iOS 18 release date

  iOS 18 release date: new features and everything we know              

At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, the company officially announced iOS 18 would be the next major software update set to roll out to the best iPhones later this year. This is one of the biggest updates to the software in years, and it has cool new features like more home screen and control centre customizations, RCS support in Messages, scheduled messages and a slew of features powered by Apple Intelligence. Major upgrades are coming to core iPhone apps including Mail, Messages, Photos, Maps and Wallet, while entirely new AI tools are headed to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, exclusively, via Apple's new Apple Intelligence feature suite. But the question remains that when you can get iOS 18 to try it out yourself. Following are the complete details about when you can get iOS 18 on your compatible iPhone.

Developer beta release date

The first iOS 18 developer beta came out shortly after the WWDC 2024 keynote. The developer beta is typically used for developers to test and build applications. For years, the only way to get access to the developer beta was to sign up for the $99-per-year Apple Developer program. Thankfully, Apple changed course starting with the first iOS 17 beta last year, making the developer beta available to anyone who simply registered for a free Apple Developer account. This means you can also get the iOS 18 developer beta right now, as long as you have a free Apple Developer account.

However, though you can download the iOS 18 developer beta right now, you should remember that it’s still a beta and a very early one. This means you may encounter numerous bugs or issues with your apps, so it is also recommended to install the beta on a device which isn’t your primary one. Some important things to note if you do install the developer beta right now is that not all third-party apps may work and battery life is not yet optimized also. Plus, Apple will not service any devices which are running on beta software, even if the problem is hardware related. So if you need to take in your iPhone to the Apple Store for a repair, you’ll need to wipe it and revert back to the latest public release of iOS 17. Apple typically releases developer betas first before the public betas. And lastly, Apple tends to release new beta versions every couple of weeks.

Public beta release date

As of now, Apple has only released the developer beta for iOS 18. However, we should expect the first public beta to drop four to five weeks after the first developer beta. Historically, the first public beta has arrived sometime between late June and early July. Though Apple has not yet said anything about the iOS 18 public beta, we should expect a similar timeline. The public beta is available to anyone who signs up for the free Apple Beta Software program. While the developer beta is for developers to test and build applications, the public beta is for anyone who wants to test and provide feedback on the beta versions to Apple before the final release. Again, it’s similar to the developer beta in that you should really only install the public beta on a spare device. Even though it’s the public beta release, it’s still beta software, so you may encounter issues, incompatible apps and poor battery life. Again, Apple won’t service your device with a beta.

Release date

At WWDC 2024, Apple confirmed that iOS 18 will launch "later this year". Based on past form, that means the new update will almost certainly begin rolling out in mid-September 2024 (every major iOS release from iOS 6 onwards has started rolling out between September 13 and September 20). iOS 18's full release will likely coincide with the launch of the iPhone 16 line and the Apple Watch 10. Typically, Apple releases the new iOS version in-between the iPhone announcement and launch day. With the iPhone 16, we’re expecting to see the announcement in the first half of the month, perhaps September 9-17. If that’s the case, then iOS 18 should launch around September 16-23, a few days before the iPhone 16 hits store shelves. Though iOS 18 will be available for iPhone models as far back as the iPhone XS, the Apple Intelligence features will only be available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max due to hardware requirements. And before you install iOS 18, whether it’s a beta or the final release coming later this year, make sure you back up your iPhone first!

Compatibility

Apple has confirmed that any iPhone newer than the iPhone XS will be compatible with iOS 18 (in other words, any iPhone with the A12 Bionic chipset or newer). Incidentally, that’s also the same device requirements as iOS 17. It's worth noting, though, that Apple Intelligence features will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which both boast the A17 Pro chipset. The full list of iOS 18-compatible iPhones is as follows:-

iPhone 15 Plus

iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 14

iPhone 14 Plus

iPhone 14 Pro

iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 13

iPhone 13 mini

iPhone 13 Pro

iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 12

iPhone 12 mini

iPhone 12 Pro

iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 11

iPhone 11 Pro

iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone XS

iPhone XS Max

iPhone XR

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Confirmed features

Following are the detailed, the biggest and best iOS 18 features, as confirmed by Apple at WWDC 2024, along with some additional features which have surfaced in the first iOS 18 betas. 

Messages upgrades

iOS 18 introduces the ability to schedule messages. You'll be able to send messages via satellite in iOS 18. iOS 18 will let you react to messages using any emoji, and you'll be able to schedule messages to send at a convenient time in the future. Apple is also adding new text formatting to the Messages app, so you'll be able to underline, strikethrough and bold your messages, as well as add new text formatting like ripple effects. The Messages app will support the RCS standard in iOS 18, too. This should facilitate a richer messaging experience when you're communicating with someone who doesn't own an Apple device.  Apple is also expanding the satellite capabilities of compatible iPhones to let you send messages via satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi connections aren’t available. 

Mail categorization

iOS 18 will leverage the power of Apple's new-and-improved on-device processing to categorize emails into four folders: Primary, Transactions, Updates and Promotions. The Mail app will soon be able to provide easy-to-read digests, too, helping you to quickly scan for what’s important in the moment.

Redesigned Photos app

iOS 18 will bring the biggest redesign to the Photos app ever. Essentially, it's being unified into a single view, comprising a photo grid and a dates grid, to better help you find the photo you're looking for. You'll be able to filter photos by categories, too, like screenshots and groups. iOS 18 will grant users the ability to rearrange app icons and widgets. For the first time, you'll be able to position apps at the bottom or side of the screen, freeing up real estate for the wallpaper behind them. You'll also be able to trigger a new dark mode for app icons in iOS 18, as well as add colour tints.

Wallet upgrades

iOS 18 adds a new 'tap to cash' feature to the Wallet app. The Wallet app is being upgraded with a new 'tap to cash' feature in iOS 18, which should help make paying friends easier. Event tickets will also feature a more dynamic design.

ID-authenticated app locks

iOS 18 will introduce optional Face ID authentication for all iPhone apps, not just Notes and banking apps. You'll also be able to hide apps in a new Hidden Apps folder.

Math in any text field

iOS 18 lets you do math in any text field. You might not ever need to use a calculator with iOS 18, because if you enter a math problem in any text field, the operating system will solve it for you. 

Choose your Home hub

If you have multiple devices that could serve as a Home hub, then one iOS 18 feature you'll probably really appreciate is the ability to select which you want to use as your Home hub, so you can make sure the best, fastest option is selected.

An upgrade for Power Reserve

Although not announced by Apple, the first iOS 18 beta has revealed that the iPhone 15's Power Reserve feature (which lets you access cards and locate your iPhone when the battery is otherwise out of juice) also now displays the time, though oddly this only currently works on the iPhone 15 line.

Control Centre upgrades

Like the Home Screen, Control Centre is also being upgraded in iOS 18. You'll soon be able to separate the Control Centre into distinct function groups, like Media and Home, and you'll be able to resize Control Centre widgets, too. For the first time, iOS 18 will also allow you to edit which Control Centre widgets appear on the Lock Screen.