Here's the Complete iOS List from Latest to Oldest Versions
Without a doubt, Android and iOS are the two leading mobile operating systems in the market today. Google owns Android, which operates on an open system concept, allowing any vendor to use it freely.
On the other hand, iOS is exclusive to Apple's mobile devices, like the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. This exclusivity often translates into higher prices for iPhones, despite their relatively moderate production costs.
So, why are iPhones so pricey? The high cost can be attributed to several key factors, primarily the exclusivity of iOS and Apple's significant investment in research and development (R&D). Apple designs iOS to be exclusive, ensuring that it integrates seamlessly with the hardware of iPhones, which adds to the overall user experience.
As technology advances, Apple continuously updates iOS with new versions to enhance functionality and security. These updates typically coincide with the launch of the latest iPhone models each year. If you’re interested in the evolution of iOS from its inception, keep reading this article until the end!
For those curious about the iPad-specific version of iOS, known as iPadOS, further information can be found in the article titled "List of Latest iPadOS." Let’s now explore the list of iOS versions, starting from the newest to the oldest.
1. iOS 18

In June 2024, Apple unveiled iOS 18. What's new in iOS 18? This update significantly enhances the iPhone experience with several exciting new features.
For instance, users can now switch apps according to their preferences—a feature already available on Android. However, it seems to take on added importance on iOS.
iOS 18 lets you customize the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center, much like Android. You can rearrange apps and widgets, apply color effects, and even lock specific apps to protect your privacy.
A key highlight of iOS 18 is "Apple Intelligence." This term cleverly redefines 'AI' as Apple Intelligence, bringing artificial intelligence to a more personal and relevant level.
It uses your personal context to provide useful suggestions and information. For example, Apple Intelligence can assist in writing and summarizing long texts, and it prioritizes notifications to help you focus on what's important.
Additionally, you can create fun images and unique 'Genmoji' for chats, or even produce a video of personal memories from a description.
The Photos app also sees major updates. Your photos are automatically organized into categories like 'Last Few Days,' 'Travel,' and 'People & Pets,' with easy access to the collections that matter most. The new Carousel feature showcases the best content beautifully, with daily photo surprises.
With Apple Intelligence, editing photos becomes easier, allowing you to remove specific parts of a photo or generate videos from collected photos.
The Messages app is upgraded too. Now, you can add fun animations to text, words, phrases, or emojis in iMessage, with many suggestions offered as you type.
A significant addition to iMessage is the RCS (Rich Communication Service) feature, enabling message sending not just between Apple devices but also to Android devices.
This opens up communication across platforms, a move that has both pros and cons. It reduces exclusivity but simplifies communication between different operating systems—a commendable development.
Other notable features include Game Mode for more stable game frame rates and a built-in Password app. This app could replace third-party password managers by storing all your login details across various platforms.
Additional updates in iOS 18 include audio-to-text transcription in the Notes app, an enhanced Maps app that now supports route creation and photography, and a Safari browser feature that summarizes articles from websites—a mixed blessing for writers but a time-saver for readers.
iOS 18 is compatible with a range of iPhone models, from the iPhone XS to the latest, such as the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, to fully utilize Apple Intelligence, an A17 Pro chip and at least 8 GB of RAM are recommended, available only in the iPhone 15 Pro models.
2. iOS 17

