YouTube has officially raised the minimum iOS and iPadOS version required to run its native app. As of the latest update (version 20.22.1), devices stuck on iOS/iPadOS 15 or earlier — including many older iPads and iPhones — are no longer supported.

While the app may still function for now, these devices will no longer receive bug fixes, feature updates, or support for any future backend changes from YouTube. For affected users, this means you may eventually have to switch to the mobile web version of YouTube, which, quite frankly, isn’t great.

Which Devices Lose YouTube App Support?

Affected iPads:

• iPad Air 2
• iPad Mini 4

Affected iPhones and iPod:

• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone SE (1st generation)
• iPod touch (7th generation – the last one!)

Apps generally update their minimum supported versions over time as the number of users on old iOS versions shrinks to the point that it no longer is worth the cost (to the company) to keep supporting that version. It sucks for people still using devices that are likely perfectly functional, but that is unfortunately the way of the world.