The statement indicates a minimum operating system prerequisite for a specific software program to function correctly on Apple mobile devices. This means the application is engineered to utilize features and functionalities present in iOS version 10.0 and subsequent releases. Older versions of the operating system lack the necessary framework, potentially leading to instability, crashes, or complete failure of the application. For example, an app utilizing a new Apple Push Notification Service feature introduced in iOS 10 would be incompatible with iOS 9.
Adhering to these specified operating system requirements ensures optimal performance, security, and access to the latest features. Developers target a specific iOS version to leverage improvements in the software development kit (SDK), enabling more efficient code and access to advanced APIs. Historically, these requirements evolve as Apple releases new versions of iOS with enhancements in areas like graphics processing, security protocols, and user interface elements. By requiring a recent operating system, developers can provide a richer and more secure user experience, while also streamlining their development efforts.