iOS versions: Explore every iOS version from day one to today

In summary: - Macworld explores the complete evolution of Apple’s iOS operating system from its 2007 debut as iPhone OS to the anticipated iOS 27 in Fall 2026. - The comprehensive guide covers major milestones including the App Store introduction, Siri’s arrival with iOS 5, and iOS 7’s significant UI redesign with flatter icons. - Apple provides extensive long-term support, with devices like the iPhone 6s receiving over ten years of security updates and iOS 27 expected to support iPhone 12 and newer models. iOS is at the heart of the iPhone experience. It’s the operating system on which everything else sits, while also delivering plenty of features and dedicated apps built by Apple itself. Every year (usually in September) Apple adds new features to compatible iPhones with an update to iOS, and in the months that follow more features arrive. If you want to know what the latest version of iOS is, or if you’ve ever wondered about when versions came out and what features they brought, we will answer your questions. We also show you how to check which iOS you’re currently using and how to update to the latest iteration. The latest version of iOS is iOS 26, which brings a brand new look and lots of new features. iOS 26 arrived in September 2025 and subsequent updates to iOS 26 have added new features. As of May 2026 we are at version iOS 26.5 (with an additional iOS 26.5.1 update for the iPhone 17 series). That will soon change with the arrival of iOS 27 in the fall of 2026. Apple will reveal the new features coming in iOS 27 at WWDC on June 8. You can follow all the news as it happens in our live blog here: Apple WWDC event live blog. Which iOS are we on? As of June 2026, the current version of the iPhone operating system is iOS 26. Specifically, the latest release is iOS 26.5.1, which was issued on June 1, 2026 for iPhone 17 series and the iPhone Air. Other compatible iPhones are running iOS 26.5, which arrived on May 11, 2026. iOS version history: Every iOS and the features it brought There are significant milestones scattered across the iOS timeline: Apple iPhone OS (2007): iOS made its debut in 2007 with the first iPhone. However, when Steve Jobs held the little device aloft revealing it to the world for the first time, it wasn’t running iOS 1. Instead, it was reported by Apple to be powered by OS X, the software for the Mac. Over time it was called iPhone OS, until finally gaining its now legendary name in the fourth generation of the software when it was shortened to iOS in 2010. iPhone OS 2 (2008): The second major release of the iPhone software was groundbreaking because it brought third party apps and introduced the App Store. iPhone OS 3 (2009): This update was designed to make it easier to find things, while at the same time adding the ability to have up to 11 pages to the Home Screen. Messages could support MMS, Video recording became possible and it was possible to save voice notes with the Voice Memos app. iOS 4 (2010): Apple changed the name to iOS and added the ability to put apps in folders for a better organised Home screen with iOS 4. The FaceTime, iBooks and Game Centre apps also arrived. The iPad also joined the scene, sharing the same operating system as the iPhone. iOS 5 (2011): iOS 5 was introduced along with the iPhone 4S in 2011, which saw the debut of Siri as a built-in part of the operating system. The Notification Centre was introduced and iCloud arrived bringing syncronisation between devices. This was the first time iOS could be installed directly on the iPhone without requiring a computer. iOS 6 (2012): This is where Apple Maps came onto the scene. Podcasts and Passbook (now Wallet) apps also arrived. iCloud Photo Stream made it easier to share photos with family and friends. iOS 6 was the last with a skeuomorphic design. iOS 7 (2013): With iOS 7 iPhone users got a redesigned user interface, which looked a lot more modern with flatter icons. iOS 7 introduced AirDrop and CarPlay. Apple iOS 8 (2014): One of the features of iOS 8 was Continuity, which linked the iPhone, iPad and Mac together, so you could “handoff” tasks from one device to another. Family Sharing also arrived making it easier to manage a child’s iPhone. iOS 9 (2015): iOS 9 improved the Notes app, added Apple News, and featured a new Night Shift mode that removed some of the blue light that can disturb circadian rhythms and stop someone sleeping. iOS 10 (2016): There were updates to Messages and changes to the Photos app in iOS 10. A new Home app brought HomeKit control. Maps got a redesign. Universal Clipboard meant that users could copy something on a Mac and paste it on an iPhone, for example. iOS 11 (2017): Things changed significantly in iOS 11 in 2017 as it brought the first touch and gesture interface, allowing the first iPhone without a Home button – the iPhone X. There was a new Files app making it easier to access content synced or saved in iCloud and the Control Centre got a redesign. iOS 12 (2018): Screen Time, Memoji, Group FaceTime and Siri Shortcuts were new in iOS 12. iOS 13 (2019): Another major shift came with iOS 13 in 2019, as Apple’s mobile operating system for the iPad split with the iPhone, with iPadOS powering new iPads. Updates to iOS included Dark Mode, new privacy features and the ability to Sign in with Apple and hide your email address. The Photos and Apple Maps apps got a redesign and a swipe-to-type keyboard was added. iOS 14 (2020): One of the most notable additions was Back Tap, a feature that effectively turned the back of the iPhone into an extra button. Starting with iOS 14.2, music recognition was built directly into the operating system via a Shazam button. Foundry iOS 15 (2021): Focus Mode arrived in iOS 15 to help users manage the onslaught of notifications, Live Text and Visual Look up made it possible to interact with text within photos (Live Text) and use the camera to identify objects like plants and animals. The