The iPhone XR was one of Apple’s most popular devices, appealing to customers with its roomy screen, range of bright colour choices and high-tech camera. In the 7 years since its release, the iPhone world has moved on to newer things, but many fans are still hanging on to their beloved iPhone XRs. You may even be considering buying a used iPhone XR for significant savings over a new phone.
In either case, you’re probably wondering if the iPhone XR is still supported in 2025, and what apps are compatible with the iPhone XR. With the release of iOS 26 this fall (yes Apple is jumping from the current iOS18 to iOS26), another generation of iPhones will find themselves locked out of the newest iOS version – the iPhone XR included. But don’t toss your device just yet!
In this article we’ll explain everything you need to know about iOS support timelines, iPhone XR app compatibility, and why being on an older version of iOS might not be such a bad thing.
Understanding iOS compatibility and support timelines
Apple schedules a new major iOS release every year, in the fall. As iPhones get older, Apple stops including them in those updates. Most iPhones have a life cycle of 5 to 7 iOS updates, or 6 to 8 years of support, with an average of 7 years.
When Apple announces a new iOS release (like iOS 26 in 2025), it will also announce which phones will and won’t be eligible for that latest update. If a phone is not eligible, it won’t get any more major iOS versions past that cut-off date, although it will continue to receive security updates for some time.
Phones that are one major iOS version behind fall into what we call the Goldilocks zone – not too old, not too new, but just right. These devices don’t get the latest features, but they remain secure and fully compatible with most apps.
If you're not chasing the latest updates, buying a phone that’s in or soon to enter the Goldilocks zone is often the most affordable sweet spot. You’ll avoid the premium price of the latest model while still getting security and app coverage that meets everyday needs.
App developers generally support at least the current and previous iOS versions, so being one step behind usually means all your apps continue to run smoothly. Similarly, Apple seems to prioritize full security support for the two most recent iOS versions, though older ones may get limited patches.
In September 2024, no phones entered the Goldilocks zone because all iPhones that supported iOS 17 also support iOS 18. But when iOS 26 is released in fall 2025, the iPhone XS/XS Max and the iPhone XR will be “Goldilocks phones.”
iOS support timeline for the iPhone XR
Released in 2018, the iPhone XR received annual iOS updates through 2024, with iOS 18 marking its final major software update. With the release of the next version, iOS 26, the iPhone XR will cease to be supported. That means it was compatible with the latest iOS version for 7 years from the time of its release (from fall 2018 to fall 2025), comparable to phones from the same and adjacent generations, like the iPhone X and XS.
So the iPhone XR won’t be able to upgrade to iOS 26 in 2025, and will be “stuck” on iOS 18. But that doesn’t mean your iPhone XR is at end of life – rather, it will be in the “Goldilocks Zone” we described above. You’ll still receive security updates from Apple for at least another year or two. Crucially, almost all apps should continue to function during that time.
Older phones like the iPhone X will progressively lose compatibility with apps, since these phones are not compatible with iOS 18.
Do you need your iPhone XR to work with a specific app? Try Orchard’s App Compatibility Checker. It’s a super helpful little tool that tells you what iOS version you’ll need for over 200 popular apps, and recommends compatible iPhones.
What still works on the iPhone XR in 2025
Up until fall 2025, when iOS 26 launches, your iPhone XR remains fully up-to-date and compatible with all apps. After that, it’ll be in the above-described "Goldilocks zone," meaning it won't receive new iOS features in 2025 but will continue to support nearly all existing apps for at least another year or two.
Even beyond this phase, essential day-to-day functions will work, as they do on most older iPhones. You'll still be able to make calls, send texts, and use services like FaceTime and iMessage. Other key features such as browsing the web with Safari, capturing photos and videos with the Camera app, using Siri, Apple Pay will all remain operational for years to come.
In short, the iPhone XR will continue to offer dependable functionality for your everyday needs, even if it’s not running the latest version of iOS. And since Apple continues security updates even for older phones, it’ll continue to protect you and your data online.
Apps that will lose support first
Most apps maintain compatibility with at least one or two iOS versions behind the current one. But high-security or high-tech apps, which rely on delicate security infrastructure or modern phone features, may drop support for older versions sooner than most. Microsoft Outlook, Google Chrome and ChatGPT, for example, all require at least iOS 17 to run at the time of writing.
If there’s a critical app you’re worried may not be supported on your iPhone XR, search it up with Orchard’s App Compatibility Tracker.
These days, even if an app isn’t compatible with your iOS version, the App Store may allow you to download an older version of that app that is compatible with your phone. Netflix, Amazon, Microsoft Outlook and many other popular apps take advantage of this feature. But be aware that with an older app version, you may not be able to use the latest features or have complete security protection, and you may run into bugs and other issues.
Apps likely to keep working for a while
While some newer apps are beginning to require iOS 17 or later, many categories of apps continue to support older versions for years. eBook readers, for example, tend to have excellent long-term iOS support – apps like Kindle and Libby still run on iOS 15.
Lightweight puzzle games, journaling tools, to-do lists, and utilities (like calculators, timers, or file viewers) also tend to remain compatible long after a device stops receiving iOS updates.
In fact, 25% of apps in our database still work on iOS 15 or earlier, including well-known apps like Reddit, Amazon, Google Maps, Nord VPN, X (formerly Twitter), Evernote and Yahoo Weather. Many developers are committed to long-term support for older iOS versions.
So even beyond the Goldilocks zone, you’ll likely find that core tools, reading apps, note-taking apps, and non-intensive games continue to work reliably with your iPhone XR.
