Image: Apple
iOS is Apple’s proprietary mobile operating system. Running exclusively on iPhones, it is the software that powers your entire device.
Apple constantly updates iOS to introduce new features, remove bugs, and improve your data security. Updating your iOS to the latest version will keep your device safe and provide the best experience with Apple's products.
iOS 18.3.1 is the most current version available for iPhones. It's a minor security update and bug fix for iPhones.
The initial iOS 18.3 update provided updates to Visual Intelligence and notification summaries improvements. It also made a controversial change by enabling Apple Intelligence on all eligible devices. Users who don't want Apple Intelligence on their device must opt out in the iPhone's Settings app.
We've got all the details surrounding the release of iOS 18.3.1. Read on to learn how to update Apple’s most recent version of iOS, find out which iPhones are compatible with version 18, and discover more about the latest features.
What is iOS?
Originally developed in 2007, iOS is Apple’s mobile phone operating system. Engineered to run exclusively on Apple hardware, iOS is the software that runs your iPhone. In 2019, Apple rebranded its iPad software as iPadOS, though the two systems are closely linked. Similarly, the Apple Watch runs watchOS, while the Apple TV runs tvOS.
Note that iOS is not the same as Android, which is Google's open-source smartphone operating system. Android runs devices like the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy.
What is the latest version of iOS?
Currently, iOS 18.3.1 is Apple’s latest version of the operating system. It's a smaller update that offers security patches and fixes software issues. The initial iOS 18.3 update included changes for Visual Intelligence and quality-of-life improvements for notification summaries. Visual Intelligence can now access your Calendar app to add dates from posters or fliers. Notification summaries have been disabled for News & Entertainment apps and all summaries are now italicized to help distinguish them from normal notifications.
The other major update from iOS 18.3 was that Apple Intelligence is now on by default. In the past, users wanting Apple Intelligence needed to enable the feature in their Settings. Now, all users are automatically enrolled in Apple Intelligence, meaning people who don't want it must opt-out.
iOS 18.4 is on track to be released in April. It's expected to include updates for Siri and Apple Intelligence.
What devices run iOS 18?
Here are all of the current Apple iPhones that will run on iOS 18:
iOS 18-compatible iPhones
| iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max |
| iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max |
| iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max |
| iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max |
| iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max |
| iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max |
| iPhone XR, XS, XS Max |
| iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd gen |
Apple did not exclude any iOS 17 devices with its upcoming operating system. Any iPhone that runs iOS 17 can upgrade to iOS 18. The final version of iOS 17 found on most devices was iOS 17.6.1.
You should not try to keep your device running iOS 17 after the release of iOS 18. Old versions of iOS are more susceptible to security threats.
The history of iOS
The launch of iOS coincided with the release of the first-generation iPhone in 2007. Apple releases a new version of iOS annually, with iterative updates throughout the year. Progressive software overhauls deliver bug fixes, improvements to existing functions, and brand-new features. In 2008, the iOS App Store launched, allowing access to a few hundred apps. Since then, the roster of iOS apps has risen beyond 2 million.
What's new in iOS 18?
With each annual iOS update, Apple introduces important security updates, bug fixes, and new features. Additionally, sub-versions bring welcome changes. Here are the biggest updates out of iOS 18.
Home Screen customization
Image: Apple
iOS 18 offers one of the largest upgrades ever to your iPhone's Home Screen. You can now place apps and widgets anywhere on your screen. There are also ways to change the color and tint of apps to match your iPhone's wallpaper. Apple also introduced new privacy features that allow you to lock even more apps with Face ID..
iMessage updates
iMessage received a massive update with iOS 18. Within your chat bubbles, there are new text formatting options including bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough, plus new text effects animations for individual words. Apple also introduced scheduled iMessages. This allows you to set a message to send at a specific time in the future.
There are also some new features for the technology that iMessage uses to send your messages. Apple is introducing Messages via satellite and support for RCS (Rich Communication Services) with Android devices.
Photos app redesign
Image: Apple
Photos is one of the most important apps on your iPhone and it received a complete makeover in iOS 18. The app will now intelligently organize your photos by topics and introduces a new Carousel feature for viewing your favorite pics.
