Wednesday, January 28, 2026

iOS Model Historical past: Full checklist from iPhone OS to iOS 26 (with key options & help)


iOS model historical past: Each iOS and the options it introduced

There are vital milestones scattered throughout the iOS timeline:

Apple

iPhone OS (2007): iOS made its debut in 2007 with the primary iPhone. Nevertheless, when Steve Jobs held the little gadget aloft revealing it to the world for the primary time, it wasn’t operating iOS 1. As a substitute, it was reported by Apple to be powered by OS X, the software program for the Mac. Over time it was known as iPhone OS, till lastly gaining its now legendary identify within the fourth technology of the software program when it was shortened to iOS in 2010.

iPhone OS 2 (2008): The second main launch of the iPhone software program was groundbreaking as a result of it introduced third social gathering apps and launched the App Retailer.

iPhone OS 3 (2009): This replace was designed to make it simpler to seek out issues, whereas on the identical time including the flexibility to have as much as 11 pages to the House Display. Messages may help MMS, Video recording grew to become potential and it was potential to avoid wasting voice notes with the Voice Memos app.

iOS 4 (2010): Apple modified the identify to iOS and added the flexibility to place apps in folders for a greater organised House display with iOS 4. The FaceTime, iBooks and Sport Centre apps additionally arrived. The iPad additionally joined the scene, sharing the identical working system because the iPhone.

iOS 5 (2011): iOS 5 was launched together with the iPhone 4S in 2011, which noticed the debut of Siri as a built-in a part of the working system. The Notification Centre was launched and iCloud arrived bringing syncronisation between units. This was the primary time iOS could possibly be put in straight on the iPhone with out requiring a pc.

iOS 6 (2012): That is the place Apple Maps got here onto the scene. Podcasts and Passbook (now Pockets) apps additionally arrived. iCloud Picture Stream made it simpler to share photographs with household and buddies. iOS 6 was the final with a skeuomorphic design.

iOS 7 (2013): With iOS 7 iPhone customers received a redesigned consumer interface, which seemed much more fashionable with flatter icons. iOS 7 launched AirDrop and CarPlay.

Apple

iOS 8 (2014): One of many options of iOS 8 was Continuity, which linked the iPhone, iPad and Mac collectively, so you could possibly “handoff” duties from one gadget to a different. Household Sharing additionally arrived making it simpler to handle a toddler’s iPhone.

iOS 9 (2015): iOS 9 improved the Notes app, added Apple Information, and featured a brand new Evening Shift mode that eliminated a number of the blue gentle that may disturb circadian rhythms and cease somebody sleeping.

iOS 10 (2016): There have been updates to Messages and modifications to the Images app in iOS 10. A brand new House app introduced HomeKit management. Maps received a redesign. Common Clipboard meant that customers may copy one thing on a Mac and paste it on an iPhone, for instance.

iOS 11 (2017): Issues modified considerably in iOS 11 in 2017 because it introduced the primary contact and gesture interface, permitting the primary iPhone and not using a House button – the iPhone X. There was a brand new Recordsdata app making it simpler to entry content material synced or saved in iCloud and the Management Centre received a redesign.

iOS 12 (2018): Display Time, Memoji, Group FaceTime and Siri Shortcuts had been new in iOS 12.

iOS 13 (2019): One other main shift got here with iOS 13 in 2019, as Apple’s cell working system for the iPad break up with the iPhone, with iPadOS powering new iPads. Updates to iOS included Darkish Mode, new privateness options and the flexibility to Check in with Apple and conceal your e-mail tackle. The Images and Apple Maps apps received a redesign and a swipe-to-type keyboard was added.

iOS 14 (2020): Probably the most notable additions was Again Faucet, a characteristic that successfully turned the again of the iPhone into an additional button. Beginning with iOS 14.2, music recognition was constructed straight into the working system by way of a Shazam button.

Foundry

iOS 15 (2021): Focus Mode arrived in iOS 15 to assist customers handle the onslaught of notifications, Stay Textual content and Visible Search for made it potential to work together with textual content inside photographs (Stay Textual content) and use the digicam to determine objects like crops and animals. The Safari browser acquired a significant interface replace as did Maps and the Climate app.

iOS 16 (2022): Probably the most seen modifications in iOS 16 was the entire overhaul of the Lock display, which allowed customers so as to add widgets for the primary time to view information at a look with out unlocking their units. Apple added Speedy Safety Responses in order that it may ship necessary safety patches exterior of an iOS replace.

iOS 17 (2023): NameDrop in iOS 17 made it potential to share info by bringing two iPhones collectively. Stolen System Safety added a layer of safety by requiring biometric authentication (Face ID or Contact ID) earlier than an Apple ID password could possibly be modified. Stay Voicemail meant that iPhone customers may get a stay transaction of a message.

iOS 18 (2024): The iOS 18 replace laid the groundwork for Apple’s subsequent AI initiatives. There was additionally an entire redesign of the Images app, a devoted Passwords app, Management Heart Customization and Stay Actions (so you could possibly see when your dinner supply is arriving).

iOS 26 (2025): Slightly than progress to iOS 19, Apple has aligned the numbering of all its working programs in line with the yr with iOS 26. It wasn’t only a identify change although, there was a major visible and practical overhaul with a Liquid Glass design language. Huge modifications additionally got here to the Telephone app with Name Screening and Maintain Help. Stay Transaltions make it simple to speak with overseas buddies and colleagues. The Digital camera app had a simplifying redesign and a Video games app changed Sport Centre.

Foundry

Right here’s how the newest two iOS variations evaluate: iOS 26 vs iOS 18.

Related Articles

Latest Articles