Apple MinimumOSVersion 15.0 Requirement Coming in Spring 2027: What iOS Developers Need to Know
Apple is preparing another important change for developers who publish applications through App Store Connect. Developers are already seeing a warning when an uploaded iOS app uses an older minimum operating system version, such as iOS 13.
The warning says that the app's MinimumOSVersion is too low and that, starting in Spring 2027, iOS apps will need a MinimumOSVersion of 15.0 or later to be uploaded to App Store Connect or submitted for distribution.
If you maintain an iOS application, or if you develop apps with Flutter, this is something worth understanding now rather than waiting until the requirement becomes mandatory.
“MinimumOSVersion too low. This app has a MinimumOSVersion of 13.0. Starting in Spring 2027, all iOS apps must have a MinimumOSVersion of 15.0 or later in order to be uploaded to App Store Connect or submitted for distribution.”
What Is MinimumOSVersion?
MinimumOSVersion is the value that tells the operating system the oldest version of iOS on which an application can run.
For example, if an application has a MinimumOSVersion of 13.0, the developer is declaring that the application supports iOS 13 and newer versions.
In simple terms, this means:
| MinimumOSVersion | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 13.0 | App supports iOS 13 and newer |
| 14.0 | App supports iOS 14 and newer |
| 15.0 | App supports iOS 15 and newer |
| 16.0 | App supports iOS 16 and newer |
Apple describes MinimumOSVersion as the minimum version of the operating system required for an application to run on Apple's platforms. The value is part of the application's build information.
What Is Changing in Spring 2027?
According to the App Store Connect warning, Apple will require iOS applications to have a minimum operating system version of iOS 15.0 or later for uploads and distribution submissions starting in Spring 2027.
That means developers currently targeting iOS 13 or iOS 14 should start planning their migration.
| Minimum iOS Version | After the Spring 2027 requirement |
|---|---|
| iOS 12 | Not allowed for new uploads under this requirement |
| iOS 13 | Not allowed for new uploads under this requirement |
| iOS 14 | Not allowed for new uploads under this requirement |
| iOS 15 | Supported |
| iOS 16 and newer | Supported |
The important part is that this is primarily an App Store submission requirement. It should not be confused with Apple's operating-system update process or with an existing application suddenly changing its minimum supported version.
Does This Mean My Existing App Will Stop Working?
No. Developers should not interpret the warning as meaning that an application currently installed on an older version of iOS will suddenly stop working when the new requirement takes effect.
The bigger concern is future releases. If your existing app supports iOS 13 today and you later release an update with a minimum requirement of iOS 15, users who cannot upgrade their device to iOS 15 may not be able to install that new version.
Why Is Apple Increasing the Minimum iOS Version?
Apple regularly updates the technical requirements for applications distributed through the App Store. As iOS evolves, developers gain access to newer APIs, frameworks, security improvements and development tools.
Supporting very old versions of iOS can also make application development more complicated. Developers may need additional compatibility code, older SDK support and a larger testing matrix.
1. Modern APIs and Frameworks
Newer iOS releases introduce APIs and system capabilities that are not available on older operating systems. Raising the minimum deployment target allows developers to use more modern functionality without maintaining as many fallback paths.
2. Easier Testing
Supporting fewer operating-system versions can reduce the number of environments developers need to test.
3. Better Compatibility With Modern Tools
Xcode, Apple's SDKs and third-party libraries continue to evolve. Developers increasingly need to keep their projects aligned with current versions of Apple's development tools.
4. Security and Platform Improvements
Newer versions of Apple's operating systems include improvements to security, privacy and system frameworks. Moving away from older operating systems can make long-term maintenance easier.
What Is ITMS-90068?
Developers may also come across the error or warning identifier ITMS-90068 when dealing with minimum operating-system requirements.
The important part of the message is the MinimumOSVersion value reported for the uploaded application.
If you are seeing this message, check your application's deployment target and the actual build that you are uploading to App Store Connect.
How This Affects Flutter Apps
Flutter developers should pay particular attention to this change because the final iOS application generated by Flutter still contains an iOS deployment target.
If your Flutter project is configured for an older iOS version, the resulting application can carry that older minimum operating-system requirement into the App Store submission.
The exact location of the setting can vary between Flutter and Xcode project configurations, so it is better to check the generated iOS project instead of assuming that changing a single file is enough.
How to Change the iOS Deployment Target in Flutter
First, open the iOS workspace from your Flutter project in Xcode.
In Xcode, select the Runner project and review the deployment target under the build settings.
If you are preparing the project for Apple's upcoming requirement, set the minimum supported version to:
You should also review other targets in the project, especially if your application contains notification extensions, widgets or other app extensions.
What About the Flutter Podfile?
Flutter iOS projects commonly use CocoaPods for native dependencies. Your project may therefore contain a platform declaration in the Podfile.
An older project may contain something similar to:
If your project is moving to iOS 15 as its minimum supported version, you may need to update that configuration as well:
However, do not blindly replace every iOS version number in your project. Check the Flutter version, Xcode project, CocoaPods configuration and third-party plugins first.
How to Rebuild a Flutter App After Changing the Version
After updating the deployment target, clean the Flutter project and fetch the dependencies again.