Emergency SOS Live Video
Image: Apple
Apple introduced a new capability to its slate of Emergency SOS features. Emergency SOS Live Video uses your phone's camera to share live video with emergency responders. This can help them find your location and communicate instructions before they arrive on the scene.
Control Center revamp
Apple introduced new screens for your Control Center that allow for control galley customization and easier access to your smart-home features. You can swipe down for these additional screens and swap out the controls found on your Lock Screen.
Mail organization and priority messages
The Mail app is also getting reorganized with the introduction of new categories. Emails can now be labeled as primary, transactions, social, and promotions.
Maps updates
The Maps app is getting topographic maps for hiking. You can save maps offline on your iPhone and even create custom hikes.
Tap to Cash in Apple Wallet
Apple Cash has been part of the Wallet ecosystem for quite a while, but there's never been a way to pay someone without having their phone number or email. Tap to Cash uses Apple's Airdrop system to securely and privately pay someone by simply bringing your phones together.
Journal app updates
A small update to the Journal app introduces the ability to track mental health goals and search your past journal entries.
iPhone Game Mode
iPhone Game Mode brings a Mac feature to your smartphone. Game Mode is designed to minimize background activity so your iPhone can commit more resources to gameplay. Apple claims it increases your frame rates and provides a better overall gaming experience.
iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence
Each successive update of iOS 18 has slowly released new Apple Intelligence features. iOS 18.3 is the newest version and includes improvements in Visual Intelligence, revamps notification summaries, and enables Apple Intelligence on all eligible iPhones.
Here's the full list of iOS 18 updates and the new Apple Intelligence features:
iOS 18 Apple Intelligence updates
| iOS version | Release date | Apple Intelligence features |
|---|---|---|
| iOS 18.1 | October 28, 2024 | Writing tools Personalized Siri features |
| iOS 18.2 | December 11, 2024 | Genmoji Image Playground ChatGPT support |
| iOS 18.3 | January 27, 2025 | Apple Intelligence enabled by default Visual Intelligence updates Italicized notification summaries |
Apple Intelligence is Apple's entry into smartphone artificial intelligence. It's only available to iPhone 15 Pro models and the iPhone 16 series. Our Apple Intelligence guide can give you a full overview of this new AI system.
There are new language tools to help you write, summarize content, and prioritize notifications. There are also generative AI image features that allow you to create custom emojis and images for iMessage. Siri will also be personalized and fit your needs, so you can give it specific instructions using the information in your phone and ask specialized questions.
How to update to iOS 18.3
If it’s been a while or you’ve never performed a software update, you’ll want to do so immediately. While app improvements and emojis are nice, iOS updates also frequently include critical safety updates that improve the security of your device.
Here’s how to update to the latest version of iOS:
- Head to Settings > General > Software Update
- Choose Download and Install to obtain the most recent software release for your iOS device.
Since upgrades are typically large, we suggest downloading over Wi-Fi.
You can also enable automatic iOS updates by:
- Navigating to Settings > General > Software Update
- Tapping Automatic Updates
- Toggling on Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates.
However, if it’s been a while and your Apple iPhone still hasn’t updated, go ahead and perform a manual update. As Apple’s Craig Federighi reveals, iOS auto-updates often arrive several weeks after release.
Best iPhones for iOS 18.3
Whether you’re an existing iPhone user looking for an upgrade or switching from Android, a new iPhone is a compelling purchase. Our favorite iOS devices include the newest iPhone 16 series and last year's iPhone 15 series. Remember that the iPhone 15 Pro models and iPhone 16 series are the only models that will get access to Apple Intelligence.
Older models such as the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and iPhone SE 3rd gen (2022) are also excellent options for iOS 18, especially if you can find a good deal. While these devices don't include the newest bells and whistles, they do have 5G connectivity and will let you hook up to Apple's ecosystem at a cheaper price point.
iPhone 16e 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16e 256GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 256GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 Plus 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Max McCaskill
Max started his career as a newspaper reporter covering public policy. Today, he uses his skills to help readers navigate the complicated world of wireless technology. When he’s not writing, you’ll probably find him sharpening his photography skills, fly fishing, or complaining about SEC football.
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