Apple closes its 28-year-old Support Community forum on November 20

Summarised from 6 outlets · Updated 11 Nov, 21:27 · Archive

Apple is permanently closing its Apple Support Community forums on November 20, with new posts already blocked.

Apple's Apple Support Community forum will permanently close on November 20. As of today, the forum has been placed in read-only mode, preventing users from posting new messages or replying to existing threads.

The announcement came via a message posted to the community home page. Apple stated: 'The Apple Support Community will permanently close on November 20, 2026. Starting today, the site will no longer accept new posts and is available in a read-only state.'

The forum has operated for nearly 28 years. It first launched in 1998 as the Apple Tech Exchange before being renamed Apple Discussions in 2000. It was revamped in 2011 and renamed Apple Support Communities, gaining dedicated sections for specific devices. It took its current name in 2022.

The forum served as a platform where Apple users could exchange technical advice, troubleshoot problems and discuss products. Many users reported finding helpful solutions there, with responses often appearing prominently in search results for technical issues. Apple employees occasionally provided guidance alongside user contributions.

In a statement to MacRumors, Apple said it decided to close the forum 'after a careful evaluation of strategy and customer needs'. The company did not elaborate on specific reasons for the decision. Apple thanked 'the community members who have contributed their time and expertise to help others with their Apple products'.

Users are being directed to Apple's official Apple Support website as an alternative. Apple has not specified what will happen to the archived posts accumulated over nearly three decades. Engadget notes that users seeking peer support will need to turn to alternative platforms such as Reddit, MacRumors Forums and other social media sites.

How it is being reported

• Apple is shuttering its 28-year-old online community forumApple has already made the forum read-only.Ars Technica · 11 Nov, 17:04
• Apple tells its Support Community to STFUUser-to-user forum goes read-only ahead of November 20 closure, with archive's fate unclearThe Register · 11 Nov, 12:43
• Apple pulls the plug on its Support Community forums after 28 yearsApple is closing its official support forums on November 20, with new posts already locked down.TechRadar · 11 Nov, 12:26
• Apple is killing its Support Community forum next weekIt's the end of the road for the Apple Support Community. The dedicated discussion forum, which gave Apple users a place to exchange advice, troubleshoot, and generally chat about Apple products, has been placed into read-only mode, with a message from the company announcing that the Support Community will shut down for good on November […]The Verge · 11 Nov, 12:19
• Apple is shutting down its online Support Community on November 20Apple's Support Community is permanently closing in a few days.Engadget · 11 Nov, 10:52
• 'Apple Support Community' Permanently Closing on November 20Apple today announced that the long-running Apple Support Community discussion forums will be permanently closing on Friday, November 20. Effectively immediately, the Apple Support Community forums are in a read-only state, with new posts no longer being accepted. The final message posted to the site appears to have been submitted at 5:49 p.m. Pacific Time today. There is still a sign-in button, but it leads to an internal portal for Apple's corporate employees. It is unclear if the Apple Support Community will remain available in a read-only state after November 20 or if it will be removed…MacRumors · 11 Nov, 03:51

In this story: Apple · MacRumors · Reddit

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