Apple released the new iOS 18 on Monday, which can be installed on all compatible iPhones. Here’s how to download and install the new update. iOS 18 is already installed on the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models (see our iPhone 16 Pro review), which will be available on September 20. However, not all iPhones can run iOS 18, and even those that can, don’t have all the features of the new Apple Intelligence features.
This layering of updates isn’t new. 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. On the other hand, some older hardware gets big new features. Consider the upcoming software update that essentially turns existing AirPods Pro headphones into hearing aids, with a built-in hearing test feature. (Apple just received FDA clearance to release that feature later this year.)
We will let you know if your iPhone supports iOS 18 and if Apple Intelligence supports it. In addition, Apple has also released a firmware update for AirPods Pro 2. If you want to know the complete list of new features in iOS 18, check it out here. An exhaustive list of Apple’s PDF formats (Via MacRumors). Still catching up on all the new features Apple announced at its September 9th launch event? Check out our full AirPods 4 review and hands-on previews of the Apple Watch Series 10, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro.
Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 18?
The good news is, if you had an eligible phone when it updated to iOS 17 last year, your device should still be compatible with iOS 18. According to AppleThis 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, 2017 and earlier models (iPhone 8 or iPhone X), you won’t be able to upgrade to the latest iOS, but your phone should still work, even though you won’t have the latest and greatest features.
Is your iPhone compatible with Apple Intelligence?
Older devices will still support the latest iOS, but they might not be able to try out the Apple Intelligence beta next month unless you have an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max (the higher-end 2023 models) or one of the new iPhone 16 models. iPhones are not 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. English-localized features will be available in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.K. in December. Additional language support, including Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish, will be available over the next year. Apple says.
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 the biggest update yet Coming to iOS 18Its features will be released in a more piecemeal fashion over the coming months, and the more advanced features won’t be available on older iPhone models outside of the iPhone 15 Pro series. However, the rest of iOS 18’s features are available now. Here are some of the highlights you can expect when you download Apple’s new software:
Password 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[è¨å®š]but moving to the new app will make it easier to find and access.)
Messages app improvements: The new iMessage experience adds options to make text bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough. You can also add animations to your text messages. The update also brings RCS to iPhone to better support Android compatibility.
Organized Photo Library: The Photos app has been redesigned, allowing you to create and pin your own collections within the app, for example “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 get the option to rearrange your apps. For example, you can leave the center space free for your home screen photos and instead place only 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).
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MacOS Sequoia: September 16
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iPadOS 18: September 16
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WatchOS11: September 16
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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 is nearing the final stages. From MacRumors:.
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Vision OS2: September 16
When it comes to AirPods, Apple It has reportedly pushed out new firmware Get ready for features coming to your AirPods Pro earbuds with iOS 18. (Note that the hearing aid features mentioned above may not be included in the first wave of updates, despite recently receiving FDA approval.)
Update, September 16, 1:55 p.m.: We’ve confirmed that iOS 18 is now available.
Update September 12th, 3:28pm: Added details about FDA approval of hearing aid functionality for AirPods Pro.
Update, Sept. 11, 12:13 p.m. ET: It adds new information about the new firmware pushed to the AirPods Pro earbuds.
Update, Sept. 10, 9:54 a.m. ET: Added release dates for additional Apple OS software updates.
Updated September 9th, 5pm ET: Added details about Apple Intelligence not being available in EU countries.
Update September 9, 3:37pm: This story has been updated with the release dates for iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence.
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