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Future iOS updates could end support for 32-bit apps

Fresh warnings in last iPhone and iPad update

The latest iOS firmware update warns that certain games need to be updated by their developers or they will not work in the future.

Eurogamer reports that these games include FTL, Baldur's Gate, XCOM: Enemy Within, Doom, Ridiculous Fishing, Super Create Boy and Rayforce.

It is anticipated that the update Apple is referring to is iOS 11, which is expected to drop support for 32-bit apps completely come the latter half of the year. iOS updates in the past have resulted in some games not working, but this update is likely to impact a large number of titles.

When you select a 32-bit app while using the most recent iOS update (released yesterday), the following message is shown: "This app will not work with future versions of iOS. The developer of this app needs to update it to improve its compatibility."

Apple has required 64-bit for its app submissions since February 2015, and in June 2015, it required every update submitted to the iOS store to include a 64-bit code segment. That means the only games impacted will be ones that haven't been updated in over two years.

Apple has no plans to remove 32-bit Apps from its store, as there are a large number of devices that still support them.

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Christopher Dring avatar

Christopher Dring

Head of Games B2B

Chris is a 17-year media veteran specialising in the business of video games. And, erm, Doctor Who