iOS apps have been 64-bit for several years. Apple's tools build dual 32/64-bit binaries, and the App Store will not accept uploads where the 64-bit part is missing.
So, any modern iOS device has been running pretty much only 64-bit code for a long while.
The only thing affected by this is the ability to run really old binaries that have not been updated in years. But those will often be suffering from other compatibility issues anyway, such as display sizes and not meeting modern security standards like Apple's TLS mandate.
Among these 32bit applications there is my beloved Tetris app. Which doesn't need modern security standards or use the half of an inch more screen real estate available. If I have to chose between yet another iOS update (with the usual harassment to use apple pay, apple music, icloud and all that shit every time I upgrade) and Tetris, I chose Tetris.
I agree, so let's yell at EA and get them to update the app. I suppose they have no interest because they now have a "free" version in the App Store...
If you think you're being "harassed" by the device offering to use essential features of the platform then perhaps it's not the device for you? I've used iOS for years and have never found any prompts that are remotely harassing about anything iirc. It's been nearly two years since they started requiring all apps and updates to be 64 bit, it's not a huge surprise this is coming.
> the device offering to use essential features of the platform
If you think "apple pay, apple music, icloud" are essential features of the platform, you are misinformed. They are attempts to lock you into a platform by providing an (inferior but embedded) alternative to products in the respective market.
> I've used iOS for years and have never found any prompts that are remotely harassing about anything
Then you have never tried avoiding to upload all your personal information into the Apple icloud. Harassment at every minor dot-dot update.
I think cm2187's use of the word "harassed" is grossly overstated. Only one of the three things he mentions even has a prompt at initial setup, but even then, skipping iCloud setup leads to absolutely zero prompts from then on.
I am not sure if it is the wizard setup, but when it has updated iOS, it reboots, and on first boot I am greated with multiple prompts to start using each of these services, in a similar way than if it was a new iphone. But this is not for new features. The same prompts come back at every update, even if I opted out many times before.
> The only thing affected by this is the ability to run really old binaries that have not been updated in years. But those will often be suffering from other compatibility issues anyway
There are numerous applications — mostly games — which haven't been updated in years (and show the 32 bit warning thing) yet work just fine. Trainyard, Auditorium, Drop7, Eliss, Tilt to Live, geoDefense, Walking Mars, Canabalt, …
So, any modern iOS device has been running pretty much only 64-bit code for a long while.
The only thing affected by this is the ability to run really old binaries that have not been updated in years. But those will often be suffering from other compatibility issues anyway, such as display sizes and not meeting modern security standards like Apple's TLS mandate.