Brijesh Desai 
Apple Drops 16 Devices from 2026 Updates: Apple discontinues 16 older devices from 2026 software updates including iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and tvOS 27. Intel Macs, iPads from 2018-2019, Apple Watch Series 6-8, Apple TV HD/4K Gen 1 all dropped. New updates require newer chips.
Apple has officially dropped 16 devices from 2026 software updates due to chip requirements, discontinuing compatibility for older Intel-based Macs, select iPads, Apple Watches, and Apple TV models. The devices won’t receive iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and tvOS 27 when they roll out later in 2026.
This announcement came at WWDC 2026 last week, with public releases expected later this year.
Why Apple Dropped These Devices
The main reason is chip requirements:
Older chips can’t run the new AI-powered features and system improvements.
Complete List: 16 Devices Dropped from 2026 Updates
iPad Devices (4 devices)
Apple Watch Devices (3 devices)
Intel-Based Macs (6 devices)
Apple TV Devices (2 devices)
Key Changes by System
macOS 27 Golden Gate: Intel Macs Completely Dropped
macOS 27 only supports Apple Silicon chips, meaning all Intel-based Macs are excluded.
Intel Macs that won’t get macOS 27:
- MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, 4 Thunderbolt)
- MacBook Air (2020, Intel)
- iMac (2019, 21.5-inch)
- iMac (2020, 27-inch)
- Mac Pro (2019)
This is a major shift — Apple is fully transitioning to Apple Silicon-only macOS support.
iPadOS 27: 2017-2019 iPads Dropped
Older iPads from 2017-2019 won’t receive iPadOS 27.
iPad devices that won’t get iPadOS 27:
- iPad Air (2019)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen, 2018)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen, 2018)
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch (2017)
These iPads have A10X or A12 chips that don’t meet new requirements.
watchOS 27: Apple Watch Series 6-8 Dropped
Three older Apple Watch models won’t receive watchOS 27.
Apple Watch devices that won’t get watchOS 27:
- Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)
- Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)
- Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)
Only Apple Watch Series 9 and newer (with S9 chip) will get watchOS 27.
tvOS 27: Apple TV HD and 4K Gen 1 Dropped
Two Apple TV models are excluded from tvOS 27.
Apple TV devices that won’t get tvOS 27:
Apple TV HD (2015)
Apple TV 4K (1st gen, 2017)
Only Apple TV 4K (2nd gen, 2021) and newer (with A12 chip) will get tvOS 27.
Devices That WILL Get 2026 Updates
iPhone Devices Getting iOS 27 (Full List)
Despite dropping 16 devices on other platforms, iPhone 11 and newer still get iOS 27:
Apple Intelligence (AI) requires iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
What About iPadOS 27?
Devices that WILL get iPadOS 27 include:
- iPad (10th gen, 2022) with A14 chip
- iPad Air (2020, 4th gen) with A12 chip
- iPad Air (2022, 5th gen) with M1 chip
- iPad Pro (2018+) with A12X or M1+ chips
- iPad Mini (2021, 6th gen) with A15 chip
Basically, 2020+ iPads with A12+ chips get iPadOS 27.
What About watchOS 27?
Devices that WILL get watchOS 27 include:
- Apple Watch Series 9 (2023) with S9 chip
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023) with S9 chip
- Apple Watch Series 10 (2024) with S10 chip
- Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) with S10 chip
Only Apple Watch Series 9 and newer get watchOS 27.
What About macOS 27?
Devices that WILL get macOS 27 include:
- MacBook Air (2020, M1)
- MacBook Air (2022, M2)
- MacBook Air (2024, M3)
- MacBook Pro (2020, M1)
- MacBook Pro (2021, M1 Pro/Max)
- MacBook Pro (2023, M2 Pro/Max)
- MacBook Pro (2024, M3 Pro/Max)
- iMac (2021, M1)
- iMac (2023, M3)
- iMac (2024, M3)
- Mac mini (2020, M1)
- Mac mini (2023, M2)
- Mac mini (2024, M3)
- Mac Studio (2023, M2 Max/Ultra)
- Mac Studio (2024, M3 Max/Ultra)
- Mac Pro (2023, M2 Max)
Only Apple Silicon Macs get macOS 27 — no Intel.
What About tvOS 27?
Devices that WILL get tvOS 27 include:
- Apple TV 4K (2nd gen, 2021) with A12 chip
- Apple TV 4K (3rd gen, 2023) with A15 chip
- Apple TV 4K (4th gen, 2025) with A17 chip
Only 2021+ Apple TV 4K models get tvOS 27.
Timeline: When Will This Happen?
Current software versions will continue to work, but no new updates will be available after 2026 releases.
What Happens If You’re Using a Dropped Device?
You’ll Still Have:
- Current OS version (works fine)
- Apps you already installed
- Access to iMessage, FaceTime, etc.
- Basic functionality
You’ll LOSE:
- No new iOS/iPadOS/watchOS/macOS/tvOS updates
- No Apple Intelligence features (AI)
- No new Siri capabilities
- No parental control improvements
- Eventually, app compatibility issues (as apps update to require new OS)
Security Implications:
- Older devices won’t get security patches in future updates
- Potential vulnerability to new threats
- Eventually, apps may stop working
Why This Happens (The Real Reason)
Apple drops devices for several reasons:
The chip requirements are the stated reason — newer chips handle AI and performance demands better.
The Bottom Line
Apple has dropped 16 devices from 2026 software updates due to chip requirements: 4 iPads (2017-2019), 3 Apple Watches (Series 6-8), 6 Intel Macs (2019-2020), and 2 Apple TVs (2015-2017). macOS 27 only supports Apple Silicon, completely dropping Intel Macs. iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, and tvOS 27 also require newer chips. Public releases expected in Fall 2026, announced at WWDC 2026 last week. iPhone 11 and newer still get iOS 27, but Apple Intelligence requires iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
Quick Summary
Apple dropped 16 devices from 2026 updates (iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, tvOS 27) due to chip requirements. Dropped: 4 iPads (iPad Air 2019, iPad Pro 11″ 2018, iPad Pro 12.9″ 2018, iPad Pro 10.5″ 2017), 3 Apple Watches (Series 6-8: 2020-2022), 6 Intel Macs (MacBook Pro 16″ 2019, MacBook Pro 13″ 2019, MacBook Air 2020 Intel, iMac 2019 21.5″, iMac 2020 27″, Mac Pro 2019), 2 Apple TVs (HD 2015, 4K Gen 1 2017). macOS 27 only supports Apple Silicon (no Intel). iPhone 11+ still get iOS 27, but Apple Intelligence requires iPhone 15 Pro+. Public release Fall 2026, announced at WWDC 2026.