iOS is at the heart of the iPhone experience. It’s the operating system that powers everything else, while also offering many dedicated features and apps created by Apple itself. If you’ve ever wondered when versions came out, how to check which one you’re currently using, or how to update to the latest iteration, we’ve got the answers. Here’s our iOS roundup, including details on iOS 18, the next version of iOS that’s set to launch in September 2024.
iOS Version History
iOS debuted in 2007, alongside the first iPhone. However, when Steve Jobs held up the little device to reveal it to the world for the first time, it wasn’t running iOS 1. Apple announced that it was running OS X, the software for Macs. Over time, it was called iPhone OS, until it finally got its now-legendary name in the software’s fourth generation, when it was shortened to iOS in 2010.
Milestones are scattered throughout the iOS timeline, the first being the introduction of the App Store in iPhone OS 2 in 2008. iOS 4 saw the iPad join the scene and use the operating system alongside the iPhone.
iOS 5 was released alongside the iPhone 4S in 2011, which saw the arrival of Siri as an integral part of the operating system. Unfortunately, it was the last version of the software to be released while Apple CEO and founder Steve Jobs was still alive.
Apple
Apple
Apple
Things changed significantly in iOS 11 in 2017, as it brought the first touch and gesture interface, enabling the first iPhone without a Home button: the iPhone X.
Another major change came with iOS 13 in 2019, as it marked the bifurcation of Apple’s mobile operating systems, with iPhones remaining on iOS but the newly announced iPadOS powering the new iPads. This will continue to this day, although the version numbers have remained in sync, with the most recent being iOS 16 and iPadOS 16.
iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are the latest versions of the software and were released in September 2023. You can install iOS 17 and get iPadOS 17 right now.
iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will be released in September 2024.
List of iOS versions and latest releases
Here is a list of all iOS versions that have been released, their release date, last update, and the latest iOS version.
- iPhone OS 1 – Released June 29, 2007 (latest version 1.1.5 on July 15, 2008)
- iPhone OS 2 – Released July 11, 2008 (Latest version 2.2.1 on January 27, 2009)
- iPhone OS 3 – Released June 17, 2009 (latest version 3.2.2 on August 11, 2010)
- iOS 4 – Released June 22, 2010 (latest version 4.3.5 on July 25, 2011)
- iOS 5 – Released October 12, 2011 (latest version 5.1.1 on May 7, 2012)
- iOS 6 – Released September 19, 2012 (latest version 6.1.6 on February 21, 2014)
- iOS 7 – Released September 18, 2013 (latest version 7.1.2 on June 30, 2014)
- iOS 8 – Released September 17, 2014 (latest version 8.4.1 on August 13, 2015)
- iOS 9 – Released September 16, 2015 (latest version 9.3.6 on July 22, 2019)
- iOS 10 – Released September 13, 2016 (latest version 10.3.4 on July 22, 2019)
- iOS 11 – Released September 19, 2017 (latest version 11.4.1 on July 9, 2018)
- iOS 12 – Released September 17, 2018 (latest version 12.5.7 on January 23, 2023)
- iOS 13 – Released September 19, 2019 (latest version 13.7 on September 1, 2020)
- iOS 14 – Released September 17, 2020 (latest version 14.8.1 on October 26, 2021)
- iOS 15 – Released September 24, 2021 (Latest version iOS 15.8.3 on July 29, 2024)
- iOS 16 – Released September 12, 2022 (Latest version iOS 16.7.10 on August 7, 2024)
- iOS 17 – Released September 18, 2023 (Latest version iOS 17.6.1 on August 7, 2024)
- iOS 18 – Available September 2024
List of iPadOS versions
While iOS was the original operating system for the iPad, that changed with the release of iPadOS 13 in 2019. Since then, iPads have had their own platform, allowing Apple to better harness the power of its larger devices. Here’s a brief version history of iPadOS:
- iOS 12 – Released September 17, 2018 (latest version 12.5.7 on January 23, 2023)
- iPadOS 13 – Released September 24, 2019 (Latest version 13.7 on September 1, 2020)
- iPadOS 14 – Released September 16, 2020 (Latest version 14.8.1 on October 26, 2021)
- iPadOS 15 – Released September 20, 2021 (latest version 15.8.3 on July 29, 2024)
- iPadOS 16 – Released October 24, 2022 (latest version 16.7.10 on August 7, 2024)
- iPadOS 17 – Released September 18, 2023 (Latest version iPadOS 17.6.1 on August 7, 2024)
- iPadOS 18 – Available September 2024
See also: How long does Apple support iPads?
What versions of iOS are currently supported?
In terms of new features, only iOS 17 is currently supported by Apple (with iOS 18 planned for later in 2024). For those with iPhones that only run older versions of iOS, Apple supports iOS 16 and iOS 15 with security updates. However, when iOS 18 arrives, it is likely that Apple will stop supporting iOS 15, leaving the iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and 7 Plus unsupported. Support for iOS 16 and the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus is expected to continue for another year.
iOS 14 and iOS 13 are considered obsolete by Apple because phones that can run those operating systems can run iOS 15. In January 2023, Apple released a security update for iOS 12, but it is unlikely that it will release another one. As a result, the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, and 5S, as well as some iPads, are no longer supported because they only run iOS 12. Fortunately, many iPhones are capable of running supported versions of iOS. See: How long does Apple support iPhones?
We explain which iPhone supports which version of iOS in a separate article: iOS Compatibility: Find out the latest version your iPhone can run.
How to find out what version of iOS is installed on your iPhone
If you’re not sure what version of iOS you’re currently using, it’s very easy to find out. Just go to Settings > General > About and look for the iOS version number. These are the same steps for iPadOS.
How to install the latest version of iOS
Updating your iPhone to the latest version of iOS is easy, as long as your device is compatible. It doesn’t require much sleuthing, as your iPhone will know whether it’s eligible for the upgrade or not.
To find out, go to Settings > General > Software Updateand your iPhone will check for available software updates. You may also see a notification on the Settings page that says “Software Update Available,” which you can click to go directly to the update page. iPadOS works the same way.
If there is no update, you will see a message like “iOS is up to date.” If there is one available, it should tell you so on the screen and give you the option to “Download and Install.” Do this and your iPhone will automatically apply the update and update your software to the latest version.
You can also read our tutorial on how to update iOS on iPhone for more details.
And there you have it, the history of iOS is summarized. Want to know more about all the versions of macOS? Read: Mac OS X and macOS: All versions released so far. You can also find out what is the latest version of macOS.
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