ITVX, the streaming service that replaced ITV Hub, will soon stop working on Apple’s older mobile devices – and will only be supported on devices with iOS 14 or later.
This means that ITVX will no longer work on bygone devices like the iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, iPad Mini 3 and more (see the full list below).
- October 1 Update: The ITVX App is now down for many additional iOS devices – here’s what we know so far.
And even though these devices are quite old by now (the iPhone 6 was released in 2014), with Apple’s devices being so popular, many people across the UK surely still own and use them.
The good news? Even though iOS 14 is already listed as a requirement for the ITVX app, ITV confirmed to us that support would be dropped from the end of August 2023 – so you have until then to check your options.
With this upcoming change, older Apple devices join a growing list of devices that don’t support ITV’s streaming app – from popular Freeview boxes like the Humax FVP-5000t, to Freesat boxes like the Humax Hb1000s, and older Smart TVs from Samsung and other manufacturers.
What Is ITVX?
ITVX, which launched late last year, is a free-to-watch (with adverts) service that replaced the long-running ITV Hub app, and is now a full-fledged streaming destination.
In addition to the on-demand content, you can also stream all of ITV’s live channels via the app, as well as several “themed” ad-supported live channels that are dedicated to a single series or theme (but not on Freeview Play devices and TVs).
Later this year, ITV is planning to close its long-running children’s channel – CITV – with its programmes moving to a special section of ITVX. Therefore, without the ITVX app, kids won’t be able to watch most of ITV’s children’s content anymore.
ITVX is a free streaming service first and foremost (with adverts), but it also has an optional Premium tier that removes most (but not all) of the adverts – and also gives you access to content from BritBox.
ITVX also recently announced that another standalone streaming service – Studio Canal Presents – would be added as a perk to ITVX Premium later this year.
ITVX Premium costs £5.99/month or £59.99/year.
ITVX is available on most of the streaming devices and Smart TVs sold in the UK, as well as on Virgin Media’s TV boxes, Sky Glass, Sky Stream – and, it was recently added to Sky Q as well.
It’s also available on most mobile devices – such as Android phones (with Android version 5.0 and up) and tablets, as well as iOS phones and tablets – although that list will now get smaller.
Older iPhones And iPads Losing ITVX
ITV recently updated its list of devices that are compatible with the ITVX app. Until last week, that list included Apple devices with iOS 12.2 or later – but that has since changed to iOS 14 or later.
Regarding this change, an ITV spokesperson told Cord Busters:
“From the end of August 2023, ITVX will be available on Apple mobile devices running on OS 14 and above, and will no longer support devices on OS 12 and 13.
“These older devices and operating systems have technical constraints which limit our ambitions for the highest quality ITVX viewing experience.”
This means that from August, ITVX will no longer be supported on the following Apple phones (since they don’t support iOS 14) –
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 4s
- iPhone 4
Older iPhone models will also not be supported, naturally.
Furthermore, these older tablets also don’t support iOS 14 – therefore ITVX will stop working on them as well:
- iPad mini 3
- iPad mini 2
- iPad mini (1st generation)
- iPad Air 1
- iPod touch 6th generation
Again, if your tablet / iPod touch is even older than the ones listed here – then it will also not support ITVX.
Every iOS device that does support iOS 14 (so basically iPhone 6s and above), will continue to support ITVX for the time being.
Brilliant!! Well done ITV.
I can’t watch my fav ITV programmes on my sleepover shifts anymore because those of us with perfect working but older devices have been forced out. I’m not forking out for a new one, I’ll just watch other platforms now.
Thankfully Netflix is still working.
My ipad is running on 16.7 but still can’t access the ITV app. I am really disappointed that ITV have seen fit to discriminate against those of us who are using older devices, regardless of whether they are using the latest operating system. There was no warning either. I am halfway through a series but have no intention of replacing and ipad air 2, an ipad pro and an iphone 13, just to finish it.
I wonder if their advertisers are aware that ITV have just reduced their viewing figures!
I have iPad running 16.6 @ itv x still doesn’t work
I have an iPad with iOS 16.6 and I still can’t get ITVX !!
My ipad is iOS 16 why is my ipad been cancelled
Well thanks a lot ITV….it was not very long ago that your decision makers clapped for us poorly paid care workers…or maybe they didn’t..
I hope for their sakes that when they are old and infirm they get someone like me looking after them and not like them!
I love my old iPad and value it like a friend, without whom I would be bereft. It is my television, radio, and I rely on it for shopping. If I can’t watch ITV on it anymore, and I won’t be the only one, it will be disappointing, but that is all. Maybe if thousands of viewers deserted in droves, ITV would reconsider?
I totally agree. Why should I buy a new iPad just to watch ITVX. They will just lose viewers
I agree with all comments on this subject. Seems Apple have colluded with ITV so they gain even more sales. Surely to upgrade is hardly a green option.
If ITV and their advertisers don’t want viewers then that is just fine by me. There is plenty of other content on BBC and Channel 4. I am not throwing away a perfectly good device just to watch ITV
I’d agree with other commenters that ruling out many people from a product when we should be encouraging people to get every last second out of a device is unacceptable. It is not just ITV. Fine, make a new app for more recent iOS, but at least keep a version of the app available for those who are constrained to iOS 12.x etc. All I will do is turn away from ITV; your loss, not mine.
Agree totally. It can’t be beyond the wit of Apple to upgrade on any device. Sheer greed.
I totally agree with you David Norris! I found this info while trying to find out why ITVx wouldn’t load on my iPad Mini 2.
Think this is outrageous forcing people to update perfectly serviceable devices at a time when finances are extremely tight, this includes tv’s as well as these mobile devices, ITVX are discrimating against the lowest paid in our society, if I understand correctly their reason for this is so we get the best viewing experience, how many people will have no viewing experience at all simply because they cannot afford to update?
Also the ecological impact of disposing of perfectly good electronic devices. And the fact that lithium resources are not infinite. Disgusting ITV.