iOS Version History: Complete List from iOS 1 to iOS 26

There is a grid of rectangles with summaries of past conversations that users can tap into, a search bar, and a “+” button for starting a new conversation. When Siri is activated with the Siri wake word or through the iPhone’s side button, a pill-shaped animation will be displayed in the Dynamic Island. Siri will largely live in the Dynamic Island, but there will also be a dedicated Siri app for the first time.
As we explain in our guide to how long Apple supports iPhones, Apple does tend to drop devices from new OS releases after about seven years, so their omission isn’t really surprising. The first developer beta is set to arrive on June 8, followed by a public beta in early July. Apple typically launches new versions of iOS in September, often around the second week – making Monday, September 14 a likely release date based on past patterns. Plans change of course, and you shouldn’t consider anything to be set in stone until Apple makes a formal announcement.
Users will be able to describe what they want to tap, zoom, or scroll to using context like color or content, showing how Apple’s AI is becoming more capable of understanding on-screen information. These widgets will be aureonplay organized into categories such as Basic, Manual, and Settings, allowing users to tailor the camera interface to their preferences. According to a report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, users will be able to switch to a new Advanced mode or build their own layout using customizable widgets. He also indicates that there may be a “Write with Siri” button and a “Help Me Write” option. In a May report, Gurman wrote that Writing Tools will get an AI-related update to be more capable, including checking grammar, and will be more easily discoverable in the operating system. Rumored features include AI-powered vision recognition that would allow devices to identify users and understand what they are doing while maintaining privacy protections.
However, unlike previous versions it displays screenshots of open applications on top of the icon and horizontal scrolling allows for browsing through previous apps, and it is possible to close applications by dragging them up, similar to how WebOS handled multiple cards. With the introduction of iOS 7, double-clicking the home button also activates the application switcher. A scrollable dock-style interface appears from the bottom, moving the contents of the screen up. In iOS 4.0 to iOS 6.x, double-clicking the home button activates the application switcher. In iOS 7, Apple introduced a new multitasking feature, providing all apps with the ability to perform background updates.

• People jailbreak for many different reasons, including gaining filesystem access, installing custom device themes, and modifying SpringBoard.
• These widgets will be organized into categories such as Basic, Manual, and Settings, allowing users to tailor the camera interface to their preferences.
• Students have the opportunity to participate in the “Enterprise Track”, an in-depth training experience on the entire life cycle of an app, from design to implementation, to security, troubleshooting, data storage and cloud usage.
• The news is that iOS 18.7.9, released at the same time as iOS 26.5, is only compatible with the older trio of phones mentioned above.
• In order for the device to start completely and with a patched kernel, it must be “re-jailbroken” with a computer (using the “boot tethered” feature of a tool) each time it is turned on.
• Other companies have also created tools that allow for the development of native iOS apps using their respective programming languages.

Explore in-app events like movie premieres, gaming competitions, and livestreams.

Previously created images are displayed in a grid with more rounded edges, and instead of a New Image button, there’s a “+” button. Apple may also integrate an “Ask Siri” button into the menus of other apps, giving users a way to send content directly to Siri alongside a request. Siri will support both text and voice-based conversations, much like other chatbot apps. When unfolded, the iPhone will have an iPad-like layout that supports multitasking with two apps side-by-side. AI-powered Shortcuts will be able to be created using plain language for the first time, too. The revamped assistant is said to be built on a new foundation model reportedly based on Google’s Gemini technology, with Apple adding its own enhancements, privacy protections, and safeguards on top.

Multitasking

IOS utilizes many security features in both hardware and software. SIM unlocking is not jailbreaking, but a jailbreak is also required for these unofficial software unlocks. Modern versions of iOS and the iPhone fully support LTE across multiple carriers wherever the phone was purchased. Unlocking an iPhone allows the iPhone to be used with any wireless carrier using the same GSM or CDMA technology for which the particular phone model was designed to operate.

• Apple products use industry-leading technology to bring apps to life — so you can experience more of the amazing things your devices are capable of.
• The iPhone also can be used as a multimedia playback device for listening to music or viewing videos.
• Apple significantly extended the cycle of updates for iOS-supported devices over the years.
• Jason has written about technology for more than 25 years – first in the gaming press, then focusing on enthusiast PCs and general technology.
• And a big part of those experiences is ensuring that the apps we offer are held to the highest standards for privacy, security, and content.
• The first time a third‑party app wants to access your information — like your location, contacts, calendars, or photos — you receive an alert.

iOS 27 Camera app changes

The two surprising releases were in response to particular security threats such as the recent DarkSword and Coruna exploits. The news is that iOS 18.7.9, released at the same time as iOS 26.5, is only compatible with the older trio of phones mentioned above. New versions of iOS, macOS, and Apple’s other software platforms will be previewed in June at WWDC before launching in September just ahead of when new iPhone models come out. IOS 27 could drop support for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and second-generation iPhone SE. Some of these features might require new hardware, but options like Apple Maps via satellite would not require components beyond what’s available now. When in Siri mode, the existing Camera app shutter button will feature the Apple Intelligence logo, letting users know the Siri features are available.
IOS 4 introduced folders, which can be created by dragging an application on top of another, and from then on, more items can be added to the folder using the same procedure. With the release of iPhone OS 3.2, users gained the ability to set a wallpaper for the Home Screen. This endows Spotlight with Siri suggestions, which include app suggestions, contact suggestions and news. When a passcode is set and a user switches on the device, the passcode must be entered at the Lock Screen before access to the Home screen is granted. The screen has a status bar across the top to display data, such as time, battery level, and signal strength.

Designed for discovery.

For the first time, users could install third-party keyboards and widgets. Although its OS was based on the Mac OS X, Jobs still modeled the original iPhone after the iPod, requiring that all its applications be designed by Apple and preinstalled on the device. The platform formerly also supported the company’s iPad (until 2019) and iPod Touch (until 2022) devices. Widgets will be organized into categories that include basic, manual, and settings.

Folders

Control Center, improved multitasking, and redesigned icons gave iOS a fresh identity. Wallpaper customization also became possible for the first time. The big upgrade was multitasking, letting users switch between apps without fully closing them. For the first time, users could copy and paste text, send MMS, and search more effectively.

Google Using iPhone 17 Pro at I/O 2026 Was Likely Planned From the Start

Apple significantly extended the cycle of updates for iOS-supported devices over the years. Further, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and iPads either also use iOS for some models or use OSes based on iOS for other models. IOS 11, released in 2017, dropped support for all iOS devices with 32-bit ARM processors as well as 32-bit applications, making iOS 64-bit only. With currently supported ARM architectures being various versions of the ARMv8 and ARMv9 architectures. It allows users to “invite friends to play a game, start a multiplayer game through matchmaking, track their achievements, and compare their high scores on a leaderboard.” iOS 5 and above adds support for profile photos. IOS 17 enabled users to activate Siri by simply saying “Siri”, while the previous command, “Hey Siri”, is still supported.