iOS is at the nub of the iPhone experience . It ’s the operating system of rules on which everything else sit , while also deliver plenty of features and consecrated apps build by Apple itself . Every year Apple adds new features to compatible iPhones , and through the month that follow more features arrive . If you want to know what the late version of iOS is , or if you ’ve ever wondered about when versions came out and what have they brought , we will answer your questions . We also show you how to check which iOS you ’re currently using and how to update to the latest iteration .
February 2025 : iOS 18.3.1 arrived on February 10 2025 and provides of import security repair relating to an “ extremely sophisticated ” security fault touch on to “ A strong-arm attack [ that ] may disable USB Restricted Mode on a locked equipment”.iPadOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 17.7.5 were released at the same time addressing the same flaw .
This followed iOS 18.3 on January 27 which brought improvement related to Apple Intelligence ( that is now on by default for compatible sound ) .
Steve Jobs holding the first iPhone at the launch in 2007.
iOS version history
iOS made its launching in 2007 alongside the first iPhone . However , when Steve Jobs held the little gimmick aloft uncover it to the world for the first time , it was n’t running iOS 1 . Instead , it was describe by Apple to bepowered by OS X , the software system for the Mac . Over time it was call iPhone atomic number 76 , until finally gaining its now legendary name in the fourth generation of the software package when it was shortened to iOS in 2010 .
Significant milestones are scattered across the iOS timeline , with the first being the introduction of the App Store in iPhone OS 2 in 2008 . Io 4 see the iPad joining the scene and using the operating system alongside the iPhone .
Io 5 was introduced along with the iPhone 4S in 2011 , which see the debut of Siri as a ramp up - in part of the operating system of rules . Sadly , this was the last adaptation of the package to be released when Apple CEO and Founder Steve Jobs was still alive .
Steve Jobs holding the first iPhone at the launch in 2007.
Apple
Things shift importantly in iOS 11 in 2017 as it bring the first touch and motion port , earmark the first iPhone without a Home button – the iPhone X.
Another major shift was with iOS 13 in 2019 , as it marked the bifurcation of Apple ’s mobile operating systems , with iPhones stick on iOS but the newly announced iPadOS power the new iPads . This would continue through to the present day , although the version numbers have stayed in sync , with the latest ones being iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 .
iOS 17andiPadOS 17are the latest versions of the package and launched in September 2023 . You caninstall iOS 17andget iPadOS 17now .
Coming in September 2024 areiOS 18andiPadOS 18 .
List of iOS versions and latest versions
Here ’s a breakdown of all the versions of Io that have been expel , when they were release , when they were last update , and the latest iOS version .
List of iPadOS versions
While iOS was the initial operating system for iPad , this changed with the release of iPadOS 13 in 2019 . Since then , iPads have had their own platform , enable Apple to better harness the power of its big devices . Here ’s the shortsighted release account of iPadOS :
Also see : How long does Apple support iPads ?
Which iOS versions are currently supported?
In terms of new feature film , only Io 18 is currently affirm by Apple . For those with iPhones that only run older versions of Io , Apple supports iOS 17 and , potentially iOS 16 with certificate updates ( although as of December 2024 , it is yet to update iOS 16 since the arrival of iOS 18 ) . When iOS 18 arrive Apple break off support for Io 15 – allow for the iPhone SE , iPhone 6s , iPhones 7 and 7 Plus vulnerable . Support for iOS 16 and the iPhones 8 and 8 Plus is likely to continue until September 2025 .
Luckily , many iPhones are able to run support version of iOS . See : How long does Apple stomach iPhones ?
We run through which iPhone supports which edition of iOS in a separate article : iOS compatibility : Find out the latest variant your iPhone can run .
How to tell which version of iOS your iPhone is running
If you ’re not sure which version of iOS you ’re currently using , it ’s very easy to find out . Just go toSettings > General > Aboutand look for theiOS Versionnumber . It ’s the same steps for iPadOS .
metalworks
How to install the latest version of iOS
Updating your iPhone to the up-to-the-minute reading of iOS is simple , so long as your twist is compatible . This does n’t demand much detective oeuvre though , as your iPhone will know whether it is eligible for the upgrade or not .
To find out , go toSettings > General > Software Update , and your iPhone will check to see if there are any available . You may also see a notification on the options page that says ‘ software package Update Available ’ , which you may flick to go straight to the update page . iPadOS launch the same way .
If there are no updates , you ’ll see a message along the lines of ‘ Io is up to escort ’ . Should there be one usable , it should tell you on the silver screen and give you the option to ‘ Download and Install ’ . Do this and your iPhone will automatically apply the update and lend your software to the in vogue version .
you may also translate our tutorial onhow to update iOS on iPhonefor more details .
So , there it is . A potted story of iOS . Want to fuck about all the interlingual rendition of macOS ? Read : Mac OS X and macOS : Every version unfreeze so far . you could also find outwhat the latest version of macOS is .
