How to See Which iPhone Apps Are No Longer Updated

This guide shows you how to find which of your iPhone apps are no longer receiving updates from their developers. You’ll learn to check app compatibility, identify outdated apps in your library, and understand what “no longer updated” really means. No special tools are needed—just your iPhone and a few minutes.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 15 or later (the App Store’s “App Compatibility” section appears in iOS 15+).
Your Apple ID password or Face ID/Touch ID if you need to reinstall an app.
Sufficient storage space if you plan to reinstall apps.

Step-by-Step

Open the App Store on your iPhone. Tap the App Store icon on your home screen.
Tap your profile icon (the circular avatar) in the top-right corner of the App Store home screen.
Scroll down to the “Upcoming Automatic Updates” section. This shows apps that have pending updates. If an app is not listed here, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s abandoned—it might just be up to date.
Check the “App Compatibility” section (if you see it). On iOS 15 and later, the App Store shows a warning like “App Compatibility: This app is no longer compatible with your device.” That’s a clear sign the developer has stopped updating it for your iOS version.
Search for the app manually. Tap the Search tab at the bottom, type the app’s name, and open its product page. Scroll to the “Information” section. If the “Last Updated” date is years old, the app is likely no longer actively maintained.
Check your purchased apps list. Go to your profile → “Purchased” → “My Purchases.” Look for apps that show a cloud icon (not installed) or an “Open” button (installed). If an app is missing from the list entirely, it might have been removed from the App Store—another sign of abandonment.
Use the “Not on This iPhone” filter. In the Purchased list, tap “Not on This iPhone” to see apps you own but haven’t installed. If an app shows a gray cloud icon with a line through it, it may be unavailable for your device due to lack of updates.
Check app details for “Requires iOS”. On an app’s product page, scroll to “Information” and look for “Compatibility.” If it says “Requires iOS 13.0 or later” but you’re on iOS 17, the app might still run, but if the “Last Updated” date is older than your iOS version, it likely hasn’t been optimized for your current OS.
Look for “Developer” links. Tap the developer’s name to see their other apps. If the developer has no recent releases or updates, that’s a strong indicator they’ve stopped supporting their older apps.
Try opening the app. If an app crashes on launch or shows a “This app is no longer supported” message, that’s the definitive sign it’s been abandoned.

Common Mistakes

Assuming “No Updates” means “Broken.” Some apps are “feature-complete” and don’t need frequent updates—they still work fine. The absence of updates alone isn’t proof of abandonment.
Confusing “Not Compatible” with “No Updates.” An app can be updated regularly but still not support your older iPhone model. Check the “Compatibility” section separately.
Ignoring the “Last Updated” date. Developers sometimes update apps without bumping the visible date? No, they don’t—the date reflects the last release. But a date that’s 2 years old might still be fine for a simple utility.
Forgetting about “Offloaded” apps. Offloading removes the app but keeps its data. The App Store might show it as “Not on This iPhone” even though you have it installed. Check your home screen.
Relying only on the “Upcoming Automatic Updates” list. That list only shows apps with pending updates—not apps that are outdated. To see outdated apps, you need to check each app individually.

Tips

Use the “Last Updated” date as a rough guide. If an app hasn’t been updated in over 2 years, it’s likely abandoned, especially if it’s a complex app that would need compatibility fixes for new iOS versions.
Check the app’s “What’s New” section. If the last update notes say “Bug fixes and performance improvements,” that’s generic—but if the last update was years ago, it’s a red flag.
Look for a “Support” link on the app’s page. If the developer’s website is dead or the support email bounces, the app is likely dead too.
Search for the app on the web. A quick Google search for “app name discontinued” can reveal news about the developer shutting down.
Keep a list of apps you rely on. If you depend on an app for work or daily tasks, check its update status every few months so you have time to find alternatives.
Consider “ABANDONED” apps that still work. If an app is no longer updated but works fine on your current iOS, you can keep using it—just be aware that a future iOS update might break it.

Troubleshooting

You can’t find the “App Compatibility” section. This section only appears if an app is actually incompatible with your device. If you don’t see it, your apps are likely compatible—but that doesn’t mean they’re updated. Use the “Last Updated” date instead.
The app’s page says “This app is currently not available in your country or region.” That’s not about updates—it’s about regional availability. Check if the app is available in your App Store region.
You see a “Download” button but the app won’t install. This can happen if the app is no longer compatible with your iOS version. The App Store might show an error like “Cannot Install” or “This app is no longer compatible with your device.”
You can’t find an app in your Purchased list. If you’re sure you bought it, try signing out of the App Store and signing back in. If it still doesn’t appear, it might have been removed from the App Store entirely—but you can still access it from your purchase history on a device that runs an older iOS.
The app crashes after a recent iOS update. That’s a sign the developer hasn’t updated the app to support the new iOS. Check the App Store for an update—if there isn’t one, the app is effectively abandoned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does “no longer updated” mean the app is unsafe?

Not necessarily. Security vulnerabilities can go unpatched, but many simple apps (like a flashlight or a unit converter) don’t handle sensitive data and are still safe to use. If an app accesses your contacts, camera, or financial info, lack of updates is more concerning.

Can I still download an app that’s no longer updated?

Yes, if it’s still on the App Store and compatible with your device. You can download it, but it won’t receive new features or bug fixes. If it’s been removed from the store, you can’t download it unless you’ve purchased it before.

Why did the developer stop updating the app?

Common reasons include the developer moving on to other projects, the app no longer generating revenue, or the developer going out of business. Sometimes an app is replaced by a newer version.

How can I tell if an app is “abandoned” vs just “stable”?

Look at the “Last Updated” date. If it’s been more than 2 years and the app has a simple function, it might just be stable. If it’s a complex app (like a social media client) and hasn’t been updated in 6 months, it’s likely abandoned.

Will my phone automatically stop running apps that are no longer updated?

No, apps don’t stop working just because they’re not updated. They’ll keep running until a future iOS update breaks compatibility. Apple doesn’t force-close old apps.

Can I force an app to update?

No, you can’t force a developer to release an update. You can only wait. If the app is truly abandoned, your only option is to find an alternative.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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