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Didn't Get the iOS 17 Update on Your iPhone? This Could Be Why

iOS 17 launched on Monday, but not everyone will get to download it.

katie-conner
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Katie Teague Writer II
Katie is a writer covering all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events. When she's not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.
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Katie Teague
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iOS 17 logo with a phone and blue background

The new version of Apple's mobile operating system will be released Monday.

 James Martin/CNET

iOS 17 was released to download on most iPhones on Monday -- but not everyone got the update. Some older iPhone users were left out of Apple's newest software update, and if you've got an iPhone from 2017 or before, you won't be able to use the new features in iOS 17.

Read more: iOS 17 Is Filled With Delightful Features, Intuitive Improvements

If you aren't sure which iPhone you've got, a quick check in your settings can show you. Open your Settings app and tap General > About. Next to Model Name, you'll see which iPhone you have.

We'll tell you how to find out whether your iPhone is compatible with iOS 17. Also, check out our list of best iPhones to discover if there's a newer model that might work for you. And here's how to preorder the iPhone 15.

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Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 17?

If you've got one of these iPhones, you should now have access to iOS 17, Apple said.

Which iPhone models won't run the new iOS 17?

With the release of iOS 17, there are three more iPhone models that won't run Apple's latest mobile operating system: iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. Apple stopped providing feature upgrades for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 series with the release of iOS 16 last year. Those phones still run iOS 15.

What if your iPhone isn't on the iOS 17 compatibility list?

If your iPhone isn't listed above, it won't support iOS 17, and you won't get a notification to download the newest software. For instance, if you have an iPhone X or iPhone 8, the latest software you'll ever be able to use on that phone is iOS 16.

Although older iPhones won't support the latest version of iOS or get any of the new features, they should still be functional for a while. They will also continue to receive security updates for iOS 16. Apple released the latest security update for iOS 15 in July 2023 and will continue to release iOS 16 security updates in the near future.

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