iOS 17 was unveiled in June 2023, bringing with it a host of interesting features. Some great and noticeable features are the enhanced personalization of calls, messages, and FaceTime video calls. You can now customize the caller ID display with unique contact posters, giving each contact a personalized appearance.
Sending voice messages has been simplified too; they can now be instantly converted into text. This is particularly useful for those who prefer reading messages rather than listening to them.
A new addition to FaceTime is the ability to leave short video messages when you can't answer a call. For Memoji fans, there are more customization options, making them even more fun. FaceTime video calls are livelier with new AR effects like balloons and fireworks.
Although Apple Maps has been improved with offline functionality and 3D maps in major cities, many iPhone users still prefer Google Maps.
Another feature, NameDrop, allows quick sharing of contacts by simply bringing two iPhones close together. No more manual typing is needed. This feature uses the U1 chip found in iPhone 11 models and newer, enabling the exchange of not just phone contacts but also email addresses and more. However, it's only available on iPhone 11 and later models.
Although iOS 17 is available for iPhone Xs series and newer, the Xs series lacks the U1 chip, limiting the use of certain features like NameDrop.
Additionally, the AR features in FaceTime may require newer iPhone models with higher processing capabilities, which could restrict some functionalities on older models.
For writers like me, the Journal app is a really helpful feature. It helps record daily activities and offers writing suggestions. The iOS 17 keyboard has also seen improvements with more accurate autocorrect and prediction features that reduce worries about typos.
Live Voicemail is also another useful feature. It can convert voice messages to text without having to listen to them, which is handy when receiving calls from unknown numbers.
The StandBy Feature is handy when charging your iPhone; it can turn the screen into a display for a clock, calendar, or notifications. The Health app has been updated to include mood logging and a new feature for eye health.
AirDrop in iOS 17 allows for the transfer of large files even over distances, and a new Check In feature lets you notify friends or family when you've safely arrived at a destination.
Privacy has been bolstered in iOS 17, with new features like Communication Security to protect children from sensitive content and warnings before viewing potentially disturbing images or videos.
3. iOS 16

Apple announced the release of iOS 16, the 16th version of its operating system for iPhone products, at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 6, 2022.
The public version was launched on September 12, 2022, and is available for iPhone 8 and newer models. Unfortunately, those with iPhone 7 and older models cannot upgrade to iOS 16. Notably, iOS 16 is the first version exclusive to the iPhone series, as the iPod Touch no longer receives updates.
Concurrently, Apple also unveiled iPadOS 16, the next iteration of the iPad operating system, which supports iPad variants equipped with the A9/A9X chipset or newer.
In iOS 16, iPhone users can now customize their lock screen. Options for customization include changing the font color, date, time, and applying color effects across the lock screen. Additionally, users can add widgets to the lock screen.
The lock screen feature allows the subject of a photo to appear in front of the clock that creates a dynamic effect. While the lock screen on iPadOS 16 also matches iOS 16 in terms of date and time placement, it lacks the new customization features.
Another notable addition is Live Text, which can now recognize text in videos. Users can interact with detected text on the fly, such as converting currency rates or translating it.
Speaking of translation, iOS 16 now enables users to use the camera to translate text. The translation feature also now supports the Indonesian language.
iOS 16 introduces a new accessibility feature that allows users to detect a door in front of them using the camera. This feature also provides information on the distance from the user to the door.
For those who prefer not to type, iOS 16 has enhanced the dictation feature, making it easier and more practical to use. While dictating, the keyboard remains visible, allowing users to switch between dictation and typing effortlessly.
Gamers will appreciate iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 for their support of Nintendo Switch's Joy-Con controllers and Pro controllers. As for augmented reality capabilities, iOS 16 introduces a new framework called RoomPlan, which quickly creates a 3D plan of a room using a LiDAR scanner sensor.
For iPad users with Apple A12X Bionic, A12Z Bionic, M1, and M2 chipsets, iPadOS 16 brings a multitasking enhancement called Stage Manager. This feature allows the iPad to display up to four active windows simultaneously, either side-by-side or overlapping.
4. iOS 15

On June 7, 2021, Apple unveiled iOS 15 along with iPadOS 15. Released the same year as the iPhone 13 series, iOS 15 is also the last version supported by the 7th generation iPod Touch, which won’t receive updates after this release.
Devices with the A12 Bionic chipset or later can use the Live Text feature, which utilizes OCR technology to recognize text in images. However, this feature isn’t as advanced as in iOS 16, which can also detect text in videos.
Additionally, iOS 15 users can now drag and drop images and text between apps—a feature previously exclusive to iPadOS. The updated dictation feature now allows unlimited dictation time, removing the prior 60-second limit.
iOS 15 introduces a new feature called Focus, allowing users to create custom profiles such as work, sleep, or do not disturb. This feature adjusts the phone's settings based on the chosen profile. For instance, while in the work profile, notification sounds are quieter.
iPadOS 15 is compatible with the same iPad variants that supported iPadOS 14, including the first through fifth-generation iPad Pro, the second through fifth-generation iPad Air, and the fifth through ninth-generation regular iPad.
5. iOS 14

