Apple Won't Make You Upgrade to iOS 15 and Will Continue to Provide Security Updates for iOS 14 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Won't Make You Upgrade to iOS 15 and Will Continue to Provide Security Updates for iOS 14

Apple plans to allow iPhone and iPad users to remain on iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 even after the launch of the iOS and iPadOS 15 updates, according to new details on the software pages for the new updates.

iOS 14 on iPhone feature emergency

iOS now offers a choice between two software update versions in the Settings app. You can update to the latest version of iOS 15 as soon as it's released for the latest features and most complete set of security updates. Or continue on iOS 14 and still get important security updates until you're ready to upgrade to the next major version.

With prior updates, Apple has prompted users to update right away and has stopped signing past versions of iOS to make it impossible to downgrade, but it sounds like Apple is planning to relax that policy going forward.

This will be useful for those who are not able to update their devices because of device restrictions or requirements implemented by work organizations or schools.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2026

Popular Stories

TMRS 187 WWDC26 Thumb

The MacRumors Show: Apple Announces WWDC 2026

Friday March 27, 2026 9:51 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's announcement of its 37th annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where the company is expected to unveil a major Siri overhaul alongside iOS 27, macOS 27, and other next-generation operating systems. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Like last year, WWDC 2026 will be a primarily online...
wwdc 2026

Apple Announces WWDC 2026 Will Take Place June 8 to 12

Monday March 23, 2026 9:55 am PDT by
Apple today said that its 37th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to begin on Monday, June 8 and end on Friday, June 12. Like WWDC 2025, WWDC 2026 will be a primarily online event open to all developers, with no associated cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC always begins with a keynote that happens on the first day of the event, and this year's...
WWDC26 Glowing Ring Feature

WWDC 2026 to Showcase Apple's 'AI Advancements'

Monday March 23, 2026 10:16 am PDT by
WWDC 2026 is set to begin on Monday, June 8, and the event will highlight Apple's "AI advancements." Apple included the tidbit in its WWDC 2026 announcement. WWDC26 will spotlight incredible updates for Apple platforms, including AI advancements and exciting new software and developer tools. Since iOS 18, we've been waiting for Apple to introduce a more intelligent version of Siri, and that ...

Top Rated Comments

LFC2020 Avatar
64 months ago
That’s because even apple know iOS 15 is basically iOS 14. 🤦‍♂️😂😂😂
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
64 months ago
This is the perfect solution for those who are worried about bogging down their older devices- having the choice is something this forum has been requesting for years.

And still getting security updates makes it a win-win.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
64 months ago
Probably means it won’t work WELL on iPhone 7 or 8 or possibly X
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
64 months ago
Thank god. I will not let my mother update for Safari alone 😅 she will call me asking who deleted the internet cuz she can’t search for any sites anymore (too used to the look and feel of an address bar on top)
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
64 months ago
Probably because of those 32GB devices.

Look what happened with Watch S3 and watchOS 7.5.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
64 months ago
Wonder what legal issue is forcing them to do this.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)