iPhone XS Officially Joins Apple’s Vintage List: What You Should Know

In the fast-moving world of technology, even five years can feel like a lifetime. And now, another familiar face is stepping into retirement—Apple has officially labeled the iPhone XS as a "vintage" device. While this doesn’t spell immediate doom for your phone, it’s a clear sign that its days of full support are numbered.

What Is Apple’s Vintage List?

Apple categorizes its products into two post-sale timelines: vintage and obsolete. Devices land on the vintage list once Apple has stopped selling them for five to seven years. During this period, limited repair support is still available—mostly contingent on parts availability.

As of mid-2025, the iPhone XS, launched in 2018 and discontinued in 2020, has officially joined that list. Other recent additions include the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 series, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone 6S Plus.

What Happens When a Device Becomes Vintage?

For now, the change is more of a gentle nudge than a hard stop. Here’s what it means for iPhone XS owners:

• Hardware Repairs: Apple-authorized repair centers may still fix your phone, if they have the required parts in stock. However, those parts will become harder to find over the next couple of years.
  
  

• Software Updates: Apple will likely stop supporting the iPhone XS with major iOS updates by the end of 2025. The current iOS 18 will be its last full upgrade, with no support for iOS 26.

The Countdown to Obsolescence

After two years on the vintage list, products become “obsolete,” meaning no hardware support and no software updates—even from third-party repair shops. For iPhone XS users, this deadline will arrive in late 2027.

If your phone experiences a hardware issue after that point, your options will be limited—and expensive. That’s why Apple’s classification is less of a warning and more of a grace period to plan your next upgrade wisely.

If you're considering moving to a new iPhone or even switching to an Android device, Smart Transfer can be your best phone backup companion in this transition. 

Smart Transfer is a third-party file-sharing and phone migration app that lets you transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps, and more from one device to another. It's fast, secure, and works seamlessly across both Android and iOS. It is one of the best bookmark manager apps out there as well. 

With Apple sunsetting support for older iPhones, Smart Transfer’s data restore feature ensures your memories and data travel with you, no matter where you go next. Whether you're shifting to the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup or exploring alternatives, Smart Transfer makes device upgrades effortless and stress-free.

Do You Need to Replace Your iPhone XS Now?

Not necessarily. Your iPhone XS will still function just fine for everyday tasks for the next few months. But here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:

• Until November 2025: Likely to receive minimal security updates.
  
  

• Repair Support: Available, but dependent on remaining inventory.
  
  

• App Compatibility: Gradually, newer apps may stop supporting older iOS versions.

So, while there’s no urgent need to replace your phone today, planning an upgrade by early 2026 would be a wise move.

Final Thoughts

Time catches up with every piece of tech, and the iPhone XS is no exception. Its addition to Apple’s vintage list marks the beginning of its final chapter. While it may still serve you well for now, this is a great opportunity to plan ahead—and ensure that when you’re ready to upgrade, your data moves with you.

Thanks to solutions like Smart Transfer, changing your device doesn’t have to mean losing your digital life. Instead, it can be a smooth and empowering step forward.