Thank you for the screenshot.


It's Time for a New Phone:

It is a different version (6.6) that is provided here. You iPhone model (X) is just not compatible, because it does not meet the minimum system requirements. As result, you need to upgrade to a much newer model. It still wokrks, but may app are just inaccessible.


Apple's 7-Year End of Support:

Apple is proprietary, in that they make their own calls --and about every 7 years after a device's release date, Apple has a tendency to discontinue updates for the device, thereby making it no longer supported, or with limitations. It's how Apple keeps its customers up-to-date with one another. Why 7 years? Got me! But, Microsoft and Android are much different, in that they make their own change --MS Office versions 2016 and 2019 were discontinued one the same date, but in a three year different timespan. See here: End of support resources for Office | Microsoft Support

Nov 30, 2025 6:27 PM in response to BryanRo

"App store update kills all older phones.: App Store update on IOS 16. I had a need to install an app on my Iphone X, OKTA. I went to my app store button and it now tells me I need IOS 18, but the Iphone X will not update past IOS16. This update kills my phone and its functionality. I am unable to access the app store at all. This is a major issue for me and my wife, it impacts her Iphone as well."

-------


Thank you for the screenshot.


Transferring to a New iPhone:


Two Methods - Quick Start or iCloud:


A. Use Quick Start:

The transfer may have stalled. So, is Quick Start what you used here? Either way, I recommend you restore your new iPhone to factory settings, and then perform this once more, using Quick StartUse Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


B. Sync Through iCloud:

Sign in to the same iCud Account on both devices. Then enable items (i.e. Photos) in iCloud on both phone. All pertaining items will be accessible between the two devices. As an example, here is how to go about this for Contacts:

On Both iPhones...

  1. Go to: Settings
  2. Tap: Your Name (Top Item)
  3. Tap: iCloud
  4. Tap: Contacts
  5. Enable: iCloud Contacts

Nov 30, 2025 7:26 PM in response to BryanRo

BryanRo wrote:

1. Two things,
When I purchase a vehicle, if the manufacturer no longer support it, usually within 5 years or less, I am able to obtain aftermarket items to repair it as needed until it reaches its end of life which may be 20 years or more. The nonsense of failing to make apps compatible with older versions is problematic. Except for the need to install OKTA which is a, not compatible, B requires a $10/week charge is not happening ever. I will find other ways to accomplish the desired task.
2. My phone is a tool to accomplish tasks, nothing more, as long as it functions I will use it.
3. I will freely acknowledge that I was clicking on the wrong icon on my screen, I was frustrated at the time.
4. The IOS as developed by Apple chose whether or not to incorporate backwards compatibility. The decision to prevent me from installing a newer version is APPLE's choice, they could have easily made it possible to install on any apple device, this is forced obsolescence. .
5. The core issue that the apple store is not available on my phone is still an issue.

I'm pretty sure the App Store (not Apple Store) app still works on an iPhone running iOS 15. I'm curious why the Apple Store is a core issue for you? You can always go to www.apple.com in Safari and have full access to the Apple Store.


Your car analogy really doesn't work. You also reference a 5 year old car. You don't have a 5 year old iPhone, you have an 8 year old phone. Expecting an 8 year old electronic device to be supported forever is completely unrealistic. You simply can't compare an electronic device to a car.


All said in this thread, complaining about decisions Apple has made in terms of supporting nearly antique iPhones, gets you nothing. You're not speaking with anyone from Apple here. You're speaking only with other users like you. None of whom are associated with Apple, nor had any say in what Apple Supports for how long.


If you'd like to share your thoughts with Apple, you can use this link --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple


Nov 30, 2025 8:05 PM in response to BryanRo

It seems you're interested in updating your iPhone to iOS 16. Is there a specific reason you'd prefer iOS 16 over other versions, even though it might not be compatible with your device? Perhaps you're encountering limitations with apps that require a newer iOS version.


Apps that require higher iOS versions than your device can be updated to... - Apple Community




App store update kills all older phones.

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