Niantic has announced that Pokémon GO support will end for the iPhone 5 and a few older iPad models with its next update to the game.
The news from the Pokémon GO blog revealed that the next update will end support for Apple devices that are not capable of upgrading to the iOS 11 software. This includes the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c devices.
Niantic plans to release the Pokémon GO update next month on Feb. 28. The iOS devices that will see the end of support for the mobile game include two iPhone models and four iPads. All the devices will be models released between 2011 and 2013.
Check out the full list of products below:
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
- 4th generation iPad
- 3rd generation iPad
- 1st generation iPad mini
- iPad 2
Reports say trainers with affected iPhones or iPads will not be able to access their game account, use their PokéCoins, or other items in their inventory. Users will be with limited options and must get a new device that can update to iOS 11 to continue playing Pokémon GO.
Why Discontinue Support?
Niantic has revealed that the reason behind discontinuing some iPhone support is based on improvements to the mobile game with the higher-end hardware.
The gaming company has made steady improvements to the game since its launch in 2016. They’ve added additional catchable Pokémon, weather systems, and the AR+ feature.
This latest update takes full advantage of the most recent devices' hardware. AR+ uses Apple’s ARKit for iPhone 6s and newer and lets users bring Pokémon to the real world. This means developers can add all-new AR+ mode with far more advanced augmented reality features.
The feature lets players really bring the Pokémon to the world around them. When AR+ is active, gamers will see animated grass in the game on the ground of the area they are in. Tapping the grass will force the creature to appear, and users will be able to catch the fictional monster.
Players can move the camera around, inch closer to the creature, and even turn away the viewfinder, and the Pokémon will stay in place. There is also a cool feature that lets gamers sneak up on the Pokémon and catch it by surprise, but being careful is necessary, as a detection meter will appear and flash red if they move too quickly.
Unfortunately, this type of play isn’t as grand on older model iPhones, which don’t have the hardware. However, even with iOS 11, there have been a few technical issues with the mobile game.
Players have found that some of game's accessories are not working with the most recent update. According to reports, the Pokémon GO Plus accessory won’t connect or does not respond as it should.
