Which iPhone will get iOS 18?
Therefore, the iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd gen) and all the models of the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 series would make it into the iOS 18 compatible devices list. Of course, the iPhone 16 lineup will come with iOS 18 right out of the box.
With iOS 17 dropping support for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X - all of which were released in 2017 - it is possible it will be the 2018 models on the chopping block for iOS 18. If that is the case, the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR won't be compatible.
Supported devices
iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. iPhone 11. iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. iPhone SE (2nd gen)
- Models compatible with iOS 17.
- iPhone XR.
- iPhone XS.
- iPhone XS Max.
- iPhone 11.
- iPhone 11 Pro.
- iPhone 11 Pro Max.
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
Update iPhone manually
At any time, you can check for and install software updates. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. The screen shows the currently installed version of iOS and whether an update is available. To turn off automatic updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
Who can download iOS 17? Owners of newer iPhones, such as the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max, the iPhone 11, iPhone SE (second generation and up), iPhone 12, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 can download iOS 17, Apple's website shows. However, earlier model iPhones will not support the system update.
iOS 18: expected compatibility
Apple dropped support for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, all of which landed in the same year as each other (2017).
The new version of Apple's mobile operating system was released Sept. 18. Apple's iOS 17 software has been available to most iPhones since Sept. 18, but some people never got the update.
The 6s and 6s Plus, alongside the 1st generation SE, are the longest supported iPhones ever released, through seven major versions of iOS from iOS 9 to iOS 15.
The iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 both run iOS 12, for which Apple issued a security update in January 2023. This update was issued for those few devices that don't support iOS 15. Apple is unlikely to continue support for iOS 12. These phones are considered vintage by Apple.
Will iPhone 7 still work in 2023?
Will the iPhone 7 still work in 2023? Even though the iPhone 7 is no longer supported by Apple's iOS updates, that doesn't mean you still can't use it in 2023.
Apple's iOS 17.1 and iOS 16.7. 2 both include important security fixes, so you must update to one of them. The iOS 17.1 update is going to be more secure overall, because iOS 17 is patched more quickly, plus it includes enhancements to Lockdown Mode and other security features.
iOS 18: Supported devices
Should Apple stick to that five year window, that would place phones released in 2019 on the chopping block for iOS 18 support. As of next fall, the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max will be hitting that five year mark, meaning they're the most likely to be cutoff from future iOS updates.
Siri has been around since iOS 5 in 2011, but with iOS 18 Apple's voice-activated assistant could get a lot smarter. Generative AI technology "should improve how both Siri and the Messages app can field questions and auto-complete sentences," according to Gurman.
Wi-Fi messaging between iPhones and Android devices. Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users. Improved encryption compared to SMS.
Check compatibility
You will only see updates that are compatible with your current software version. If you have not downloaded the most current release, you will not see the option to install the latest release. Find out which iPhone models are compatible with iOS 17.
In fact, the iPhone 8 received the most recent iOS 16.3. 1 update on Feb 13, 2023. However, keep in mind that Apple only supports software updates up to 6 years after the original release of the device, so the iPhone 8 will likely stop receiving updates by 2024.
| Model | Release date | Supported |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS / XS Max | Sep 21, 2018 | Yes – Until 2025 |
| iPhone XR | Oct 26, 2018 | Yes – Until 2025 |
| iPhone 11 | Sep 20, 2019 | Yes – Until 2026 |
| iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max | Sep 20, 2019 | Yes – Until 2026 |
According to the source, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X will not receive the new iOS update. Additionally, the first-generation iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch, and the fifth-generation iPad may also miss out on the iPadOS 17 update.
Wondering whether your old iPhone can still get run the latest version of iOS? iPhones generally receive software updates for about 5 years, but that's not a hard rule.
Which iPhones are obsolete?
- iPhone 8 (Plus)
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
- iPhone 6(S) and 6(S) Plus.
- iPhone 5, 5S, and 5C.
- iPhone 4 and 4S.
- Older models.
Contact Posters in iOS 17 brings visuals to contacts similar to those iOS 16 brought to the lock screen. But I found Contact Posters more fun than useful. The largest visual change is StandBy mode, which turns your iPhone into a mini hub filled with widgets, photos and customizable clocks.
As security researcher Josh Long puts it, if your iPhone can run iOS 17 and you care about security, you should upgrade. He points out that Apple has patched over 70 vulnerabilities between iOS 17 and iOS 17.1. “Meanwhile, iOS 16.7 has gotten half as many patches,” he says.
iOS 17 is available today as a free software update.
Now that the full version of iOS 17 is available to the public the beta testing continues. On December 12 Apple issued the first beta of iOS 17.3 to developers. The update includes a new Stolen Device Protection feature that should make it harder for thieves to mess up your digital life using a stolen passcode.
