iOS is at the heart of the iPhone experience. It is the operating system on which everything else sits, while also providing lots 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, several features arrive. If you want to know what the latest version of iOS is or if you have ever speculated when versions came out and what features they brought we will answer your questions. We also show you how to check which iOS you are currently using and how to update to the latest iteration.
In September 2025 there will be a brand new version of iOS. IOS 26 brings a whole new look and lots of new features, but so far iOS 18 is the current version of iOS or more accurate version iOS 18.5.
iOS version history
IOS debuted in 2007 with the first iPhone. But when Steve Jobs held the small device that revealed it to the world for the first time, it didn’t run iOS 1. Instead it was reported by Apple to be powered by OS X, the software for Mac. Over time, it was called iPhone us until it finally got its now legendary name in the fourth generation of the software when it was abbreviated to iOS in 2010.
Significant milestones are spread over the iOS timeline, where the first is the introduction of the App Store in the iPhone OS 2 in 2008. IOS 4 then iPad join the stage and use the operating system with iPhone.
IOS 5 was introduced together with the iPhone 4S in 2011, where the debut of Siri was a built -in part of the operating system. Unfortunately, this was the last version of the software that was released when Apple CEO and founder Steve Jobs were still alive.
Apple
Things changed significantly in iOS 11 in 2017 when it brought the first touch and gesture interface, allowing the first iPhone without a home button – iPhone X.
Another big shift was with iOS 13 in 2019 when it marked the branch of Apple’s mobile operating systems, where iPhones stayed on iOS, but they recently announced iPados that operates the new iPads.
iOS 17 and iPados 17 arrived in 2023, then iOS 18 and iPados 18 in 2024. Instead of moving on to iOS 19, Apple has adjusted the numbering of all its operating systems according to the year – so for 2025 to 2026 version it is iOS 26.
How to compare the two iOS versions: iOS 26 VS iOS 18.
List of iOS versions and latest versions
Here is a breakdown of all versions of iOS that have been released when they were released when they were last updated and the latest iOS version.
- iPhone OS 1 – Published June 29, 2007 (Last 1.1.5 15. July 2008)
- iPhone OS 2 – Published July 11, 2008 (Last 2.2.1 27 January 2009)
- iPhone OS 3 – Published June 17, 2009 (Last 3.2.2 11 August 2010)
- iOS 4 – Published June 22, 2010 (Last 4.3.5 25 July 2011)
- iOS 5 – Published October 12, 2011 (Last 5.1.1 7 May 2012)
- iOS 6 – Published September 19, 2012 (Last 6.1.6 February 21, 2014)
- iOS 7 – Published September 18, 2013 (Last 7.1.2 30. June 2014)
- iOS 8 – Published September 17, 2014 (Last 8.4.1 13 August 2015)
- iOS 9 – Published September 16, 2015 (Last 9.3.6 22 July 2019)
- iOS 10 – Published September 13, 2016 (Last 10.3.4 22 July 2019)
- iOS 11 – Published September 19, 2017 (Last 11.4.1 9 July 2018)
- iOS 12 – Published September 17, 2018 (Last 12.5.7 23 January 2023)
- iOS 13 – Published September 19, 2019 (Last 13.7 1. September 2020)
- iOS 14 – Published September 17, 2020 (Last 14.8.1 26 October 2021)
- iOS 15 – Published September 24, 2021 (Latest iOS 15.8.3 29 July 2024)
- iOS 16 – Published September 12, 2022 (Latest iOS 16.7.10 7. August 2024)
- iOS 17 – Published September 18, 2023 (Latest iOS 17.7.2 19 November 2024)
- iOS 18 – Published September 16, 2024 (Latest iOS 18.3.1 10. February 2025)
- iOS 26 – Coming September 2025
List of iPados versions
While iOS was the initial operating system for iPad, this changed with the release of iPados 13 in 2019. Since then, iPads have had their own platform, enabling Apple to exploit the power of its larger devices. Here is the short release story for iPados:
- iOS 12 – Published September 17, 2018 (Last 12.5.7 23 January 2023)
- iPados 13 – Published September 24, 2019 (Last 13.7 1. September 2020)
- iPados 14 – Published September 16, 2020 (Last 14.8.1 26 October 2021)
- iPados 15 – Published September 20, 2021 (Last 15.8.3 29 July 2024)
- iPados 16 – Published October 24, 2022 (Last 16.7.10 7 August 2024)
- iPados 17 – Published September 18, 2023 (Latest iPados 17.7.5 10. February 2025)
- iPados 18 – Published September 16, 2024 (Latest iPados 18.3.1. 10. February 2025)
- iPados 26 – Coming September 2025
See also: How long does Apple support iPads?
Which iOS versions are currently supported?
In terms of new features, iOS 18 is currently supported by Apple. When Apple introduces iOS 26 later in 2025, it will stop the development of new features for iOS 18, but it will continue to provide security updates.
Apple tends to support the last couple of iOS versions with security updates. From June 2025, Apple supports 17, iOS 16 and iOS 15 with security updates. The latest versions are: iOS 15.8.4 and iOS 16.7.11 (from March 2025) and iOS 17.7.2 (from November 2024).
Apple’s support for iOS 15 was not expected to extend to 2025, but the march security update is good news for those with an iPhone SE, iPhone 6S, iPhones 7 or 7 Plus as they would potentially be vulnerable without the update. We do not expect support for iOS 15 to continue beyond September, and at that time we could also lose support for iOS 16 and iPhones 8 and 8 plus.
Fortunately, many iPhones are able to run supported versions of iOS. See: How long does Apple support iPhones?
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.
How to tell which version of iOS your iPhone is running
If you are not sure which version of iOS you are currently using, it is very easy to find out. Just go to Settings> General> About And look for iOS version number. It’s the same steps for iPados.
Foundry
To install the latest version of iOS
Updating your iPhone to the latest version of iOS is simple as long as your device is compatible. However, this does not require much detective work as your iPhone will know if it is eligible for the upgrade or not.
To find out, go to Settings> General> Software UpdateAnd your iPhone will check if anyone is available. You can also see a review on the Settings page that says ‘Software Update Available’, which you can click to go directly to the update page. iPados works the same way.
Foundry
If there are no updates, you will see a message towards ‘iOS is updated’. Should there be an accessible, it should tell you on the screen and give you the opportunity to ‘download and install’. Do this and your iPhone automatically uses the update and brings your software to the latest version.
You can also read our tutorial on how to update iOS on iPhone for more details.
So there is. A pot story with iOS. Want to know about all versions of macos? Read: Mac OS X and MacOS: Each version released so far. You can also find out what the latest version of MacOS is.