In 2020, Apple introduced iOS 14, which brought several new features. One noticeable change was the ability to redesign the home screen and add widgets, a feature that Android devices had adopted years earlier.
iOS 14 also introduced the App Library, which helps organize apps more efficiently. Additionally, the update included a picture-in-picture feature that allows users to watch videos while using other apps, a functionality previously available on iPadOS.
A highlight of iOS 14 is its support for watching YouTube videos in 4K quality, as long as the videos are available in 2160p resolution. Apple also made improvements to the call display by making it smaller and less intrusive.
Siri received significant updates as well; it became smarter with support for multiple language translations and enhanced search capabilities that allow users to search more thoroughly.
For those who prefer other browsers over Safari, iOS 14 made it possible to choose a default browser like Chrome. Another interesting addition is App Clips, which lets users try apps without having to download them first. To use this feature, users simply scan an App Clip code with NFC or a QR code.
The update also included a text-based emoji search feature and introduced new avatar options for memoji in the Messages app, which now allows users to mention other users directly.
The Maps app was enhanced to include lane information for cyclists. For AirPods users, there were new features such as spatial audio and automatic device switching, enhancing the audio experience and usability across multiple Apple devices.
6. iOS 13

In 2019, Apple released iOS 13 to introduce various exciting features. These include an improved Face ID, which is now 30% faster. Apps also open twice as fast, which is particularly beneficial for older devices.
One of the new features is dark mode, which can be applied to the interface, including the notification dock. iOS 13 also introduced a new swipe keyboard and an enhanced Reminders app with categories like "Today," "Scheduled," "Flagged," and "All" to help organize activities and tasks.
Other updates include a revamped look for Apple Mail and Notes. Safari now offers website-specific preferences.
Apple Maps received updates to more closely resemble Google Street View. Apple also boosted user privacy with the "Sign in with Apple" feature and the ability to generate a new email address for each app.
Updates similar to WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger were made to profiles in iMessage. New features were also added to edit photos and videos to make them more appealing.
Another significant addition is the Find My feature, combining Find My Friends and Find My iPhone into one application that allows for simultaneous searching.
Apple also introduced support for importing data from SD cards and USB flash drives directly into the Files app.

Starting with iOS 13, Apple launched a separate operating system for the iPad called iPadOS 13 for users who felt the iPad should have its own OS due to its larger screen.
7. iOS 12

After iOS 11, Apple introduced iOS 12 on June 4, 2018, at the WWDC 2018 event. This operating system was released alongside new Apple devices: the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max on September 17, 2018.
Like iOS 11, iOS 12 also supports some older devices, but features are limited for devices with Apple A7 and A8 processors, including some iPads.
So, what does iOS 12 offer? This version of iOS enhances the overall user experience. For instance, the camera app opens 70% faster than in previous versions. Moreover, apps open and load twice as fast compared to iOS 11.
iOS 12 introduced new Animoji, particularly for earlier Apple devices like the iPhone X, available for FaceTime and messaging apps.
There was also an update to notifications. iOS 12 groups notifications by app type or topic, making them tidier. Additionally, iOS 12 introduced a special shortcut button for Siri and a new sleep clock mode feature.
8. iOS 11

As is customary, Apple introduced the latest iOS at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This 2017 event happened on June 5, with iOS 11 being introduced and subsequently released to the public on September 19, 2017. The debut of iOS 11 coincided with the launch of three Apple smartphones: the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and the iPhone X.
The introduction of the iPhone X was particularly noteworthy as it marked the tenth anniversary of the iPhone series.
iOS 11 discontinued support for devices with 32-bit processors, such as the iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, and iPad 4, limiting compatibility to 64-bit processor devices. Even devices with Apple A7 and Apple A8 processors received only partial support.
Among the many updates in iOS 11, the revamped appearance of the App Store stands out. Additionally, the new "Files" app enhances data accessibility stored on the device or in the cloud.
A significant integration was seen with the Notification Centre and Lock Screen, allowing notifications to be displayed directly on the Lock Screen.
Siri received significant enhancements, gaining the ability to translate between languages and adapt to users' interests to offer relevant suggestions. Moreover, Siri can now manage music playback, even when the device is offline.
One improvement made in iOS 11 is the accelerated charging feature for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X introduced with the iOS 11.2 update. Other enhancements include seamless integration of the messaging app with iCloud and augmented reality (AR) support.
9. iOS 10

