iOS 18 was officially released to the public on September 16, 2024. With this latest software update, Apple continues its tradition of supporting a wide range of iPhones, including models dating back to 2018. This version introduces powerful AI capabilities, enhanced user interface customization, and improved app experiences, making it one of the most feature-rich iterations of iOS to date.
As we enter mid-2025, iOS 18 has achieved impressive adoption rates and maturity in its features. With numerous customization tools and AI-driven enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence, it’s evident that this version has set the stage for Apple’s next significant advancement—iOS 26.
iOS 18 Adoption Soars
iOS 18 is now running on 88% of iPhones released in the past four years and 82% of all active iPhones, making it one of the fastest-adopted versions in iOS history. On the iPad side, 81% of recent models and 71% of all iPads have made the jump to iPadOS 18. This strong adoption rate even surpasses what iOS 17 achieved at the same time last year.
Apple’s tight ecosystem integration, along with the phased rollout of Apple Intelligence features, is a major reason why so many users upgraded early. And the pace isn’t slowing—continued beta testing and AI enhancements are keeping iOS 18 front and center in Apple’s software strategy.
iOS 18 Updates: From Genmoji to Parental Alerts
iOS 18’s incremental updates have added considerable depth to the platform:
- Apple Intelligence (AI): Introduced in iOS 18.1 and rolled out fully in iOS 18.3, Apple’s suite of on-device AI features includes Writing Tools, Genmoji creation, Visual Intelligence (which identifies elements in photos), and smarter Siri responses. These tools are privacy-focused, running directly on-device for A17 and M-series chip users.
- Photos Redesign: The app received its biggest revamp yet with dynamic, automatically curated Collections and streamlined navigation via a unified view.
- Home Screen Customization: iOS 18 allows full icon and widget placement freedom. Users can now tint icons and use a dark mode for a cleaner look.
- Control Center Overhaul: Users can now swipe through multiple pages of controls and customize layouts with a new Controls Gallery.
- Messages Improvements: With support for RCS, scheduled messages, text effects, and better media sharing, iMessage has finally stepped into a more cross-platform era.
- Mail Categorization: Borrowing from Gmail’s playbook, Apple’s Mail app now divides your inbox into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions.
- Maps Upgrade: Detailed topographic maps, trail overlays for all U.S. national parks, and offline routing make the app far more useful for hikers and travelers.
- New Passwords App: Apple now offers a standalone app for managing logins, 2FA codes, and Wi-Fi credentials—finally rivaling services like 1Password and Bitwarden.
- App Locking and Privacy Tools: Individual apps can now be locked with Face ID or Touch ID, and their contents hidden from search, multitasking previews, and notifications.
Beta Features: 18.4 and 18.5
iOS 18.4 and 18.5 are continuing to refine the Apple Intelligence experience:
- Priority Notifications: This AI-powered system learns which alerts matter most and surfaces them based on usage patterns.
- Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro: This feature, originally for the newest iPhones, has expanded to slightly older models through software-side Action Button integration.
- Mail Enhancements: Smarter categorization and predictive autofill have been introduced to reduce email overload.
- Pride Wallpaper & Screen Time Alerts: iOS 18.5 includes a vibrant new wallpaper and introduces alerts when kids attempt to bypass parental controls—a direct response to growing privacy concerns from families.
What’s Next: iOS 26 (Formerly iOS 19)
Instead of calling it iOS 19, Apple is expected to jump straight to iOS 26, aligning the version number with the calendar year. This new update will be revealed at WWDC 2025 (June 9–13) and may represent one of the biggest visual and functional overhauls since iOS 7.
Key Features Expected in iOS 26:
- “Solarium” Design Language: A translucent, glass-inspired aesthetic across iOS, macOS, and visionOS. Expect redesigned icons, toggles, and notifications to feel more spatial and immersive.
- Expanded Apple Intelligence: Enhanced context awareness, proactive Siri suggestions, live call summarization, and AI-generated app actions are all on the horizon.
- Desktop Mode for iPhone: With USB-C now standard, Apple may unveil a desktop experience when iPhones are docked—offering multitasking like Stage Manager.
- New Gaming App: A rebranded alternative to Game Center is reportedly coming, with richer social features, achievements, and event-based multiplayer tracking.
- AirPods Features: Rumored upgrades include live translation, gesture controls, sleep tracking, and remote camera shutter activation.
- Camera App Redesign: Inspired by visionOS, this revamp will bring translucent controls and AI-suggested settings, including framing tips and light balance adjustments.
- Siri 2.0: The voice assistant is expected to become dramatically smarter, potentially incorporating Google Gemini integration alongside Apple’s own LLM. This hybrid setup may offer better conversational depth and broader answers.
- Notes & Markdown Support: Apple Notes is rumored to support Markdown exports, letting users write with lightweight syntax and share their notes more easily.
- CarPlay Redesign: A new interface is coming for vehicles that use next-gen CarPlay, with widgets, flexible layouts, and more visual continuity with iOS.
