The Future of iOS is 64-Bit Only -- Apple To Stop Support For 32-Bit Apps (computerworld.in)

Your ability to run 32-bit apps on an iOS device is coming to an end. As several other Apple news sites have reported, Apple has updated the pop-up warning in the iOS 10.3 beta to say that the 32-bit app you're running "will not work with future versions of iOS." The warning goes on to say that the "developer of this app needs to update it to improve its compatibility." From a ComputerWorld article (edited for clarity): In October 2014, Apple told developers that all new apps created after February 1, 2015 must have 64-bit support. Shortly after, Apple announced that all updates to apps must also be 64-bit compatible. Any 32-bit apps submitted to Apple after June 2015 would be rejected. Last September, Apple announced that it was going to remove apps from the App Store that did not "function as intended, don't follow current review guidelines, or are outdated." Presumably, this would include apps that did not meet the 64-bit requirement. Apple does not state which version of iOS will be 64-bit only, but since this is a major development, you can probably assume that this will happen in iOS 11. An announcement will likely be made during Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference this summer. The switch to 64-bit only support means that older iOS devices built on 32-bit architecture will not be able to upgrade to the new iOS. This includes the iPhone 5, 5c, and older, the standard version of the iPad (so not the Air or the Pro), and the first iPad mini.

Comments

Re:Assumption

[Just Some Guy]

There's literally no reason for essentially basic x86 code to not fucking run.

ISA aside, there sure is: a tiny computer with limited resources is spending quite a bit of them on providing a 32bit compatibility layer of libraries, etc. Tossing that would allow those resources to more efficiently run the other applications, save battery, use less of the small and finite flash storage, and so on. In the specific case of an iPhone, it likely also means that the apps in question are probably using ancient API versions that Apple would like to deprecate, low-res graphics, have fixed-size and fixed-ratio display canvases, and aren't taking advantage of any modern features.

None of those matter so much on a PC with (comparatively) enormous storage, huge amounts of RAM, and unlimited power drawn from a wall outlet. They're a pretty big deal on a phone, though.