Apple simply launched its new iOS 18 for all eligible iPhones to obtain free right now, which you’ll find within the Software program Replace settings. And in the event you’re planning to purchase one of many new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Professional fashions coming accessible on September 20, they will have already got iOS 18 put in. However not each iPhone will have the ability to run iOS 18, and even those that may will not have all of the bells and whistles of the brand new Apple Intelligence options.
That replace stratification is nothing now. Usually every year, some older iPhone fashions are faraway from Apple’s iOS eligibility record. Final yr, as an illustration, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X have been left off the compatibility record. That meant these iPhone house owners could not replace to iOS 17 and missed out on some notable options. On the flip aspect, some older {hardware} will get main new options: Contemplate the upcoming software program replace that successfully turns current AirPods Professional headphones right into a listening to assist, full with a built-in listening to check. (Apple simply obtained FDA authorization to launch that characteristic later this yr.)
We’ll enable you discover out in case your iPhone will assist iOS 18, in addition to Apple Intelligence. As well as, Apple has additionally launched a firmware replace for AirPods Professional 2. If you need a full record of all the brand new iOS 18, take a look at Apple’s exhaustive record in PDF kind (by way of MacRumors). Nonetheless catching up on all the things new that Apple introduced at its September 9 launch occasion? Take a look at our full AirPods 4 evaluate, together with hands-on previews of the Apple Watch Collection 10, iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional.
iPhones appropriate with iOS 18
Now we have excellent news: When you had an eligible telephone final yr if you up to date to iOS 17, that machine ought to nonetheless be appropriate with iOS 18, in response to Apple. Meaning you will not have to purchase a brand new telephone to take a look at many of the new software program options.
Put one other method, you probably have an iPhone from the 2017 mannequin yr or earlier (iPhone 8 or iPhone X), you’ll be able to’t improve to the newest iOS, however your telephone ought to proceed to work — albeit with out the newest and best options.
Is your iPhone appropriate with Apple Intelligence?
Whereas your older machine will nonetheless have the ability to assist the newest iOS, likelihood is that you just will not get to attempt the Apple Intelligence beta but subsequent month. Except you’ve got an iPhone 15 Professional or iPhone 15 Professional Max — the top-end 2023 fashions — or one of many new iPhone 16 fashions, your iPhone is not eligible.
When will Apple Intelligence options be accessible?
In case your machine is appropriate with Apple Intelligence, you can begin taking part in with a few of these options in October, after they start to hit these newer iPhones in subsequent updates.
The primary spherical of Apple Intelligence options might be accessible in English within the US this October. In December, it’s going to turn out to be accessible in localized English to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. Further language assist, together with Chinese language, French, Japanese and Spanish, might be accessible someday subsequent yr, Apple says.
As beforehand reported, Apple Intelligence will not be making its solution to EU international locations anytime quickly. The American tech big stays locked in a battle with European regulators over enforcement particulars of the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
The largest new iOS 18 options
Whereas Apple Intelligence is by far the most important replace coming with iOS 18, its options are going to be launched extra piecemeal over the following few months. And the extra superior options will not be accessible on older iPhone fashions other than the iPhone 15 Professional collection. However the remainder of the iOS 18 options can be found now. Listed here are simply a few of the highlights you’ll be able to count on if you obtain Apple’s new software program.
Passwords app: Securely retailer all of your credentials in a single place, together with passwords and safety alerts that you would be able to entry straight within the app. (Whereas this performance presently exists in Settings, shifting it to a brand new app ought to make it simpler to find and entry.)
Improved Messages app: A brand new iMessages expertise is bringing the choice to daring, italicize, underline and strikethrough your textual content. You may additionally have the ability to add animations to your textual content messages. The replace can also be bringing RCS to iPhones to higher assist Android compatibility.
An organized images library: The Images app is getting a redesign, which lets you create and pin your individual collections within the app — assume “wedding photos” or “trip to Aruba.” It removes the present tabbed backside and leans right into a grid format. The up to date carousel view that was touted at WWDC was eliminated through the beta course of.
Customized dwelling display format: You may lastly get the choice to rearrange your apps — as an illustration, you’ll be able to go away the center area open to show your private home display picture, and as an alternative have your apps alone the border of the display. It’s also possible to change the looks of the apps by tinting them with any shade, in addition to making the apps bigger.
There are many different tweaks and enhancements to keystone apps like Maps, Calendar, Safari and extra. Take a look at Cherlynn Low’s selections for the finest hidden options of iOS 18 and its sibling Apple working system updates, based mostly on the betas launched earlier this yr.
Are MacOS Sequoia, iPadOS 18, WatchOS 11 and tvOS 18 accessible now?
This is when you’ll be able to obtain the latest software program updates in your different Apple units (most are right now as nicely).
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MacOS Sequoia: September 16
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iPadOS 18: September 16
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WatchOS 11: September 16
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tvOS 18: Apple hasn’t introduced an official date for its newest tvOS software program replace. It is nonetheless in public beta testing right now, although it is near the ultimate levels, per MacRumors.
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visionOS 2: September 16
As for AirPods, Apple has reportedly pushed new firmware to AirPods Professional earbuds to prep for the added options coming to that machine with iOS 18. (Simply be aware that listening to assist performance talked about above might not hit with the primary wave of updates, regardless of its current FDA clearance.)
Replace, September 16, 1:55PM ET: Confirmed iOS 18 availability.
Replace, September 12, 3:28PM ET: Added particulars in regards to the FDA authorizing the listening to assist performance for AirPods Professional.
Replace, September 11, 12:13PM ET: New info added about new firmware pushed to AirPods Professional earbuds.
Replace, September 10, 9:54AM ET: Added launch dates for added Apple OS software program updates.
Replace, September 9, 5:00PM ET: Added particulars relating to the dearth of Apple Intelligence availability in EU international locations.
Replace, September 9, 3:37PM ET: This story has been up to date with the introduced launch dates for iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence.
