YouTube App Stops Working on Millions of Older iPhones After Update

Millions of users with older iPhone models are facing an unpleasant situation: the YouTube app no longer works on their devices. The cause is the app update to version 20.22.1, which raised system requirements.

Which iPhone Models Are Affected

The new version of the YouTube app requires iOS 16 or later operating system version. This means the following iPhone models have lost compatibility with the application:

• iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone SE first generation
• iPod touch 7th generation

A similar situation affects iPad tablets as well. The iPad version of the app now requires iPadOS 16, which excludes iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 from support.

Alternative Ways to Access YouTube

Users of affected devices haven't been left completely without YouTube access. They can still use the video hosting platform through a web browser by visiting the mobile version at m.youtube.com. However, the web version falls significantly short in functionality compared to the native application.

Reasons for Compatibility Restrictions

Such compatibility limitations are usually related to several factors:

• Implementation of new features requiring modern APIs
• Security and performance improvements
• Development resource optimization
• Following Apple's recommendations for supporting current iOS versions

Recommendations for Users

Owners of affected devices are recommended to consider upgrading to a newer iPhone model that supports iOS 16 and above. This will not only restore access to the full-featured YouTube app but also ensure compatibility with other modern applications.

For additional information about Apple device compatibility with various applications, visit the official Apple support website.

If you encounter any problems, contact us, we'll help quickly and efficiently!