Apple to Permanently Close Its Support Community Forum Nov. 20
Apple's user-run Support Community is now read-only and will shut for good on November 20, directing users to its official support site.
Apple is permanently shutting down its Apple Support Community, the long-running public forum where customers answered each other’s questions about iPhones, Macs and other products. The company says the site will close on November 20, 2026, and it has already stopped accepting new posts, according to Engadget and The Apple Post.
What happened
A notice on the community’s home page says the forum is now read-only. People can still read existing threads, but they cannot start new discussions or reply. Engadget reported that MacRumors first spotted the notice.
The notice points users to the official Apple Support website, saying they can continue to find trusted guidance there, as Engadget reported. In a statement to MacRumors, quoted by Engadget, Apple said it made the decision “after a careful evaluation of strategy and customer needs.” The company has not given a more specific reason.
Engadget said the forum dates back to 1998, when it was known as Apple Discussions, and was later renamed. Its user-written answers often rank high in web searches for technical problems, which made it a common first stop for people troubleshooting Apple devices.
What is not yet known
According to The Apple Post, Apple has not said whether the archive of older questions and answers will remain accessible after November 20. The company also has not said what will happen to contributor profiles, reputation points or its Community+ recognition program for frequent helpers. The notice does not name a replacement forum.
The Apple Post noted that Apple’s support website and the Apple Support app remain available, and that AppleCare protection plans are not affected by the closure.
Why it matters
The forum was one of the largest public collections of peer-written help for Apple products, and many users arrived at it through search engines rather than directly. Engadget suggested the community may have lost relevance as people increasingly swap advice on other online platforms, though that is the outlet’s reading and not something Apple has stated.
The move follows other changes to how Apple handles customer help. The Apple Post noted that Apple stopped offering human customer assistance through its @AppleSupport account on X in 2023. The Apple Post also mentioned a Bloomberg report that Apple had considered replacing about 5,000 AppleCare support jobs with AI agents before putting the idea on hold. The outlet said Apple has not linked that report to the forum closure, and no connection has been confirmed.
What comes next
Until November 20, the site stays online in read-only mode. After that date, the forum is set to close permanently. Users who need help with Apple products will have to rely on Apple’s official support channels or on third-party communities and social media. Apple has not yet said whether it plans any new community feature.
