The compatibility of Apple’s iOS 14 with specific iPhone and iPod Touch models determined which users could access the operating system’s new features and security updates. This selection encompassed a range of hardware, from relatively recent releases to devices several years old at the time of iOS 14’s launch. For example, the iPhone 6s and iPhone SE (1st generation), despite their age, were included, while older models were excluded due to hardware limitations.
Ensuring that a device could run iOS 14 was crucial for maintaining device security and receiving feature enhancements. The operating system brought significant improvements in areas like widgets, App Library organization, and privacy controls. Moreover, maintaining compatibility extended the lifespan of existing hardware, delaying the need for users to purchase new devices. The iOS 14 rollout followed Apple’s precedent of supporting older devices for a considerable period, a strategy that sets it apart from some competitors.