Is the iPhone X Still Supported in 2026?

Short answer: only barely. The iPhone X can't run iOS 17, 18, 26 or 27. Its last major version is iOS 16. Apple is still releasing occasional security-only updates for it, though. The most recent is iOS 16.7.16 on 11 May 2026. So it isn't completely abandoned, but it's in its final phase, and Apple doesn't say when the fixes will stop.

The facts (checked 16 October 2026)

Apple's security releases page lists iOS 16.7.16 as available for "iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X" and some older iPads, released 11 May 2026. Its security notes show it fixed one issue (CVE-2026-28950). Before that came iOS 16.7.15 (March 2026), 16.7.14 (February 2026) and 16.7.13 (January 2026).

So is it "supported" or not?

It depends on what you mean, and different sites say different things:

• New features and app compatibility: no. The iPhone X is stuck on iOS 16. More and more apps require iOS 17 or later, and some banking and messaging apps eventually drop old versions.
• Security fixes: some, not all. Apple only promises full security coverage for the latest iOS. In its words, not all known issues are fixed in older versions. iOS 16 updates have become rare and small. In 2026 there were only a few, and two had no published CVE entries at all.
• No end date. Apple doesn't announce when a device stops getting fixes. Some trackers have labelled the iPhone X "unsupported" since iOS 17 arrived in 2023. That's fair for features, but it's contradicted by Apple shipping iOS 16 patches into 2026.

We previously listed the iPhone X as fully dead. We have corrected that to ending in our database: it still gets occasional security patches, but its days are numbered.

Should you keep using an iPhone X?

• Install iOS 16.7.16 now: Settings → General → Software Update.
• It's acceptable as a secondary phone. For banking, work email, DigiD or a child's main phone, an iPhone that runs iOS 27 (iPhone 11 or newer) is a much safer choice.
• Don't buy a used iPhone X in 2026 except as a cheap spare. An iPhone 13 or newer gives you years of full support.

Check the live status on our iPhone X page, and compare it with the iPhone XS / XR and iPhone 8, which are in the same position.

Buying a used replacement?

A cheap used phone can still be a bad deal if it is Activation-Locked, reported stolen, carrier-locked or close to its own end-of-support date. Our own guide, Safe to Buy Used? The Second-Hand Phone & Gadget Checklist, walks you through every check before you pay. It is a paid PDF we make ourselves; checking a model on our device list stays free.

For a replacement with years of support left, see our ranking of the best used or refurbished phones to buy in 2026.

Looking for a replacement with years of updates left? Compare prices for iPhone 15 at bol.com or iPhone 16 at bol.com (search results; check the seller, condition and warranty before you buy).

Affiliate disclosure: bol.com links are affiliate links; we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.

Sources

• Apple, Apple security releases (checked 16 Oct 2026)
• Apple, About the security content of iOS 16.7.16 (11 May 2026)
• Apple, About iOS 16 updates