Apple closes its Support Community forum to new posts, permanent shutdown on 20 November

Apple stops new posts and sets a closing date

Apple stopped accepting new posts on its Apple Support Community on 10 November 2026, putting the official forum into read-only mode. The site, where users help each other troubleshoot problems with iPhones, Macs and other devices, will permanently close on 20 November 2026, a Friday. The notice on the forum home page refers to the "AppleCare Support Community", while 9to5Mac points out that the platform is officially branded as the Apple Support Community. In the notice, Apple directs visitors to its own support resources for help going forward.

“You can continue to find trusted guidance and support on the official Apple Support site.”

What users can still do

The forum remains online for reading. Users can open existing threads, browse sections and search old discussions, and the "Me too" and voting buttons still work. New discussions and replies are blocked, meaning people who asked for help cannot receive answers there. 9to5Mac reported that the sign-in button leads to an AppleConnect page labelled "AC Communities Web - Internal", which it said suggests access is limited to Apple employees. The notice also thanks the members who helped others over the years.

“We want to thank the community members who have contributed their time and expertise to help others with their Apple products.”

A forum that dates back to 1998

The forum began in 1998 as Apple Tech Exchange before being renamed Apple Discussions. It relaunched as Apple Support Communities in April 2011 with a redesigned interface, personalised profiles and a reputation system that rewarded members for helping others. Most answers came from volunteers, although some paid community specialists worked for Apple on the forum, according to 9to5Mac. Engadget notes that forum responses are often among the first results when people search for technical problems. Over more than two decades, the site became a place where owners of Apple products shared troubleshooting tips with one another.

Apple's reasons and the reaction

Apple told MacRumors, as reported by Engadget, that it decided to shut down the forum "after a careful evaluation of strategy and customer needs". The closure notice itself gives no further explanation. 9to5Mac's commentary suggests the move was mostly about streamlining operations and cutting costs, and notes that community forums carry reputational risk when customers criticize company decisions. Reactions among users were mixed, with some Reddit posters calling the closure a shame and others saying the forum was often a useless top Google result. Verizon followed a similar path in 2026, switching its Community Forum, launched in 2008, to read-only before closing it altogether.

What happens next

The forum will stay in read-only mode until 20 November 2026, when it closes permanently. 9to5Mac said it had asked Apple to clarify how far the shutdown extends and would update its story if Apple replied. Apple's official support website remains the place the company directs people to for guidance. Engadget noted that people seeking advice from other users will now have to turn to social media and other online spaces.