Ask HN: How do you install not the latest iOS version?

#1

Post by laurentlassalle » Sun, Jan 08, 2023, 9:51 PM UTC

I would like to change the minimum deployment target of my iOS app and update my testing device from iOS 13 to 14 (instead of 16).

How do other iOS developers handle it? I really don't want to rely on the iOS simulator.

Re: Ask HN: How do you install not the latest iOS version?

#2

Post by mensetmanusman » Sun, Jan 08, 2023, 10:10 PM UTC

“One does not _simply_ not install the latest iOS” -Boromir

Biggest flaw of iOS in my experience, I have lost over $1000 in apps not operable due to iOS updates. The apps work fine on my older iOS version devices which have since died due to battery issues.

Re: Ask HN: How do you install not the latest iOS version?

#3

Post by drewbitt » Sun, Jan 08, 2023, 10:12 PM UTC

You cannot on real hardware; Apple stops signing old OSes and there’s nothing you can do. Even recent jailbreaks haven’t gotten around this. You can extend the signing period a bit by using delayOTA https://dhinakg.github.io/delayed-otas.html

Re: Ask HN: How do you install not the latest iOS version?

#4

Post by mobilio » Sun, Jan 08, 2023, 10:33 PM UTC

Using few devices with old iOS.

I'm currently running one device on 14.8.1, other on 15.X and third on latest.

Re: Ask HN: How do you install not the latest iOS version?

#5

Post by TazeTSchnitzel » Sun, Jan 08, 2023, 10:45 PM UTC

One way to work around Apple forcing you to upgrade to the latest version is to buy older devices that are no longer supported. The iPhone 7 for example can't be upgraded past iOS 15.

Unfortunately for this strategy, Apple tend to drop support for several devices at once, so there's no device whose final version is iOS 14, for example. With that said, if you're desperate, you could get new-in-box old devices, assuming those devices can still be activated (not all can).

Re: Ask HN: How do you install not the latest iOS version?

#6

Post by Sunspark » Sun, Jan 08, 2023, 10:46 PM UTC

mensetmanusman wrote: post #2

“One does not _simply_ not install the latest iOS” -Boromir Biggest flaw of iOS in my experience, I have lost over $1000 in apps not operable due to iOS updates. The apps work fine on my older iOS version devices which have since died due to battery issues.

You could have a new battery installed.

Re: Ask HN: How do you install not the latest iOS version?

#7

Post by SwiftyBug » Sun, Jan 08, 2023, 11:00 PM UTC

Sunspark wrote: post #6

mensetmanusman wrote: post #2

“One does not _simply_ not install the latest iOS” -Boromir Biggest flaw of iOS in my experience, I have lost over $1000 in apps not operable due to iOS updates. The apps work fine on my older iOS version devices which have since died due to battery issues.

You could have a new battery installed.

I can't. The screw won't come out. I've tried two different repair shops and none of them were able to remove one of the bottom screws to open the phone.

Re: Ask HN: How do you install not the latest iOS version?

#8

Post by KoftaBob » Sun, Jan 08, 2023, 11:09 PM UTC

mensetmanusman wrote: post #2

“One does not _simply_ not install the latest iOS” -Boromir Biggest flaw of iOS in my experience, I have lost over $1000 in apps not operable due to iOS updates. The apps work fine on my older iOS version devices which have since died due to battery issues.

I'm curious how you managed to spend $1000 on apps?

Re: Ask HN: How do you install not the latest iOS version?

#9

Post by willcipriano » Sun, Jan 08, 2023, 11:14 PM UTC

SwiftyBug wrote: post #7

Sunspark wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You could have a new battery installed.

I can't. The screw won't come out. I've tried two different repair shops and none of them were able to remove one of the bottom screws to open the phone.

That's screwed up.

Re: Ask HN: How do you install not the latest iOS version?

#10

Post by BOOSTERHIDROGEN » Sun, Jan 08, 2023, 11:16 PM UTC

KoftaBob wrote: post #8

mensetmanusman wrote: post #2

“One does not _simply_ not install the latest iOS” -Boromir Biggest flaw of iOS in my experience, I have lost over $1000 in apps not operable due to iOS updates. The apps work fine on my older iOS version devices which have since died due to battery issues.

I'm curious how you managed to spend $1000 on apps?

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