iOS is on the coronary heart of the iPhone expertise. It’s the working system on which all the pieces else sits, whereas additionally delivering loads of options and devoted apps constructed by Apple itself.
Yearly (normally in September) Apple provides new options to suitable iPhones with an replace to iOS, and within the months that comply with extra options arrive. If you wish to know what the newest model of iOS is, or for those who’ve ever puzzled about when variations got here out and what options they introduced, we are going to reply your questions. We additionally present you how one can verify which iOS you’re at present utilizing and how one can replace to the newest iteration.
In September 2025 there will probably be a model new model of iOS. iOS 26 will convey a model new look and many new options, however, for now, iOS 18 is the present model of iOS, or extra precisely model iOS 18.5.
iOS model historical past
iOS made its debut in 2007 alongside the primary iPhone. Nevertheless, when Steve Jobs held the little machine aloft revealing it to the world for the primary time, it wasn’t working iOS 1. As a substitute, 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 identify within the fourth era of the software program when it was shortened to iOS in 2010.
Vital milestones are scattered throughout the iOS timeline, with the primary being the introduction of the App Retailer in iPhone OS 2 in 2008. iOS 4 noticed the iPad becoming a member of the scene and utilizing the working system alongside the iPhone.
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. Sadly, this was the final model of the software program to be launched when Apple CEO and Founder Steve Jobs was nonetheless alive.
Apple
Issues modified considerably in iOS 11 in 2017 because it introduced the primary contact and gesture interface, permitting the primary iPhone with no House button–the iPhone X.
One other main shift was with iOS 13 in 2019, because it marked the bifurcation of Apple’s cellular working programs, with iPhones staying on iOS however the newly introduced iPadOS powering the brand new iPads.
iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 arrived in 2023, then iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in 2024. Quite than progress to iOS 19, Apple has aligned the numbering of all its working programs in line with the yr – so for the 2025 to 2026 model it’s iOS 26.
Right here’s how the 2 iOS variations evaluate: iOS 26 vs iOS 18.
Listing of iOS variations and newest variations
Right here’s a breakdown of all of the variations of iOS which have been launched, after they had been launched, after they had been final up to date, and the newest iOS model.
- iPhone OS 1 – Launched June 29, 2007 (Newest 1.1.5 July 15, 2008)
- iPhone OS 2 – Launched July 11, 2008 (Newest 2.2.1 January 27, 2009)
- iPhone OS 3 – Launched June 17, 2009 (Newest 3.2.2 August 11, 2010)
- iOS 4 – Launched June 22, 2010 (Newest 4.3.5 July 25, 2011)
- iOS 5 – Launched October 12, 2011 (Newest 5.1.1 Could 7, 2012)
- iOS 6 – Launched September 19, 2012 (Newest 6.1.6 February 21, 2014)
- iOS 7 – Launched September 18, 2013 (Newest 7.1.2 June 30, 2014)
- iOS 8 – Launched September 17, 2014 (Newest 8.4.1 August 13, 2015)
- iOS 9 – Launched September 16, 2015 (Newest 9.3.6 July 22, 2019)
- iOS 10 – Launched September 13, 2016 (Newest 10.3.4 July 22, 2019)
- iOS 11 – Launched September 19, 2017 (Newest 11.4.1 July 9, 2018)
- iOS 12 – Launched September 17, 2018 (Newest 12.5.7 January 23, 2023)
- iOS 13 – Launched September 19, 2019 (Newest 13.7 September 1, 2020)
- iOS 14 – Launched September 17, 2020 (Newest 14.8.1 October 26, 2021)
- iOS 15 – Launched September 24, 2021 (Newest iOS 15.8.3 July 29, 2024)
- iOS 16 – Launched September 12, 2022 (Newest iOS 16.7.10 August 7, 2024)
- iOS 17 – Launched September 18, 2023 (Newest iOS 17.7.2 November 19, 2024)
- iOS 18 – Launched September 16, 2024 (Newest iOS 18.3.1 February 10, 2025)
- iOS 26 – Coming September, 2025
Listing of iPadOS variations
Whereas iOS was the preliminary working system for iPad, this modified with the discharge of iPadOS 13 in 2019. Since then, iPads have had their very own platform, enabling Apple to raised harness the facility of its bigger units. Right here’s the brief launch historical past of iPadOS:
- iOS 12 – Launched September 17, 2018 (Newest 12.5.7 January 23, 2023)
- iPadOS 13 – Launched September 24, 2019 (Newest 13.7 September 1, 2020)
- iPadOS 14 – Launched September 16, 2020 (Newest 14.8.1 October 26, 2021 )
- iPadOS 15 – Launched September 20, 2021 (Newest 15.8.3 July 29, 2024)
- iPadOS 16 – Launched October 24, 2022 (Newest 16.7.10 August 7, 2024)
- iPadOS 17 – Launched September 18, 2023 (Newest iPadOS 17.7.5 February 10, 2025)
- iPadOS 18 – Launched September 16, 2024 (Newest iPadOS 18.3.1. February 10, 2025)
- iPadOS 26 – Coming September, 2025
Additionally see: How lengthy does Apple assist iPads?
Which iOS variations are at present supported?
By way of new options, solely iOS 18 is at present supported by Apple. When Apple introduces iOS 26 later in 2025 it would cease improvement of latest options for iOS 18, however it would proceed to supply safety updates.
Apple tends to assist the previous couple of iOS variations with safety updates. As of June 2025, Apple helps iOS 17, iOS 16 and iOS 15 with safety updates. The latest variations are: iOS 15.8.4 and iOS 16.7.11 (from March 2025) and iOS 17.7.2 (from November 2024).
Apple’s assist for iOS 15 wasn’t anticipated to increase into 2025, however the March safety replace is sweet information for these with an iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhones 7 or 7 Plus as they’d doubtlessly be weak with out the replace. We don’t anticipate that assist for iOS 15 will proceed past September, and at that time we might additionally lose assist for iOS 16 and the iPhones 8 and eight Plus.
Fortunately, many iPhones are capable of run supported variations of iOS. See: How lengthy does Apple assist iPhones?
We run via which iPhone helps which model of iOS in a separate article: iOS compatibility: Discover out the newest model your iPhone can run.
The right way to inform which model of iOS your iPhone is working
In the event you’re undecided which model of iOS you’re at present utilizing, it’s very simple to search out out. Simply go to Settings > Common > About and search for the iOS Model quantity. It’s the identical steps for iPadOS.
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The right way to set up the newest model of iOS
Updating your iPhone to the newest model of iOS is easy, as long as your machine is suitable. This doesn’t require a lot detective work although, as your iPhone will know whether or not it’s eligible for the improve or not.
To seek out out, go to Settings > Common > Software program Replace, and your iPhone will verify to see if there are any accessible. You may additionally see a notification on the Settings web page that claims ‘Software program Replace Accessible’, which you’ll be able to click on to go straight to the replace web page. iPadOS works the identical method.
Foundry
If there are not any updates, you’ll see a message alongside the strains of ‘iOS is updated’. Ought to there be one accessible, it ought to inform you on the display screen and provide the choice to ‘Obtain and Set up’. Do that and your iPhone will mechanically apply the replace and produce your software program to the newest model.
You can even learn our tutorial on how one can replace iOS on iPhone for extra particulars.
So, there it’s. A potted historical past of iOS. Wish to find out about all of the variations of macOS? Learn: Mac OS X and macOS: Each model launched to this point. You can even discover out what the newest model of macOS is.
