The Short Answer by iPhone Model
| iPhone | Max iOS | YouTube | Spotify | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 6 / 6 Plus | iOS 12 | ❌ | ❌ | Retire or repurpose only |
| iPhone 6s / SE (1st gen) | iOS 15 | ❌ | ❌ | Secondary use / upgrade if primary |
| iPhone 7 / 7 Plus | iOS 15 | ❌ | ❌ | Secondary use / upgrade if primary |
| iPhone 8 / 8 Plus | iOS 16 | ✅ | ✅ | Viable daily driver if bank works |
| iPhone X | iOS 16 | ✅ | ✅ | Viable daily driver, excellent screen |
| iPhone XS / XR / XS Max | iOS 26 | ✅ | ✅ | Fully current — keep using |
| SE 2nd gen (2020)+ | iOS 26 | ✅ | ✅ | Fully current — keep using |
The Banking App Test
The single most important question when deciding whether to keep an older iPhone is: does your banking app support your iOS version?
Most major UK banks have moved to iOS 16 as their minimum as of 2026 — including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, NatWest, Monzo, Revolut, and Starling. If your bank app no longer works on your device, the phone is no longer viable as a primary device regardless of what else it can do.
To check: open the App Store, search for your bank's app, tap it, scroll to 'Information' → 'Compatibility'. It will say the minimum iOS required.
🏦 Banking app test: Open App Store → search your bank → tap the app → scroll to 'Compatibility'. If it says iOS 16 or higher and your phone runs iOS 15 or below, the app won't work. This is the clearest signal to upgrade.
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus — Retire
The iPhone 6 maxes out at iOS 12. In 2026, the vast majority of apps require iOS 14 or higher. The 6 is no longer useful as a primary device and has very limited functionality as a secondary one. Repurpose it as a music player using local files, or recycle it responsibly.
iPhone 6s, 7, and SE 1st Gen — Secondary Use
All three max out at iOS 15. YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Chrome, Netflix, and most banking apps are no longer available. The iOS 15 workarounds (YouTube/Spotify in Safari) provide limited functionality.
These phones remain functional as: dedicated music players (with Apple Music or local files), travel/secondary devices loaded with offline content, kids' phones for calls and iMessage, or dedicated smart home controls. As a primary daily driver in 2026, the frustration is significant and growing.
See our detailed guides: iPhone 6s · iPhone 7 · iPhone SE 1st gen
iPhone 8 and iPhone X — Viable Daily Drivers
Both max at iOS 16, which keeps YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Chrome, and Netflix all running. If your banking app supports iOS 16 (most do), these phones remain functional as primary devices in 2026.
The iOS 16 ceiling is starting to feel pressure from apps moving to iOS 17+, but as of mid-2026 most mainstream apps still support iOS 16. These phones have 12–24 months of practical life remaining as daily drivers before the exclusions become significant.
See: iPhone 8 guide · iPhone X guide
iPhone XS, XR, 11, SE 2nd Gen and Newer — Fully Current
Any iPhone from the XS (2018) onwards runs iOS 26 and is fully supported. If you own one of these, there is no iOS compatibility concern — keep using it. The iPhone SE 2nd gen (2020) in particular is excellent value refurbished at £90–130 and a natural upgrade from any iOS 15 device. See our iPhone SE 2nd gen guide.
The Smart Upgrade Path
If you're on an iOS 15 device and ready to upgrade, spend £90–130 rather than £500+. The iPhone SE 2nd gen or a refurbished iPhone 11 both run iOS 26, handle every current app, and cost a fraction of a new iPhone. There is no reason to buy a new iPhone to escape iOS 15 limitations — the refurbished market solves this cheaply.
Our verdict
Whether you can still use your old iPhone depends on two things: which iOS version it's stuck on, and whether your banking app still supports it. iOS 12 phones (iPhone 6) should be retired. iOS 15 phones (6s, 7) are best as secondary devices. iOS 16 phones (8, X) remain viable daily drivers. Anything from XS/XR onwards is fully current.
Find apps for your iPhone
Select your device model and iOS version to see exactly what's compatible.
Check your iPhone's compatible apps →Also see: iPhone 8 in 2026 · iPhone 6s in 2026 · iPhone SE 2nd gen — the smart upgrade