This month is the release date of iOS 18, but is it compatible with your iPhone? These are the new features and compatible devices.

The anticipated announcement of the iPhone 16 lineup is set to take place at the upcoming Apple event in less than a week (here’s how to watch it). This new lineup will feature iOS 18, which Apple previously outlined during its developer conference earlier this year. However, if you do not intend to upgrade to a newer iPhone model this year, you may find yourself using an operating system that is no longer supported by Apple.

Each year, Apple typically removes certain older iPhone models from its list of devices eligible for iOS updates. For example, last year, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X were excluded from the compatibility list. As a result, owners of these models were unable to upgrade to iOS 17 and consequently missed several significant features.

We will assist you in determining whether your iPhone will support iOS 18, as well as provide insights into Apple Intelligence. If you are uncertain about the new update’s offerings, here is a summary of the key announcements from WWDC, including an overview of iOS 18.

iPhones that are compatible with iOS 18

There is positive news: If your device was eligible for the iOS 17 update last year, it should remain compatible with iOS 18, as confirmed by Apple. This means you will not need to purchase a new phone to access most of the new software features.

• iPhone SE (second generation or later)
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

In other words, if you possess an iPhone from the 2017 model year or earlier, such as the iPhone 8 or iPhone X, you will not be able to upgrade to the latest iOS version. However, your device should continue to function, albeit without the newest features.

Is your iPhone compatible with Apple Intelligence?

Although your older device may still support the latest iOS, likely, you will likely not have access to the Apple Intelligence beta unless you own an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, which are the premium models released in 2023. It is reasonable to assume that the upcoming iPhone 16 models will be fully compatible with Apple Intelligence, but we will need to wait for the official announcements during the event on September 9.

New features in iOS 18 to anticipate

While Apple Intelligence represents the most significant update associated with iOS 18, its features will be rolled out gradually over the following months. The more sophisticated functionalities will not be available on older iPhone models, except for the iPhone 15 Pro series. Nevertheless, the remaining features of iOS 18 will be accessible on the aforementioned devices. Below are some highlights you can look forward to when you download Apple’s new software later this month.

Passwords app: This new application allows you to securely store all your credentials in one centralized location, including passwords and security alerts that can be accessed directly within the app. (Although this functionality is currently available in Settings, relocating it to a dedicated app should enhance ease of access.)

Enhanced Messages app: The updated iMessage experience introduces options to bold, italicize, underline, and strikethrough your text. Additionally, you will be able to incorporate animations into your text messages. This update also brings RCS support to iPhones, improving compatibility with Android devices.

A well-structured photo library: The Photos application is undergoing a redesign that enables users to create and pin personalized collections within the app, such as “wedding photos” or “trip to Aruba.” The existing tabbed interface at the bottom has been eliminated in favor of a grid layout. Notably, the enhanced carousel view that was highlighted during WWDC has been removed in the beta phase.

Customized home screen arrangement: Users will finally have the ability to rearrange their applications. For example, one can leave the central area vacant to showcase a home screen image, while positioning the applications along the edges of the screen. Additionally, users can modify the appearance of the applications by applying a tint of any color and enlarging their size.

Numerous other adjustments and enhancements have been made to essential applications such as Maps, Calendar, Safari, and more. For insights into the best-hidden features of iOS 18 and its related Apple operating system updates, refer to Cherlynn Low’s selections based on the beta versions released earlier this year.

 

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