iOS versions


iOS versions

Following are the versions of Apple's mobile operating system for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. iOS is the Mac OS X operating system, specialized for mobile devices. See iPhone versions, iPad and iPod touch.

iOS 12 (September 2018)
FaceTime updated to support groups rather than one-on-one. Animojis beefed up with "Memojis," which let users create avatars of themselves. Screen Time shows how much time users spend on apps and how much of the device's resources they use. Shortcuts for Siri allow custom phrases to perform pre-set actions, and augmented reality and Photos are updated. On 911 calls, precise location will be provided.

iOS 11 - September 2017
Raise to Wake option eliminates the need for the Home button, which is gone in iPhone X models. Major changes for the iPad by adding drag and drop, file management and better app switching. iOS 11 was designed to make the iPad tablet more like a laptop/desktop so it can be used as a true alternative. Apple Pencil can be used for quickly taking notes, signing documents and marking up PDFs and images. An improved keyboard combines letters, digits and symbols without needing to switch back and forth. An augmented reality (AR) software development kit allows developers to build AR into their apps. Apple Pay allows sending money to friends via the Messages app. Maps app adds airport data, and navigation interface is enhanced. For safer driving, a "do not disturb" function is available that only displays important notifications. There is a new Siri interface, and the Photos app has better image recognition for identifying people and things. The control center is also expanded.

iOS 10 - September 2016
Improvements to Apple's messaging app that include handwriting, hidden images that are revealed by swiping and more ways to express oneself. Siri becomes available to third-party developers allowing users to command apps via voice. Maps can make routing suggestions and also take reservations for apps such as OpenTable and Uber. A new Home app controls lights, doors and thermostat. Just raising the iPhone wakes it up, and 3D Touch is added to Calendar, Weather and Stocks. Contextual predictions in email bring up phone numbers and calendar dates based on the content of the message. Photos can be searched by content such as their location when taken. Two languages can be typed without switching between keyboards.

iOS 9 - September 2015
iOS 9 features faster performance and greater battery life along with Siri improvements, including context-related help and address book integration (using contacts for caller ID). Processed locally without going to the cloud, unit conversions are handled in Spotlight, and similar to Google app indexing, support for deep linking within an app was added. A News aggregator app refines its selections the more it is used, and iPads can multitask two apps in a split screen. All the keyboard keys display both lower and upper case characters for the first time, and a "Move to iOS" app copies all common files (contacts, photos, etc.) from an Android device to an iPhone.

iOS 8 - September 2014
Retaining the iOS 7 user interface, iOS 8 features Shazam integration with Siri along with HealthKit for wearable tech and HomeKit for home automation. Extensions are an internal architecture that lets apps use functions in other apps. For example, third-party keyboards can be used in compliant apps, and within a text editor, an image can be modified using the functions of a photo editor app. Handoff provides mobile-to-desktop switching, allowing documents begun in iOS to be finished in OS X Version 10.10 (see Yosemite) and vice versa. For the first time, the user's data are encrypted in the device, which cannot be revealed even by Apple without the passcode. The Metal graphics API was added, allowing game developers to get closer to the hardware.

iOS 7 - September 2013
A complete change in user interface design since the iPhone's inception. For details, see iOS 7.

iOS 6 - September 2012
Coinciding with the iPhone 5, Facetime is also available over cellular instead of only Wi-Fi. Along with Facebook integration, improved mail, Web browsing and Siri functionality, Apple replaced Google's map data with its own (see Apple Maps). The YouTube app, built in since day one, was removed and must be downloaded separately. Photos can be selected and shared, and a new Passbook app, later renamed "Wallet," stores coupons, tickets, etc. (see Apple Wallet). Phone calls can be answered with stock messages such as "I'll call you later" or a custom message. See iPhone 5.

iOS 5 - October 2011
A major upgrade introduced with the iPhone 4s. From now on, iOS can be updated over the air instead of only via iTunes and a computer, and iCloud can synchronize data among all Apple devices wireless as well (see iCloud). Camera enhancements, such as cropping and red-eye reduction were added, along with Twitter integration, and similar to the Android, a notification center allows users to review messages and alerts in a central location. iMessage lets users text message to other iOS devices that are iOS 5 compliant (see iMessage), and location-based Reminders can, for example, alert people to pick up their prescription when they are nearby their pharmacy. See iPhone 4s.

iOS 4 - June 2010
Coinciding with the iPhone 4, Apple licensed the iOS brand name from Cisco, and iPhone OS was renamed iOS. Along with multitasking, Apple touted more than 100 new features. Folders were added, allowing a user to create one by dragging one app icon onto another in wiggle mode. See iPhone 4.

iPhone OS 3 - June 2009
Debuting on the iPhone 3G S, many features were added, including cut, copy and paste (glaringly missing in previous versions), a global search, multiplayer gaming, turn-by-turn navigation using a third-party app, purchasing upgrades within the app, and push notifications (apps notified even if not running) and MMS multimedia messaging. It was also available for the iPhone 3G and iPod touch.

iPhone OS 2 - July 2008
Debuting with the iPhone 3G and the App Store, iPhone OS 2 supported third-party apps. It included numerous user enhancements, including screen capture and tapping the top of the screen to scroll to the top.

iPhone OS 1 - June 2007
First version of iPhone and operating system. See iPhone.