Apple released its new iOS 18 for all compatible iPhones on Monday — here’s how to download and install the new update. iOS 18 will come already installed on the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models (see our iPhone 16 Pro review), which go on sale on September 20. But not every iPhone will be able to run iOS 18, and even those that can won’t have all the goodies of the new Apple Intelligence feature.
This stratification of updates is nothing new. Typically every year, some older iPhone models are left off Apple’s iOS eligibility list. For example, last year the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X were excluded from the compatibility list.
That meant those iPhone owners couldn’t update to iOS 17 and missed out on some notable features. On the flip side, some older hardware will get major new features: Consider the upcoming software update that turns existing AirPods Pro headphones into a hearing aid, including a built-in hearing test. (Apple has received FDA authorization to release that feature later this year.)
We’ll help you figure out if your iPhone will support Apple Intelligence alongside iOS 18. In addition, Apple has also released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2. If you want a full list of all the new iOS 18 features, check out Apple’s detailed list in PDF form (via MacRumors).
Are you still looking to learn about all the new things Apple announced at its September 9 launch event? Check out our hands-on preview of the Apple Watch Series 10, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro, as well as our full review of the AirPods 4.
iPhones compatible with iOS 18
We have good news: If you had an eligible phone when you updated to iOS 17 last year, that device should still be compatible with iOS 18, according to Apple. That means you won’t need to buy a new phone to see most of the new software features.
In other words, if you have an iPhone from the 2017 model year or earlier (iPhone 8 or iPhone X), you can’t upgrade to the latest iOS, but your phone will continue to work — albeit without the latest and greatest features.
Is your iPhone compatible with Apple Intelligence
While your older device will still be able to support the latest iOS, chances are you won’t get a chance to try out the Apple Intelligence beta until next month. Unless you have an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max — the top-end 2023 models — or one of the new iPhone 16 models, your iPhone isn’t eligible.
When will Apple Intelligence features be available
If your device is compatible with Apple Intelligence, you can start playing with some of those features in October, when they start arriving on those new iPhones in a later update.
The first round of Apple Intelligence features will be available in English in the US this October. In December, it will become available in localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Apple says additional language support, including Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish, will be available sometime next year.
As previously reported, Apple Intelligence won’t be coming to EU countries anytime soon. The US tech giant is embroiled in a battle with European regulators over enforcement details of the EU’s Digital Market Act.
iOS 18’s biggest new features
While Apple Intelligence is by far the biggest update coming with iOS 18, its features will be released in a more piecemeal fashion over the next few months. And the more advanced features won’t be available on older iPhone models other than the iPhone 15 Pro series. But the rest of iOS 18’s features are available now. Here are some of the highlights you can expect when you download Apple’s new software.
Passwords app: Store all your credentials securely in one place, including passwords and security alerts you can access directly in the app. (While this functionality currently resides in Settings, moving it to a new app will make it easier to find and access.)
Messages app improvements: A new iMessages experience is bringing the option to bold, italicize, underline, and strikethrough your text. You’ll also be able to add animations to your text messages. This update is also bringing RCS to iPhones to improve Android compatibility.
An organized photos library: The Photos app is getting a new design that allows you to create and pin your own collections in the app — think “wedding photos” or “trip to Aruba.” It removes the current tabbed bottom and leans into a grid layout. The updated carousel view that was touted at WWDC was dropped during the beta process.
Personalized home screen layouts: You’ll finally get the option to rearrange your apps — for example, you can leave the middle space open to display your home screen photos, and instead place your apps on the borders of the screen. You can change the appearance of apps by painting them any color, as well as make apps bigger.