For an App Store release, you should then create a fresh archive and upload the new build to App Store Connect.
How to Check the Actual MinimumOSVersion
One of the most important things to remember is that your source project configuration and the final uploaded binary are what matter.
After uploading a build, check its information in App Store Connect and confirm that the minimum iOS version is what you expected.
This is particularly useful when your project contains several native dependencies, extensions or build configurations.
Should You Change Your App to iOS 15 Now?
There is no single answer that works for every application.
If you are developing a new application, choosing iOS 15 or newer may be a straightforward decision if your target audience and device support allow it.
For an existing application, however, you should first look at your user data and understand how many active users are still running older versions of iOS.
Before raising the deployment target, consider:
- Which iOS versions your current users are running
- Which iPhone and iPad models your customers use
- Your crash and analytics data
- Your Flutter version and Xcode version
- CocoaPods and third-party SDK requirements
- Firebase and other native dependencies
- Payment and authentication functionality
- Push notifications and background features
What Happens to Users on iOS 14?
This is probably the biggest practical concern for developers.
Suppose your current App Store release supports iOS 13. You later publish an update that requires iOS 15.
A user who is permanently limited to iOS 14 may not be able to install the newer version of your application.
This is why developers should check their audience before increasing the minimum supported iOS version.
What Should Developers Do Before Spring 2027?
If your application currently uses iOS 13 or iOS 14 as its minimum deployment target, there is no reason to wait until the last moment.
Check Your Current Deployment Target
Open the Xcode project associated with your application and check the iOS Deployment Target.
Review Your Dependencies
Check your Flutter packages, CocoaPods dependencies and native SDKs. Some packages may already require a newer version of iOS.
Test on iOS 15
Test your complete application on a physical device running iOS 15. Pay particular attention to features that depend on native APIs.
Update the Deployment Target
Once you are comfortable dropping support for older versions, update the deployment target to iOS 15 or later.
Create a New Release Build
Build the application again after making the change. Upload the new binary to App Store Connect and verify its build information.
Does This Change the App Version Number?
No. The minimum iOS version and the App Store version number are separate things.
For example, you could have:
Changing the minimum iOS version does not automatically mean that your app must become version 2.0.0. You can choose your normal release version according to the changes included in the update.
What About an App That Is Already Live?
If your app is already live with a minimum iOS version of 13.0, you should not assume that the live version immediately becomes incompatible because of this upcoming requirement.
The important issue is your next builds and future App Store submissions.
If you want to continue releasing updates after the new requirement takes effect, your future builds will need to meet Apple's minimum OS requirement.
Apple Is Also Increasing Other App Store Requirements
The MinimumOSVersion change is part of a broader pattern in Apple's App Store ecosystem. Apple regularly updates the technical requirements for applications submitted through App Store Connect.
For example, Apple currently lists minimum SDK requirements for App Store submissions, including requirements related to newer Xcode and operating-system SDK versions.
Developers should therefore avoid treating App Store submission requirements as something that only needs to be checked when an upload fails. Keeping your Xcode, Flutter project and dependencies reasonably current can make these transitions much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MinimumOSVersion in iOS?
MinimumOSVersion specifies the minimum operating-system version required for an application to run. For an iOS app with a MinimumOSVersion of 15.0, iOS 15 is the oldest supported version.
What does “MinimumOSVersion too low” mean?
It means that the uploaded application declares a minimum operating-system version that is below the requirement associated with the App Store submission.
What is the iOS minimum version requirement for Spring 2027?
The App Store Connect warning states that starting in Spring 2027, iOS apps must have a MinimumOSVersion of 15.0 or later to be uploaded to App Store Connect or submitted for distribution.
Will my existing iOS 13 app stop working in 2027?
The upcoming requirement is about uploading and submitting apps. It does not mean that an already-installed application will automatically stop working when the requirement takes effect.
How do I change the minimum iOS version in Flutter?
Review the iOS deployment target in the Xcode project generated by Flutter and check the related CocoaPods configuration. After making the change, rebuild the iOS application and upload a new build.
Can I continue supporting iOS 14?
Your existing application may continue to support its current minimum iOS version, but future App Store submissions made after the new requirement takes effect will need to meet Apple's minimum version requirement.
Final Thoughts
Apple's upcoming MinimumOSVersion 15.0 requirement is something iOS and Flutter developers should put on their development roadmap.
If your application currently targets iOS 13 or iOS 14, use the time before Spring 2027 to review your users, dependencies and testing process. Moving to iOS 15 should be treated as a planned compatibility change rather than a last-minute App Store submission fix.
The simple takeaway is this: future iOS app uploads and distribution submissions will need to meet Apple's MinimumOSVersion 15.0 requirement once the new rule takes effect.
Official Apple Resources
For the most accurate and current information, developers should always check Apple's official documentation and App Store Connect requirements.
- Apple Developer: MinimumOSVersion
- Apple Developer: Upcoming Requirements
- Apple Developer: Latest News
This article is based on Apple's published developer documentation and the MinimumOSVersion warning displayed in App Store Connect. Requirements can change, so developers should verify the latest Apple documentation before submitting an app.