On September 13, 2016, Apple launched iOS 10 alongside the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The announcement had previously been made at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 13, 2016.
This successor to iOS 9 also supported earlier Apple devices, although not all received full support. Devices like the iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, and iPad 4 were only partially supported due to their use of 32-bit processors, whereas iOS 10’s features require a minimum of 64-bit based A5 or A5X processors.
What does iOS 10 offer? This version brought several enhancements and new features. It provided Siri and iMessage API support for developers that can enable more interactive applications.
iOS 10 also introduced 3D Touch functionality for notifications. Additional updates included new emoji integrations in messages, a redesigned Maps application with added functions, and improved user interaction.
10. iOS 9

In June 2015, Apple announced iOS 9, which was released on September 16, 2015, alongside the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and iPad Mini 4. This operating system also supports older iPhone models up to the iPhone 4S.
iOS 9, codenamed Monarch, features a design that is not drastically different from iOS 8. The focus of iOS 9 is on adding new features and applications. Among the enhancements, Siri now sports a more colorful interface, inspired by the Apple Watch, and can mimic English accents from various regions.
The security of Touch ID has been improved with the adoption of a 6-digit passcode that replaced the previous 4-digit system. Additionally, iOS 9 introduces the 3D Touch feature.
iOS 9 also includes the CarPlay app and offers new multitasking capabilities for iPads, such as slide-over and split-screen modes. The Notes app and Maps have been updated, the latter now offering transit directions.
A significant new addition is the News app, which replaces the longstanding Passbook app, now renamed Wallet. Furthermore, Apple has enhanced several apps to improve performance.
11. iOS 8

On June 2, 2014, Apple announced the arrival of iOS 8, which became available on September 17, 2014, with the launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Thus, these devices were preloaded with iOS 8.
This update was also available for previous generation iPhones, the sixth-generation iPod Touch, iPad 3, iPad Air 2, and iPad Mini. Regrettably, the iPhone 4 did not receive this update.
iOS 8 features a flatter design interface compared to iOS 7. It introduces several new features, including iCloud Drive and Family Sharing, which allows for sharing content among family members.
Additionally, iOS 8 enhances typing speed with the QuickType feature, allows voice-activated Siri, and offers more robust messaging capabilities.
One of the standout features of iOS 8 is the Health app, designed to monitor various health metrics such as heart rate, calories burned, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
12. iOS 7

On June 10, 2013, Apple announced the arrival of iOS 7, which was launched alongside the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. Unfortunately, the iPhone 3GS and older models no longer received updates from iOS.
The transition from iOS 6 to iOS 7 marked a significant design overhaul, although it did not introduce many new features. iOS 7 primarily focused on refreshing the visual aspects that can be seen from its flat design interface that utilized the Helvetica Neue Regular font system.
Beyond the design, a notable addition in iOS 7 was Touch ID, first introduced with the iPhone 5S. Enhancements and additional features were also seen in applications like AirDrop, Control Center, Safari, Siri, FaceTime, Apple Maps, App Store, and other apps.
The Home Screen also underwent a transformation, mirroring the flat design aesthetic introduced in this update.
13. iOS 6

A year after the release of iOS 5, on June 11, 2012, Apple introduced iOS 6. This version debuted with the iPhone 5, the fifth-generation iPod Touch, and the iPad 4. iOS 6 was also available as an update for earlier Apple devices, including the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, older iPod Touch models, iPad 3, and the first-generation iPad Mini.
iOS 6 did not introduce any completely new features but rather focused on improvements to existing applications. These enhancements included upgrades to the camera, FaceTime, and a redesigned appearance for some apps, as well as changes to the "settings" menu.
A major new element was Apple Maps, which replaced Google Maps as the default mapping application. However, Apple Maps was initially met with criticism due to its performance not being up to par with Google Maps.
14. iOS 5

