Apple (Apple)
Apple today released the new iOS 18 as a free download to all eligible iPhones, which you can find in Software Update settings. If you’re planning on buying one of the new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro models when they launch on September 20, you’ll already have iOS 18 installed. However, not all iPhones can run iOS 18, and even those that can, won’t have all the features of the new Apple Intelligence features.
Tiered updates mean nothing now. Typically, every year some older iPhone models are removed from Apple’s iOS eligibility list. For example, last year the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X were removed from the compatibility list. That meant those iPhone owners couldn’t update to iOS 17 and missed out on some notable features. Meanwhile, some older hardware will get big new features. Consider the upcoming software update that will essentially turn your existing AirPods Pro headphones into hearing aids with built-in hearing testing capabilities. (Apple just received FDA clearance to release that feature later this year.)
We’ll help you find out if your iPhone supports iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence. In addition, Apple has also released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2. If you want a complete list of the new iOS 18, check out Apple’s comprehensive list in PDF format (via MacRumors). Still catching up on all the new features Apple announced at its September 9 launch event? Check out our full review of the AirPods 4, our hands-on preview of the Apple Watch Series 10, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro.
Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 18?
There’s good news: According to Apple, if you had an eligible phone when it updated to iOS 17 last year, your device should be compatible with iOS 18. This means you don’t need to buy a new phone to try out most of the new software features.
In other words, if you have an iPhone from the 2017 model year or earlier (iPhone 8 or iPhone X), you won’t be able to upgrade to the latest iOS, but your phone should still work, although you won’t have access to the latest and greatest features.
Is your iPhone compatible with Apple Intelligence?
Older devices can still support the latest iOS, but you still might not be able to try out the Apple Intelligence beta until next month. Unless you have one of 2023’s top-of-the-line iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, or one of the new iPhone 16 models, your iPhone won’t be eligible.
When will Apple Intelligence features be available?
If your device is compatible with Apple Intelligence, you’ll be able to start trying out some of these features when they arrive on your new iPhone in an update starting in October.
The first round of Apple Intelligence features will be available in English in the U.S. this October, followed in December by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.K. Additional language support, including Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish, will be available over the next year, according to Apple.
As previously reported, Apple Intelligence is not expected to be rolled out to EU countries anytime soon, as the American tech giant is still battling European regulators over the details of implementing the EU’s digital markets law.
The biggest new features in iOS 18
Apple Intelligence is by far the biggest update coming with iOS 18, but its features will be released in small increments over the coming months, and its more advanced features aren’t available on older iPhone models outside of the iPhone 15 Pro series. But the rest of iOS 18 is available now. Here are some of the main features you can expect when you download Apple’s new software.
Passwords App: Securely store all your credentials in one place, including passwords and security alerts that you can access directly within the app. (This feature is currently in Settings, but moving it to the new app will make it easier to find and access.)
Improved Messages app: The new iMessages experience adds options to make text bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough. You can also add animations to your text messages. This update also brings RCS to iPhone to better support Android compatibility.
Organized Photo Library: The Photos app has been redesigned to let you create and pin your own collections right within the app, such as “Wedding Photos” or “Trip to Aruba.” The current tabbed bottom will be removed in favor of a grid layout. The updated carousel view that was advertised at WWDC has been removed during the beta process.
Personalized Home Screen Layout: You finally have the option to rearrange your apps. For example, you can leave the center space free for your home screen photos and instead place only the apps on the screen borders. You can also change the look of your apps by tinting them in any color or making them larger.
There are plenty of other tweaks and improvements to keystone apps like Maps, Calendar, and Safari.Here’s Cherlynn Low’s picks for the best hidden features of iOS 18 and its sister Apple operating system updates, based on the betas released earlier this year.
Are macOS Sequoia, iPadOS 18, WatchOS 11, and tvOS 18 available now?
Here’s when you can download the latest software updates for your other Apple devices (for most, it’s today).
MacOS Sequoia: September 16
iPadOS 18: September 16
watchOS 11: September 16
tvOS 18: Apple hasn’t announced an official date for the latest tvOS software update, which is still in public beta testing at the moment, but according to MacRumors, it’s nearing the final stages.
visionOS 2: September 16
As for AirPods, Apple has reportedly pushed new firmware to the AirPods Pro earbuds in preparation for features coming in iOS 18. (Note that the hearing aid features mentioned above may not arrive in the first wave of updates, despite recently receiving FDA approval.)
Update, Sept. 16, 1:55 PM ET: It has been confirmed that iOS 18 is now available.
Update, Sept. 12, 3:28 PM ET: Added details about the FDA approving the hearing aid functionality of AirPods Pro.
Update, Sept. 11, 12:13 PM ET: New information has been added about the new firmware being pushed to AirPods Pro earbuds.
Update, Sept. 10, 9:54 a.m. ET: Added release dates for additional Apple OS software updates.
Update, September 9th, 5pm ET: Added details about Apple Intelligence not being available in EU countries.
Update, Sept. 9, 3:37 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with the release dates for iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence.
