It’s the go-to video app for millions of people around the world. 

But if you use YouTube, you might want to check that the app is still running on your smartphone. 

The Google-owned app has quietly updated its iOS app to version 20.22.1, and now requires iOS 16 or later to install and run. 

That means several older iPhone models are no longer compatible with the app. 

The affected devices are those that cannot upgrade beyond iOS 15. 

So that’s the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and the first-generation iPhone SE. 

Alternatively, if you have an iPod Touch 7, you won’t be able to watch YouTube on that either. 

The news has not gone down well across social media, with one user venting: ‘My iphone 6s is slowly becoming obselete.’

It's the go-to video app for millions of people around the world. But if you use YouTube , you might want to check that the app is still running on your smartphone

It’s the go-to video app for millions of people around the world. But if you use YouTube , you might want to check that the app is still running on your smartphone

YouTube quietly made the change in version 20.22.1, which was released on 2 June. 

On the App Store, YouTube describes this version as having ‘bug fixes, performance improvements, and more cat videos.’

However, in the fine print, it also now states that it requires iOS 16.0 or later to run on iPhone, as well as iPad 16.0 or later to run on iPad. 

Unfortunately, that means the app has been discontinued for the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4. 

Several disgruntled users have taken to X to discuss the news. 

‘WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PLANET I HAVE AN IPHONE 6S,’ one user asked. 

Another wrote: ‘This is strange because the YouTube app is just streaming video from a server, and many devices with much less power can still do that fine.’

And one joked: ‘What a long ride its been, iPhone 6S,’ alongside the saluting emoji. 

The affected devices are those that cannot upgrade beyond iOS 15. So that's the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus (pictured), and the first-generation iPhone SE

The affected devices are those that cannot upgrade beyond iOS 15. So that’s the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus (pictured), and the first-generation iPhone SE

The app has also been discontinued for the iPad Air 2 (pictured) and iPad mini 4

The app has also been discontinued for the iPad Air 2 (pictured) and iPad mini 4

However, others were quick to point out a sneaky loophole – watching YouTube on Safari, rather than through the app. 

‘When stuck you could always just use YouTube on safari like god intended,’ one user suggested. 

Another added: ‘I’ve never used the app. Always from browser.’ 

To make sure you can still use YouTube on your phone, it is essential that you update to at least iOS 16 or higher – even if you are using a newer, compatible device.

To check which operating system you are currently using, simply open the Settings app, select General, and tap on the ‘About’ tab.

Under the heading ‘Version’ you will be able to see the currently installed iteration of iOS.

If you do need to update your iPhone, from Settings navigate to the tab labelled ‘General’ and select ‘Software Update’.

If a newer version of iOS is available, you can press ‘Install Now’ to begin the update.

To ensure you always get the latest software and security updates, you can also consider activating automatic updates by selecting ‘Automatic Updates’ on the ‘Software Update’ page. 

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