On June 21, 2011, Apple introduced iOS 5 alongside the iPhone 4S. This version of iOS introduced several key features that would come to define Apple’s operating system. Here are some of the major features introduced in iOS 5:
- Notifications Center
This feature introduced a central location for notifications, which could be accessed even from the lock screen. This concept has been widely adopted and maintained, even influencing other operating systems like Android.
- iMessages
This exclusive messaging feature for iOS allows users to send texts, photos, GIFs, videos, contacts, and locations. It also supports group messaging, notifications for sent and read messages, and access across different Apple devices using the same Apple ID.
- iCloud
Introduced in iOS 5, iCloud offers cloud storage for contacts, photos, apps, notes, and more, allowing for easy data backup and synchronization across devices.
- Game Center
Game Center is all about gaming features in iOS, like game recommendations, public or private profiles, game purchases, and tracking points earned from games.
In addition to these core features, iOS 5 also brought enhancements to the camera, integration with Twitter, added functionalities in the Music app, and the ability to activate iPhones without the need for a laptop or computer. Moreover, iOS 5 marked the debut of Siri, Apple's intelligent assistant, which has since become integral to the iOS experience.
15. iOS 4

Apple made significant changes to its operating system in 2010. With the release of version 4, the company officially renamed iPhone OS to just iOS, and thus version 4 is referred to simply as iOS 4. This version debuted alongside the iPhone 4.
The introduction of the iPhone 4 and iOS 4 significantly boosted Apple's popularity. This version introduced several innovative features, including more efficient multitasking that conserves battery life, the ability to toggle cellular data on and off, creatively designed playlists in iTunes, and enhanced photo capabilities.
Additional features in iOS 4 included FaceTime, which now supported video calls over WiFi. There were also improvements in iBooks synchronization with iTunes, camera enhancements like landscape mode and 5x digital zoom, and an autofocus feature that could be activated by tapping during video recording.
16. iOS 3

In 2009, Apple launched the iPhone 3GS, introducing an updated operating system named iPhone OS 3.0. This version brought significant enhancements, making the device highly functional for its time.
Some of the standout features introduced in iPhone OS 3.0 included push notifications, landscape keyboard orientation, voice notes, IMAP support for email, shake to shuffle, MMS, and a compass. Particularly notable were the introduction of in-app purchases (IAP) and the copy and paste functionality, which was a first for the platform.
The iOS 3.0 operating system was compatible with previous iPhone models, including the original first-generation iPhone, although some features were limited.
Subsequent updates included version 3.1, which introduced Anti-Phishing features and various improvements, and version 3.2, which supported the first-generation iPad.
17. iOS 2

iOS 2 was released in 2008 alongside the iPhone 3G. This version helped propel Apple to greater prominence through its iPhone series. Notably, iOS 2 introduced the App Store, allowing iPhone 3G users to download apps directly, significantly expanding their application options.
iOS 2 also supported the second-generation iPod Touch, introduced important security enhancements, and fixed various bugs. The final version of iOS 2, version 2.2, brought updates to the Mail app and introduced the Google Street View feature in the Maps application.
18. iOS 1

In 2007, Apple launched its first smartphone, the iPhone, later known as the iPhone 2G. It came equipped with iPhone OS 1, an operating system built on the same codebase as OS X, used in Apple's computer products.
The first version did not feature an app store. Instead, it offered a variety of built-in applications developed by Apple, including a browser, calculator, and music player.
Initially, this operating system did not have an official name and was simply referred to as iPhone OS 1. The first update, iPhone OS 1.1, brought support for the iPod Touch (1st generation). The final version, iOS 1.1.5, is commonly referred to simply as iPhone OS 1.
In reviewing the evolution of iOS from its latest to its earliest versions, it's clear that each update introduced compelling features, some of which were influenced by or later adopted by Android. This exchange of features between iOS and Android is quite common, as each platform often adopts successful elements from the other.