Starting December 18, 2024, Apple will stop supporting iCloud backups on devices running iOS 8 or earlier, meaning those older iPhones, iPads, and iPods won’t be able to create new backups or restore from existing ones. This change aligns with Apple’s ongoing efforts to update its software and cloud services, as the company shifts away from legacy systems to focus on modern frameworks like CloudKit, which debuted with iOS 9.

If you’re using an older device that still runs iOS 8, it’s time to update—if your device supports it. Updating to iOS 9 or later will ensure your iCloud backups continue to work. But if you can’t (or don’t want to) update your device, Apple has provided alternatives: you can still manually back up your device using a Mac or PC with iTunes (for older versions of macOS) or the Apple Devices app on Windows.

Importantly, this update will also affect any existing iCloud backups on older devices. After the cutoff date, Apple will delete these backups, so it’s a good idea to either update your device or save your backup data through other means before then.

This change is expected to affect very few people—most devices in circulation today are running much newer versions of iOS—but it serves as a reminder that technology, particularly mobile software, has a shelf life. For those holding onto older devices, this could be the push you need to upgrade to something more current.