Apple has publicly committed, for the first time, to providing a minimum of five years of security updates for iPhones. This disclosure comes as part of the company’s compliance with the UK’s new Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act.

The PSTI Act, which took effect in April 2024, requires manufacturers of internet-connected devices to adhere to specific security standards. One key requirement is that companies define a minimum support window for security updates on their products.

While this might seem like a limitation, it’s important to understand that five years is the minimum. Apple has a history of providing security updates for iPhones well beyond five years. In fact, as recently as January 2024, they released a security patch for the iPhone 5S, a device first launched in 2013! Similar updates were provided for the iPhone 5S and 6 in 2022.

Apple’s official filing defines the “defined support date” as a minimum of five years from the iPhone 15‘s release date of September 22nd, 2023. This translates to guaranteed security updates for the iPhone 15 until at least September 2028.

Traditionally, Apple hasn’t publicly disclosed the duration of iPhone security updates. This stands in contrast to competitors like Google and Samsung, who currently offer a guaranteed seven years of security updates on their latest devices.

While Apple’s commitment of five years falls short of its rivals’ offerings, it’s still a significant step towards greater transparency and user security. The fact that Apple has historically provided updates for even longer periods suggests they might continue to do so in the future. This is positive news for iPhone users, as security updates are crucial for protecting your device from vulnerabilities and malware.