Apple’s Game-Changing Mobile OS, iOS
IOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. Introduced in the wake of the first-generation iPhone, announced June 2007, it took smartphones a long way down a path towards ubiquity. Built on a rock-solid UNIX foundation, iOS delivered an elegant and easy-to-use interface that was familiar to iPhone users, but unique as well.
Originally for iPhone only, the OS was also available to iPod Touch consumers by 2010 having introduced onto the iPad ifelt the following12 months. The change was a recognition of its increasing prominence on Apple platforms. More and more, however, the iPad’s own capabilities diverged from the iPhone and with 2019’s iOS 13, Apple introduced iPadOS to better suit those changes in use cases.Best Android tablets of 2020.
As iOS matured, it became the underpinning for a growing family of operating systems across devices which included watchOS (for Apple Watch), tvOS (for Apple TV), and over time placed many architectural similarities with macOS, an operating system to power Mac computers.
Apple releases updates to iOS in an annual cycle, unveiling major new versions at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, then pushing changes live for the general public around the same time its newest iPhone models go on sale. For much of its earlier history — from 2007 through to 2010 — releases were in June or July, except iOS 5 which was released in October 2011.
To date, Apple has released eighteen major versions of iOS, the latest being iOS 18 on September 16, 2024. Every new version involves a blend of visible improvements, security updates, and newer features with the goal of enhancing usability, privacy, and synergy throughout Apple’s ecosystem — maintaining iOS as among the most cutting-edge and user-friendly mobile OSes around.
1. What is iOS?
iOS is Apple’s mobile operating system, designed to run on the iPhone, iPod touch (discontinued), and iPad (until Apple introduced iPadOS in 2019). It’s the software that powers everything on an iPhone, from the user interface to apps, security, and connectivity. iOS is known for being smooth, secure, and deeply integrated with Apple’s ecosystem.
2. When was iOS first released?
The first version of iOS, then called iPhone OS, was released on June 29, 2007, alongside the original iPhone. It was revolutionary at the time, featuring a full multi-touch interface without physical keyboards, which set the standard for modern smartphones.
3. Why was the name changed from iPhone OS to iOS?
In 2010, with the release of iOS 4, Apple renamed “iPhone OS” to iOS. This was because the software was no longer just for iPhones but also ran on the iPod touch and iPad. The name change reflected Apple’s broader vision for the operating system.
4. How does iOS compare to Android?
iOS and Android are the two dominant mobile operating systems. iOS is often seen as more secure, optimized, and user-friendly, while Android is valued for its customization and variety of devices. Apple tightly controls iOS hardware and software, which allows for smoother performance but less customization compared to Android.
5. What makes iOS unique?
iOS stands out for its seamless ecosystem integration. Features like iMessage, FaceTime, AirDrop, Handoff, and iCloud work smoothly across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. This tight ecosystem keeps users loyal to Apple products.
6. How does iOS handle security and privacy?
Apple has built iOS with strong security and privacy protections, including regular updates, encryption, app sandboxing, and permissions control. Features like App Tracking Transparency give users control over how apps track their data, making privacy a core selling point for iOS compared to competitors.
7. What is the App Store’s role in iOS?
The App Store, launched in 2008, is one of iOS’s biggest strengths. It allows developers to create apps and distribute them directly to users. Over time, it has become a multi-billion-dollar economy, offering everything from productivity tools to entertainment, games, and education apps.
8. How has iOS evolved over time?
iOS has gone from a simple system with no App Store, no copy-paste, and no multitasking to a feature-rich platform with widgets, advanced multitasking (on iPad), AI-powered features, and deep customization. Each yearly update brings new improvements in design, security, and functionality.
9. What devices currently run iOS?
Today, iOS exclusively powers the iPhone. The iPad now runs iPadOS, a branch of iOS tailored for larger screens and productivity. Other Apple devices like the Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Mac run watchOS, tvOS, and macOS, but all share the same foundation with iOS.
10. Why is iOS important in the tech world?
iOS is more than just an operating system — it helped shape the modern smartphone industry. Its intuitive design, App Store, and ecosystem integration set the standard for mobile computing. Today, iOS continues to influence technology trends, from mobile payments (Apple Pay) to AI-driven features like Siri.
| Version | Initial release date | Latest version | Latest release date | Device end-of-life | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad | iPhone | iPod Touch | ||||
| iPhone OS 1 | June 29, 2007 | 1.1.5 | July 15, 2008 | — | — | |
| iPhone OS 2 | July 11, 2008 | 2.2.1 | January 27, 2009 | |||
| iPhone OS 3 | June 17, 2009 | 3.2.2 | August 11, 2010 | 1st[a] | 1st[a] | |
| iOS 4 | June 21, 2010 | 4.3.5[b] | July 25, 2011 | 3G[c] | 2nd[c] | |
| iOS 5 | October 12, 2011 | 5.1.1 | May 25, 2012 | 1st | — | 3rd |
| iOS 6 | September 19, 2012 | 6.1.6 | February 21, 2014 | — | 3GS | 4th |
| iOS 7 | September 18, 2013 | 7.1.2 | June 30, 2014 | 4 | — | |
| iOS 8 | September 17, 2014 | 8.4.1 | August 13, 2015 | — | ||
| iOS 9 | September 16, 2015 | 9.3.6 | July 22, 2019 | 2, 3rd, Mini[d] | 4s | 5th[d] |
| iOS 10 | September 13, 2016 | 10.3.4 | 4th[e] | 5, 5c[e] | — | |
| iOS 11 | September 19, 2017 | 11.4.1 | July 9, 2018 | — | ||
| iOS 12 | September 17, 2018 | 12.5.7 | January 23, 2023 | Air (1st), Mini 2, Mini 3 | 5s, 6 | 6th |
| iOS 13[f] | September 19, 2019 | 13.7 | September 1, 2020 | See iPadOS version history | — | |
| iOS 14 | September 16, 2020 | 14.8.1 | October 26, 2021 | |||
| iOS 15 | September 20, 2021 | 15.8.4 | March 31, 2025 | 6s, SE (1st), 7 | 7th | |
| iOS 16 | September 12, 2022 | 16.7.11 | 8, X | Discontinued | ||
| iOS 17 | September 18, 2023 | 17.7.2 | November 19, 2024 | — | ||
| iOS 18 | September 16, 2024 | 18.6 | July 29, 2025 | XS, XR | ||
| iOS 26 | Late 2025 | 26.0 beta 4 | July 25, 2025 | TBA | ||
| Legend:UnsupportedSupportedLatest versionPreview version | ||||||
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