The iPhone 5s came out in 2013. In the US, it can't make normal phone calls any more, because it has no VoLTE and the 3G networks it used are gone.
The quick answer
- Calls and texts on a US carrier: no
- Wi-Fi apps, music, camera: yes, with limits
- Software: stuck on iOS 12, so many apps no longer install
- Best use now: an iPod-style music player or a kids' Wi-Fi device
Calls and the 3G shutdown
US carriers shut down their 3G networks in 2022. Phones now need VoLTE, which carries calls over 4G LTE, to make calls. The iPhone 6 was the first iPhone with VoLTE in the US, so the 5s can't place or receive normal calls on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon or any carrier that uses their networks. It may still connect for data on some networks, but without calls that isn't much use as a phone.
The real limit: iOS 12
The iPhone 5s can't go past iOS 12. Most popular apps now need a much newer version, so banking, messaging and many streaming apps won't install or will stop working. Apple no longer sends security updates for it, so don't use it for anything sensitive.
Who it still works for
As a phone, nobody. As a Wi-Fi device it still works for music, offline photos, simple games and FaceTime with older versions. It's also a collectible: boxed 5s models in gold have some value to collectors.
If you're replacing it
You don't need a new flagship. A recent iPhone 16e, or an Android phone like the moto g 2026 or Galaxy A17, will get years of updates, and several carriers give those away when you switch. Pair it with a low-cost plan: Mint Mobile is $15 a month for 6GB on a 12-month term, and Visible is $25 for unlimited with taxes included.
Current offers from Metro, T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Xfinity.
See phone deals →Frequently asked questions
Can I still use an iPhone 5s in 2026? +
Does the iPhone 5s work on T-Mobile or Verizon? +
Can the iPhone 5s update past iOS 12? +
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Jean Gilles has researched personal finance, consumer technology, and wireless pricing for over a decade. He founded ShopCellPlans in 2019 and writes every review on the site.