Apple Support Community shuts down on Nov 20 after 28 years

How the Apple Support Community got here

The forum began in 1998 as Apple Tech Exchange. It became Apple Discussions in 2000, then relaunched in 2011 as Apple Support Communities, with user profiles and a rating system for members who kept helping others. In 2022 it took its current name, Apple Support Community.

People used it for everything from software bugs and failed updates to everyday annoyances on iPhone, iPad and Mac. In 2023 Apple stopped having its own employees answer questions there, so the answers came almost entirely from other users.

Apple has not given a detailed reason for closing it. The company told MacRumors the decision followed a careful look at its strategy and customer needs, which points to a focus on official support channels.

Where to get help instead

Apple points people to its official Apple Support website, which has guides and fixes for common hardware and software problems. You can also contact Apple's support team directly, or book help at an Apple Store through the Genius Bar.

For peer-to-peer advice, community platforms such as Reddit remain an option. Users swap experiences and fixes for Apple devices there, though it is not run by Apple.