iOS model historical past: Each iOS and the options it introduced
There are vital milestones scattered throughout the iOS timeline:

Apple
iPhone OS (2007): iOS made its debut in 2007 with the primary iPhone. Nonetheless, when Steve Jobs held the little system aloft revealing it to the world for the primary time, it wasn’t working iOS 1. As an alternative, it was reported by Apple to be powered by OS X, the software program for the Mac. Over time it was referred to as iPhone OS, till lastly gaining its now legendary title within the fourth era of the software program when it was shortened to iOS in 2010.
iPhone OS 2 (2008): The second main launch of the iPhone software program was groundbreaking as a result of it introduced third occasion apps and launched the App Retailer.
iPhone OS 3 (2009): This replace was designed to make it simpler to seek out issues, whereas on the identical time including the power to have as much as 11 pages to the Residence Display screen. Messages may assist MMS, Video recording grew to become potential and it was potential to save lots of voice notes with the Voice Memos app.
iOS 4 (2010): Apple modified the title to iOS and added the power to place apps in folders for a greater organised Residence display with iOS 4. The FaceTime, iBooks and Recreation Centre apps additionally arrived. The iPad additionally joined the scene, sharing the identical working system because the iPhone.
iOS 5 (2011): iOS 5 was launched together with the iPhone 4S in 2011, which noticed the debut of Siri as a built-in a part of the working system. The Notification Centre was launched and iCloud arrived bringing syncronisation between gadgets. This was the primary time iOS could possibly be put in immediately on the iPhone with out requiring a pc.
iOS 6 (2012): That is the place Apple Maps got here onto the scene. Podcasts and Passbook (now Pockets) apps additionally arrived. iCloud Picture Stream made it simpler to share pictures with household and associates. iOS 6 was the final with a skeuomorphic design.
iOS 7 (2013): With iOS 7 iPhone customers bought a redesigned consumer interface, which seemed much more fashionable with flatter icons. iOS 7 launched AirDrop and CarPlay.

Apple
iOS 8 (2014): One of many options of iOS 8 was Continuity, which linked the iPhone, iPad and Mac collectively, so you possibly can “handoff” duties from one system to a different. Household Sharing additionally arrived making it simpler to handle a baby’s iPhone.
iOS 9 (2015): iOS 9 improved the Notes app, added Apple Information, and featured a brand new Evening Shift mode that eliminated a number of the blue mild that may disturb circadian rhythms and cease somebody sleeping.
iOS 10 (2016): There have been updates to Messages and adjustments to the Pictures app in iOS 10. A brand new Residence app introduced HomeKit management. Maps bought a redesign. Common Clipboard meant that customers may copy one thing on a Mac and paste it on an iPhone, for instance.
iOS 11 (2017): Issues modified considerably in iOS 11 in 2017 because it introduced the primary contact and gesture interface, permitting the primary iPhone and not using a Residence button – the iPhone X. There was a brand new Information app making it simpler to entry content material synced or saved in iCloud and the Management Centre bought a redesign.
iOS 12 (2018): Display screen Time, Memoji, Group FaceTime and Siri Shortcuts had been new in iOS 12.
iOS 13 (2019): One other main shift got here with iOS 13 in 2019, as Apple’s cellular working system for the iPad cut up with the iPhone, with iPadOS powering new iPads. Updates to iOS included Darkish Mode, new privateness options and the power to Check in with Apple and conceal your e mail deal with. The Pictures and Apple Maps apps bought a redesign and a swipe-to-type keyboard was added.
iOS 14 (2020): One of the vital notable additions was Again Faucet, a characteristic that successfully turned the again of the iPhone into an additional button. Beginning with iOS 14.2, music recognition was constructed immediately into the working system through a Shazam button.

Foundry
iOS 15 (2021): Focus Mode arrived in iOS 15 to assist customers handle the onslaught of notifications, Stay Textual content and Visible Search for made it potential to work together with textual content inside pictures (Stay Textual content) and use the digicam to establish objects like vegetation and animals. The Safari browser acquired a significant interface replace as did Maps and the Climate app.
iOS 16 (2022): One of the vital seen adjustments in iOS 16 was the entire overhaul of the Lock display, which allowed customers so as to add widgets for the primary time to view information at a look with out unlocking their gadgets. Apple added Fast Safety Responses in order that it may ship vital safety patches outdoors of an iOS replace.
iOS 17 (2023): NameDrop in iOS 17 made it potential to share info by bringing two iPhones collectively. Stolen Machine Safety added a layer of safety by requiring biometric authentication (Face ID or Contact ID) earlier than an Apple ID password could possibly be modified. Stay Voicemail meant that iPhone customers may get a dwell transaction of a message.
iOS 18 (2024): The iOS 18 replace laid the groundwork for Apple’s subsequent AI initiatives. There was additionally an entire redesign of the Pictures app, a devoted Passwords app, Management Heart Customization and Stay Actions (so you possibly can see when your dinner supply is arriving).
iOS 26 (2025): Moderately than progress to iOS 19, Apple has aligned the numbering of all its working methods in accordance with the 12 months with iOS 26. It wasn’t only a title change although, there was a big visible and practical overhaul with a Liquid Glass design language. Huge adjustments additionally got here to the Cellphone app with Name Screening and Maintain Help. Stay Transaltions make it straightforward to speak with overseas associates and colleagues. The Digicam app had a simplifying redesign and a Video games app changed Recreation Centre.

Foundry
Right here’s how the most recent two iOS variations evaluate: iOS 26 vs iOS 18.