---
title: "iOS 11 Expected to Drop 32-bit Support, Leaving Around 180,000 Apps Unusable"
locale: "en"
language: "en-HK"
published: "2017-03-21T11:52:06+08:00"
updated: "2026-03-17T23:04:40.284Z"
canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/ios-11-expected-to-drop-32-bit-support-leaving-around-180-000-apps-unusable-189"
---

# iOS 11 Expected to Drop 32-bit Support, Leaving Around 180,000 Apps Unusable

Apple added warnings about 32-bit apps in iOS 10.3 Beta. Overseas media reports suggested that iOS 11 would end support for these apps, potentially affecting around 187,000 apps and games.

## In brief

iOS 11 was expected to drop 32-bit app support, potentially making around 187,000 apps and games unusable. As reported in March 2017, Apple was expected to announce the change at WWDC 2017 in early June.

In the recently released[ iOS](<http://hongkongmobileapps.com>) 10.3 Beta, [Apple](<http://hkmobileapps.com>) added a pop-up warning to notify users that certain [apps](<http://hkmobileapps.com>) are 32-bit and are not supported by their iOS version. Overseas media reports suggest that Apple will formally announce at WWDC 2017, to be held in early June this year, that iOS 11 will drop support for 32-bit applications. For users of [iPhone](<http://webmobileapplicationdevelopment.com>)、[iPad](<http://webmobileapplicationdevelopment.com>) and [iPod touch](<http://webmobileapplicationdevelopment.com>), this means that many apps and games will no longer be usable.

Analytics firm Sensor Tower says that around 8% of apps and games in the iOS ecosystem have yet to be updated and are incompatible with 64-bit [systems](<http://apps-developer-hong-kong.com>), amounting to approximately 187,000 titles. These apps are considered highly likely to be forcibly removed by Apple after iOS 11 launches. Although Apple places great importance on the number of apps in the [App Store](<http://apps-development-hk.com>), it is also willing to take decisive action: around 47,000 apps that had not been updated for a long time were removed in the third quarter of last year.

Apple's support for 64-bit computing on iOS began with the iPhone 5s, announced in September 2013, which was the first smartphone to use a 64-bit processor. In 2015, Apple began strongly encouraging [app developers](<http://hongkongappsdeveloper.com>) to adopt 64-bit technology. Nearly two years have passed since then, providing a substantial transition period.

https://unwire.hk/2017/03/16/180k-app-obsolete-after-ios11/software/ios-app/

 

## Frequently asked questions

### When was Apple expected to announce the end of 32-bit app support?

According to overseas media reports cited in the March 2017 article, Apple was expected to announce the change at WWDC 2017 in early June that year.

### How many apps and games could be affected?

Sensor Tower estimated that around 8% of apps and games in the iOS ecosystem, approximately 187,000 titles, had not been updated to support 64-bit systems.

### What would the change mean for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users?

Many 32-bit apps and games would no longer be usable under iOS 11. The article also predicted that Apple would be highly likely to remove these apps after the release.

### When did Apple begin supporting 64-bit technology on iOS?

Support began with the iPhone 5s, announced in September 2013. Apple began strongly encouraging app developers to adopt 64-bit technology in 2015, giving them nearly two years to transition by the time of the article.