After updating my Apple Watch, I was shocked to find I could no longer pair it with my iPhone. The problem wasn’t with the hardware — the watch simply updated to a version my phone doesn’t support. They worked perfectly before, but now I must choose between buying a new phone or leaving the watch unused.

Since my iPhone stopped receiving recent OS updates, it moved to Apple's "vintage" list of devices. Supporting vintage devices further could raise long, complex debates around ethics, slowing innovation, and business impact...

That’s why this petition focuses on a different group: devices on Apple’s “obsolete” list. Obsolete devices are long unsupported, no longer daily-driven, and often left unused, yet they could be revived to offer meaningful, relivable experiences with zero harm to Apple.

Obsolete Apple devices are cultural and creative treasures. They could allow people to relive memories, explore old games (including 32-bit games no longer supported on newer 64-bit OS architectures), or create art with programs that shaped a generation. Currently, these devices are stuck on the latest, sometimes buggy software, while the older versions exist only in our memories. This is the aim of the petition: to bring these devices and their old software versions back to life, letting people use them as they once were, while also seeing the evolution of Apple’s software design and learning from the past.

Reviving obsolete devices benefits everyone. Users could continue enjoying photography, music, nostalgic games, and creative projects, keeping their legacy alive and memories accessible. It’s also incredibly fun and educational to show these devices to younger children, so they can experience how technology used to look and work — a part of our cultural heritage that should be passed on to new generations.

Apple controls when a device becomes obsolete. Once a device is added to the obsolete list, all software versions for that device should be signed, unlocking these experiences. This wide signing should be exclusive to obsolete devices, as they pose no harm to Apple’s business model, while enabling users to preserve and enjoy the full potential of these long-lasting products.

Whether you own Apple devices or not, this is about respecting what we buy and preserving our digital history. Let's celebrate Apple's legacy and the cultural impact of its technology. By giving users the ability to revive obsolete devices, preserving memories, creativity, and the digital heritage that shaped our lives.

Please sign this petition to make technology more inclusive, sustainable, and respectful of the memories and creativity it has inspired.