Summary
iOS 18 is a defining chapter for Apple, introducing meaningful personalization and setting the stage for true on-device AI. With a solid adoption rate and increasingly intelligent features, it has already reshaped how users interact with their devices.
But iOS 26 promises to be something bigger: a platform-wide transformation in both design and intelligence, bringing Apple’s visionOS philosophy to the iPhone and beyond.
The future of iOS isn’t just smarter—it’s more beautiful, more useful, and more seamlessly connected to the entire Apple ecosystem.
iOS 18 Supported Devices
iPhone users have widely embraced iOS 18, which is compatible with all models equipped with the A12 Bionic chip or newer. This includes the iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and every subsequent model, such as the iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd gen), and the entire iPhone 12 through iPhone 16 series.
Apple has ended support for devices using the A11 Bionic chip and earlier. That means iPhones like the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X did not make the cut and are now limited to older versions of iOS, although they may still receive important security updates for a limited time.
iOS 18 includes updates to Safari, Notes, Journal, Messages, Control Center, and many other key apps and system features. The update also lays the groundwork for Apple Intelligence—Apple’s privacy-focused approach to on-device AI tools—available on newer models with sufficient processing power.
iOS 18 supports a wide range of iPhone models, generally those from 2018 onwards. However, it’s important to note that while all these devices can run iOS 18, certain advanced features, particularly Apple Intelligence, require newer, more powerful chips.
Here’s the list of iPhones compatible with iOS 18:
- iPhone 16 Series: (iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e) – These models ship with iOS 18 and fully support Apple Intelligence.
- iPhone 15 Series: (iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max) – iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max support Apple Intelligence due to their A17 Pro chip.
- iPhone 14 Series: (iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max)
- iPhone 13 Series: (iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max)
- iPhone 12 Series: (iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max)
- iPhone 11 Series: (iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max)
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Important Note on Apple Intelligence: As mentioned, while older iPhones can run iOS 18, the generative AI features of Apple Intelligence are limited to iPhones with an A17 Pro chip or newer. This currently includes the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all models in the iPhone 16 series.
Key Takeaways
- iOS 18 released to the public on September 16, 2024.
- Compatible with all iPhones that have an A12 Bionic chip or newer (iPhone XS, XR, and later).
- iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X are not supported.
- Features major UI customization, Apple Intelligence integration, and enhanced built-in apps.
iOS 18 Supported Devices
iOS 18 is compatible with a broad lineup of iPhones, from recent flagship devices to slightly older models still capable of running Apple’s latest software smoothly. Here’s a breakdown by generation.
New iPhone Models Compatibility
iPhone 16 series devices—iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max—take full advantage of everything iOS 18 has to offer, especially Apple Intelligence features designed for the A18 chip.
The iPhone 15 lineup (including the Pro and Pro Max models) also supports iOS 18 without any compromises. These devices include enough power and memory to enable all AI-enhanced features and system animations.
Previous Generations Support
iOS 18 is available for the following iPhone generations as well:
- iPhone 14 series (14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max)
- iPhone 13 series (13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max)
- iPhone 12 series (12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max)
- iPhone 11 series (11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max)
- iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
While all these models can run iOS 18, certain advanced AI functions—especially those related to Apple Intelligence—are only available on the latest devices due to hardware constraints.
Legacy Devices and iOS 18
Apple’s cutoff for iOS 18 support is the A12 Bionic chip, introduced with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. These models remain the oldest iPhones eligible for iOS 18.
The iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus have reached the end of the line in terms of major OS updates. They continue to receive critical security patches but won’t see new iOS features going forward.
Minimum iOS 18 Requirements:
- A12 Bionic chip or newer
- 2GB RAM or more
- iPhone XS / XR or newer
On older supported models like the iPhone XS, performance may be adequate for most users, though some new capabilities will be disabled due to hardware limitations.
Enhancements and Features
iOS 18 brings sweeping changes across customization, security, privacy, and AI capabilities. From a reimagined Control Center to on-device Apple Intelligence features, the update reshapes how users interact with their iPhones daily.
Notable System Upgrades
- Home Screen widget freedom with icon repositioning
- Custom themes and color palettes across the OS
- Redesigned Control Center with swipeable pages
- Expanded Lock Screen options with font and layout control
- Smart notifications with priority grouping
Apple Intelligence Features
Apple Intelligence, available only on the latest iPhones with A17 or newer chips, powers private on-device AI tools for summarization, image recognition, Siri upgrades, and writing suggestions. These tools do not require cloud processing, enhancing both speed and privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did iOS 18 come out?
iOS 18 was released to the public on September 16, 2024, following its debut at WWDC on June 10, 2024.
What iPhones support iOS 18?
All iPhones with the A12 Bionic chip or newer: iPhone XR, XS, and all models through the iPhone 16 series. Devices older than these are not eligible.
Can iOS 18 run on the iPhone 8 or iPhone X?
No, the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X are no longer supported. Their final major iOS update was iOS 17.
Do all devices get the new AI features?
No. Apple Intelligence requires an A17 chip or later, meaning it’s only available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 models.
