Apple has in a support document known will stop creating and storing iCloud backups, also known as backups, for devices running iOS 8 or older starting December 18. This was already the case for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad with iOS 5 or older.
This means that users with an iPhone 4 or older, iPod Touch 4th generation or older, and the first generation iPad will no longer be able to back up to iCloud or restore them online. Manually backing up on a Mac or PC is still possible.
iCloud backups are limited to iOS 8
Starting December 18, 2024, device backups in iCloud will require iOS 9 or later. Until this date, you can still use the service and sync backups of your iPhone or iPad with iCloud. After that, the backup data will be deleted unless you update your device (if possible) to iOS 9 or later.
If your device is already running updated software, no action is required. If you have devices running iOS 5 through iOS 8 after December 18, 2024, the following applies:
- You cannot create new backups for these devices.
- Your existing backups of these devices will no longer be accessible.
All apps, data, and content on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch remain on your device. To continue using iCloud Backup, you’ll need to update your iPhone or iPad to iOS 9 or later. You can also manually backup your device to a Mac or PC using iTunes or Finder.
More information can be found on the Apple support page.