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iOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. and was first released as iPhone OS in June 2007, coinciding with the launch of the first generation iPhone. iPhone OS was renamed iOS following the release of the iPad, starting with iOS 4.
iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system developed by Apple exclusively for its smartphones. It was unveiled in January of 2007 for the first-generation iPhone, launched in June 2007. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone.
- Overview
- iOS 17
- iOS 16
- iOS 15
- iOS 14
- iOS 13
- iOS 12
- iOS 11
- iOS 10
- iOS 9
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iOS is the name of the operating system that runs the iPhone and iPod touch. It's the core software that comes loaded on all devices to allow them to run and support other apps. iOS is to the iPhone what Windows is to PCs or macOS is to Macs.
Apple announced iOS 17 at the June 2023 WWDC, with a public rollout to take place in Fall 2023.
One of the most notable updates to iOS 17 is the change from, "Hey Siri!" to, "Siri," as well as the ability to give Siri back-to-back commands,
iOS 17 includes upgrades to Phone, FaceTime, and Messages, which also features an all-new Stickers experience. AirDrop has been upgraded to include NameDrop to allow for easy contact sharing. Journal is an entirely new app that provides an intuitive journalling experience based on your photos, locations, contacts, music, podcasts, and more.
In addition, iOS 17 offers a fullscreen experience called StandBy, which is similar to Nightstand Mode on Apple Watch. While you're charging the phone, you can put it into landscape mode to display the time and other information on a minimalist, easy-to-read display.
iOS 16 was announced at 2022's WWDC in June. It rolled out to consumers in Fall 2022.
Updates include new Messages features, SharePlay availability in FaceTime and Messages, and upgrades for Apple Wallet including Apple Pay Later and Apple Order Tracking.
Support ended: n./a
Current version: 15.5, released May 16, 2022
Initial version: 15.0, released Sept. 24, 2021
Much like iOS 14, iOS 15 is more of a collection of improvements to the iPhone platform than it is a themed release. Generally speaking, iOS 15 moves forward a number of important things Apple has been working on for a number of releases: Increases security and privacy, blocks more ad tracking, improves Siri and the camera app, and much more.
Some of the biggest steps forward are influenced by the recent remote-work trend. Features in that area include improvements to FaceTime audio, support for FaceTime conferencing on the web and Android, improvements to the Messages app, and more.
Key New Features:
Support ended: n/a
Current version: 14.6, released May 24, 2021
Initial version: 14.0, released Sept. 17, 2020
There's no single major change or theme to the changes introduced with iOS 14. Instead, iOS 14 is a collection of numerous small and medium-sized changes to the user interface, features, and overall ease of use that add up to making the experience of using an iPhone even better.
Maybe the most notable changes are around customization, thanks to the addition of Homescreen Widgets, the ability to choose default apps in some cases, and improved privacy controls.
How to Change the Color of Apps on iOS 14
Support ended: n/a
Current version: 13.7, release Sept. 1, 2020.
Initial version: 13.0, released Sept. 19, 2019
Perhaps the biggest change introduced with iOS 13 is that the OS no longer runs on the iPad. That's due to the release of iPadOS (which begins with version 13). That's a new OS dedicated to the making the iPad a more useful productivity device and a potential laptop replacement. It's based on iOS 13 and has many of the same features, but also adds iPad-specific items.
Beyond that, iOS 13 shores up some core features, including launching apps faster, unlocking devices with Face ID faster, and overhauling pre-installed apps like Reminders, Notes, Safari, and Mail. Maybe the most obvious new feature is the Dark Mode, but the changes range much wider than that and further bolster the already-strong OS.
Key New Features:
Support ended: n/a
Current version: 12.4.8. It was released July 15, 2020
Initial version: It was released on September 17, 2018
The new features and improvements added in iOS 12 aren't as extensive or revolutionary as in some previous updates to the OS. Instead, iOS 12 focused more on making refinements to commonly used features and on adding wrinkles that improve how people use their devices.
Some of the key features of iOS 12 included improvements to Siri like Siri Shortcuts, enhanced Augmented Reality with ARKit 2, and giving users and parents ways to monitor and control their device use with Screen Time.
Key New Features:
Support ended: n/a
Current version: 11.4.1. It was released on July 9, 2018
Initial version: It was released on September 19, 2017
iOS was originally developed to run on the iPhone. Since then, it's been expanded to support the iPod touch and iPad (and versions of it even power the Apple Watch and Apple TV). In iOS 11, the emphasis shifted from the iPhone to the iPad.
Sure, iOS 11 contains lots of improvements for the iPhone, but its major focus is turning the iPad Pro series models into legitimate laptop replacements for some users.
This is done through a series of changes designed to make iOS running on iPad a lot more like a desktop operating system. These changes include all new drag and drop support, split screen apps and multiple workspaces, a file browser app, and support for notation and handwriting with the Apple Pencil.
Support ended: 2019
Current version: 10.3.4. It was released on July 22, 2019
Initial version: It was released on Sept. 13, 2016
The ecosystem Apple built around iOS has long been referred to as a "walled garden" because it's a very pleasant place to be on the inside, but it's hard to gain access. This was reflected in the many ways Apple locked down the interface of iOS and the options it gave to apps.
Cracks began to show in the walled garden in iOS 10, and Apple put them there.
The major themes of iOS 10 were interoperability and customization. Apps could now communicate directly with each other on a device, allowing one app to use some features from another without opening the second app. Siri became available to third-party apps in new ways. There were even apps built into iMessage now.
Support ended: 2018
Final version: 9.3.9. It was released on July 22, 2019
Initial version: It was released on Sept. 16, 2015
After a few years of major changes to both the interface and technical foundation of iOS, many observers began to charge that iOS was no longer the stable, dependable, solid performer it had once been. They suggested that Apple should focus on shoring up the foundation of the OS before adding new features.
That's just what the company did with iOS 9. While it did add some new features, this release was generally aimed at solidifying the foundation of the OS for the future.
Major improvements were delivered in speed and responsiveness, stability, and performance on older devices. iOS 9 proved to be an important refocusing that laid the groundwork for the bigger improvements delivered in iOS 10 and 11.
The complete iOS version history including the latest version of iOS, which versions of iOS are still supported, and when each version launched.
- iOS 17. iOS 17 is announced on June WWDC 2023. The focus of iOS 17 was redesigning and upgrading the system apps and features. The Message, FaceTime, and Phone apps got several enhancements.
- iOS 16 – September 12, 2022. iOS 16 was announced at the WWDC event in June 2022 and released in September 2022. The most noticeable upgrade in iOS 16 was the supported features for Dynamic Island for iPhone 14 Pro models.
- iOS 15 – September 24, 2021. Unlike iOS 16, the iOS 15 update was more focused on software bug fixes, system improvements, and polishing features of built-in apps.
- iOS 14 – September 17, 2020. iOS 14 version lists similar system improvements very much like iOS 15. There were no significant changes. Apple added a few enhancements like privacy controls, Home Screen widgets, customization options, etc.
Jan 7, 2024 · iOS was unveiled with the release of the first-generation iPhone in 2007. At the time, the operating system was considered a major advancement in touchscreen technology, allowing users to...
Jun 18, 2021 · Apple’s first-ever touch-centric mobile operating system was announced on Jan. 9, 2007, when former CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone.
