Apple shuts down support community after 28 years: what will change for users

Apple announced the shutdown of Apple Support Community — the official forum where users have, for 28 years, helped one another resolve issues with the company’s devices.

The platform will permanently cease operation on November 20, 2026, and is no longer accepting new questions and answers.

What will change for users

Apple Support Community operated as a technical support forum. Owners of iPhone, iPad, Mac and other Apple devices could post questions, describe issues and get advice from other users.

The platform has now been switched to read-only. Visitors can still browse old discussions and search for answers to their questions, but creating new posts or replying to messages is no longer possible.

In a message on its site, Apple thanked community members for the time and knowledge they shared with other users. The company also recommended seeking help through the official Apple Support website.

At the same time, Apple has not yet explained what will happen to the forum archive after the closure. It is unclear whether old discussions will remain accessible.

Why Apple is closing the forum

In a comment to MacRumors Apple said it decided to close the community after reviewing its support strategy and customer needs. 

The forum’s history began in 1998 when Apple launched the Apple Tech Exchange platform. In 2000 it was renamed Apple Discussions.

In April 2011 the company updated the platform under the name Apple Support Communities. That iteration introduced personalized profiles, topic-based discussions and a point system that recognized users for helpful answers.

In 2022 the service was given the name Apple Support Community, under which it operated until now.

Recall that Apple plans to transform the voice assistant Siri into an autonomous AI agent that will be able to carry out users’ tasks independently without needing to receive new commands each time. 

Also read: Microsoft patented a technology that will allow training AI on users’ graphics cards: how it will work