Safari browser received a major interface update as did Maps and the Weather app. iOS 16 (2022): One of the most visible changes in iOS 16 was the complete overhaul of the Lock screen, which allowed users to add widgets for the first time to view data at a glance without unlocking their devices. Apple added Rapid Security Responses so that it could deliver important security patches outside of an iOS update. iOS 17 (2023): NameDrop in iOS 17 made it possible to share information by bringing two iPhones together. Stolen Device Protection added a layer of security by requiring biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) before an Apple ID password could be changed. Live Voicemail meant that iPhone users could get a live transaction of a message. iOS 18 (2024): The iOS 18 update laid the groundwork for Apple’s subsequent AI initiatives. There was also a complete redesign of the Photos app, a dedicated Passwords app, Control Center Customization and Live Activities (so you could see when your dinner delivery is arriving). iOS 26 (2025): Rather than progress to iOS 19, Apple has aligned the numbering of all its operating systems according to the year with iOS 26. It wasn’t just a name change though, there was a significant visual and functional overhaul with a Liquid Glass design language. Big changes also came to the Phone app with Call Screening and Hold Assist. Live Transaltions make it easy to communicate with foreign friends and colleagues. The Camera app had a simplifying redesign and a Games app replaced Game Centre. Here’s how how iOS 26 and iOS 18 compare. iOS 27 (2026): Apple will be revealing the new features in iOS 27 at WWDC, before it’s launch later in 2026. While Apple has not yet confirmed the update’s specifics, extensive leaks and reports suggest it will be a major release focused on a massive overhaul of Siri. Foundry List of iOS versions and latest versions Here’s a breakdown of all the versions of iOS that have been released, when they were released, when they were last updated, and the latest iOS version. Which iOS versions are currently supported by Apple? In terms of new features, only iOS 26 is currently supported. When Apple introduced iOS 26 it stopped development of new features for iOS 18. The following iPhones support iOS 26: - iPhone 17 Series – iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air (2025), iPhone 17e (2026) - iPhone 16 Series – iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e (2024) - iPhone 15 Series – iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max (2023) - iPhone 14 Series – iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max (2022) - iPhone 13 Series – iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max (2021) - iPhone 12 Series – iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max (2020) - iPhone 11 Series – iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max (2019) - iPhone SE – iPhone SE (2nd gen, 2020), iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022) However, even after Apple stops developing new features for older versions of iOS, it continues to issue security updates for some time. As explained in How long does Apple support iPhones?, Apple often provides security patches for devices that can’t run the latest version of iOS. For example, in May 2026, Apple released an iOS 18 security update that addressed several vulnerabilities. This update was only available for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR – the models that cannot upgrade to iOS 26 – as Apple generally expects supported devices to move to the latest operating system for ongoing security updates. However, this demonstrates that older devices, such as the iPhone XR and XS series, continue to receive security support even though they are unable to run iOS 26. Support extends even further back. Also in May 2026, Apple issued security updates for iOS 15 and iOS 16. Updates iOS 15.8.8 and iOS 16.7.16 patched critical vulnerabilities in older devices, including: - iPhone 6s (all models) - iPhone 7 (all models) - iPhone SE (1st gen) - iPhone 8 and 8 Plus - iPhone X Many of those iPhones are included in Apple’s list of Obsolete and Vintage iPhones. iPhone 6s, iPhone SE, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are all Obsolete, while the iPhone X and iPhone 7 are considered Vintage. Notably, the oldest: 2015’s iPhone 6s continues to receive security updates, marking over ten years of support. Earlier, in January 2026, Apple also released updates for iOS 12, 15, 16 and 18 to extend support for certificates required by services such as iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation, ensuring these features continue to work beyond January 2027. This means that even the iPhone 5s has received some support in 2026. Which iPhones support which iOS versions? Luckily, many iPhones are able to run supported versions of iOS. We run through which iPhone supports which version of iOS in a separate article: iOS compatibility: Find out the latest version your iPhone can run. You may also find this at a glance chart useful: Foundry Which iPhones will get iOS 27? Apple hasn’t yet confirmed which iPhones will run the upcoming iOS 27, but a leak suggested that phones newer than, and including, the iPhone 12 will. So that’s: - iPhone 17 Pro & 17 Pro Max (2025) - iPhone 17 (2025) - iPhone Air (2025) - iPhone 16 Pro & 16 Pro Max (2024) - iPhone 16 & 16 Plus (2024) - iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max (2023) - iPhone 15 & 15 Plus (2023) - iPhone 14 Pro & 14 Pro Max (2022) - iPhone 14 & 14 Plus (2022) - iPhone SE (3rd generation, 2022) - iPhone 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max (2021) - iPhone 13 & 13 mini (2021) - iPhone 12 Pro & 12 Pro Max (2020) - iPhone 12 & 12 mini (2020) So, there it is. A potted history of iOS. Want to know about all the versions of macOS? Read: Mac OS X and macOS: Every version released so far. You can also find out what the latest version of macOS is.