iOS Version History and Compatible Devices [2024]

Wendy Wu
Last updated: Dec 12, 2024

Do you know which iOS version is compatible with your iPhone? This article details the iOS version history list, compatible models, and models that cannot be updated to the latest iOS version (iOS 18.2). Read on for more useful information.

ios version history

What Is the Latest iOS Version?

The latest iOS version currently available to the public is iOS 18.2, which was released on December 11, 2024.

Note
If you want to try out iOS 18.2, check how to download and install iOS 18.2.

iPhone iOS Version History and Compatible Models

Every year iOS would come with a major version update, making the supported devices vary accordingly. Below is a list of major versions of iOS and the corresponding supported devices.

iPhone Models Compatible with iOS 18 - iOS 18.2

iBelow are the iPhone models that can run iOS 18 and later:

  • iPhone 16
  • iPhone 16 Plus
  • iPhone 16 Pro
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • iPhone 15
  • 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 or later)
iOS 18 Compatibility

iPhone Models Compatible with iOS 17 - iOS 17.7.3

  • iPhone 15/15 Plus・iPhone 15 Pro/15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14/14 Plus・iPhone 14 Pro/14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13/13 mini・iPhone 13 Pro/13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12/12 mini・iPhone 12 Pro/12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11/11 Pro・iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XR/XS/XS Max
  • iPhone SE(2nd generation)/iPhone SE(3rd generation)
Devices that iOS 17 is compatible with

iPhone Models Compatible with iOS 16 - 16.7.7

iOS 16 was released on September 12, 2022. Older iPhone and iPod touch models with Apple A9/A10 chips were no longer supported after iOS 16 was released.

  • iPhone 14 Series
  • iPhone 13 Series
  • iPhone 12 Series
  • iPhone 11 Series
  • iPhone X Series
  • iPhone 8/8 Plus
  • iPhone SE(2nd generation)
  • iPhone SE(3rd generation)

iPhone/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 15 - iOS 15.8.2

  • iPhone 13/13 mini・iPhone 13 Pro/13 Pro Max

  • iPhone 12/12 mini・iPhone 12 Pro/12 Pro Max

  • iPhone 11/11 Pro・iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • iPhone XR/XS/XS Max

  • iPhone 8/8 Plus

  • iPhone 7/7 Plus

  • iPhone 6s/6s Plus

  • iPhone SE(1st generation)

  • iPhone SE(2nd generation

  • iPhone SE(3rd generation)

  • iPod touch (7th generation), introduced on May 28, 2019.

On March 5, 2024, Apple released the official versions of [iOS 15.8.2] & [iPadOS 15.8.2] for devices that do not support iOS 16.

iPhone/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 14 - iOS 14.6

  • iPhone 12/12 mini・iPhone 12 Pro/12 Pro Max

  • iPhone 11/11 Pro・iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • iPhone XR/XS/XS Max

  • iPhone 8/8 Plus

  • iPhone 7/7 Plus

  • iPhone 6s/6s Plus

  • iPhone SE(1st generation)/iPhone SE(2nd generation)

  • iPod touch (7th generation)

iPhone/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 13 - iOS 13.7

The iPad series since iOS 13 has adopted iPadOS, an operating system designed specifically for the iPad, together with special features and improvements.

  • iPhone 11/11 Pro・iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone X/XR
  • iPhone XS/XS Max
  • iPhone 8/8 Plus
  • iPhone 7/7 Plus
  • iPhone 6s/6s Plus
  • iPhone SE(1st generation)
  • iPhone SE(2nd generation)
  • iPod touch (7th generation)

iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 12 - iOS 12.5.7

  • iPhone Series

  • iPhone 8/8 Plus

  • iPhone 7/7 Plus

  • iPhone 6/6 Plus

  • iPhone 6s/6s Plus

  • iPhone SE

  • iPhone 5s

  • iPad (5th generation)・iPad (6th generation)

  • iPad Air/Air 2/Air (3rd generation)

  • iPad mini (2nd generation)/mini 3/mini 4

  • 12.9" iPad Pro (1st generation) ・12.9" iPad Pro (2nd generation)

  • 9.7" iPad Pro

  • 10.5" iPad Pro

  • iPod touch(6th generation)
  • iPod touch(7th generation)
  • iPod touch (6th generation)
  • iPod touch (7th generation)

iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 11 - iOS 11.4.1

  • iPhone X

  • iPhone 8/8 Plus

  • iPhone 7/7 Plus

  • iPhone 6/6 Plus

  • iPhone 6s/6s Plus

  • iPhone SE

  • iPhone 5s

  • iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (2nd generation)

  • iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (1st generation)

  • iPad Pro (10.5-inch)

  • iPad Pro (9.7-inch)

  • iPad Air/Air 2

  • iPad (6th generation)・iPad (5th generation)

  • iPad mini 4/mini 3/mini 2

  • iPod touch (6th generation)

iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 10 - iOS 10.3.14

  • iPhone 7/7 Plus

  • iPhone 6/6 Plus

  • iPhone 6s/6s Plus

  • iPhone SE

  • iPhone 5s/5C/5

  • iPad Pro

  • iPad (5th generation)・iPad (4th generation)

  • iPad Air/ Air 2

  • iPad mini 4/mini 3/mini 2

  • iPod touch (6th generation)

iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 9 - iOS 9.3.6

  • iPhone 4S

  • iPhone 5s/5C/5

  • iPhone 6/6 Plus

  • iPhone 6s/6s Plus

  • iPhone SE (1st generation) ※from version 9.3

  • iPad 2

  • iPad (3rd generation)・iPad (4th generation)

  • iPad Air/ Air 2

  • iPad mini 4/mini 3/mini 2

  • 12.9" iPad Pro (1st generation) ※from version 9.1

  • 9.7" iPad Pro ※from version 9.3

  • iPod touch (5th generation)

  • iPod touch (6th generation)

iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 8 - iOS 8.4.1

  • iPhone 4S

  • iPhone 5s/5C/5

  • iPhone 6/6 Plus

  • iPad 2

  • iPad (3rd generation)

  • iPad (4th generation)

  • iPad Air (1st generation)

  • iPad Air 2

  • iPad mini (1st generation)

  • iPad mini (2nd generation)

  • iPad mini 3

  • iPod touch (5th generation)

  • iPod touch (6th generation)

iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 7 - iOS 7.1.2

  • iPhone 4S/4C

  • iPhone 5s/5C/5

  • iPad 2

  • iPad (3rd generation)

  • iPad (4th generation)

  • iPad Air (1st generation)

  • iPad mini (1st generation)

  • iPad mini (2nd generation)

  • iPod touch (5th generation)

iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 6 - iOS 6.1.6

  • iPhone 3GS

  • iPhone 4/4S

  • iPhone 5

  • iPad 2

  • iPad (3rd generation)

  • iPad (4th generation)

  • iPad mini (1st generation)

  • iPod touch (4th generation)

  • iPod touch (5th generation)

iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 5 - iOS 5.1.1

  • iPhone 3GS

  • iPhone 4

  • iPhone 4S

  • iPad (1st generation)

  • iPad 2

  • iPad (3rd generation)

  • iPod touch (3rd generation)

  • iPod touch (4th generation)

iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Models Compatible with iOS 4 - iOS 4.3.4

  • iPhone 3G

  • iPhone 3GS

  • iPhone 4

  • iPad (1st generation)

  • iPad 2

  • iPod touch (2nd generation)

  • iPod touch (3rd generation)

  • iPod touch (4th generation)

Which iPhones Will Not Support iOS 18?

In general, Apple releases a new major iOS update every September or October. In addition, it will discontinue support for iPhone models over six years old and will no longer provide updates to the latest iOS for these devices.

In June 2024, Apple released iOS 18, which no longer supports iPhone X and previous models.

Below are the iPhone models that can't run iOS 18:

  • iPhone 5s
  • iPhone 6
  • iPhone 6 Plus
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone SE 1st Gen
  • iPhone X
Tip
iOS 18 is only available for iPhones with an A12 Bionic chip or newer.

What Happens When Support for the Latest iOS Ends?

When the latest iOS support ends, the risk of security and functionality issues increases. Therefore, it is important to update to the latest iOS version whenever possible.

However, if your iPhone is unable to update to the latest iOS version, it is recommended to buy a new iPhone.

How to Find the Software Version on Your iPhone

Follow the steps below to check your iOS version:

Go to Settings>General>About This iPhone.

To update your iPhone:

Go to Settings>General>Software Update.

download-and-install-ios-18-software-update.png

What Happens if the iOS Version Is Oudated?

If you are running an old iOS version, you may experience the following problems:

Security Risk: Old iOS versions do not have the latest security measures applied, increasing the risk of unauthorized access or information leakage.

Application Compatibility Issues: Some apps may not be compatible with old iOS versions, making part of their functions unable to work.

Communication Issues: Old iOS versions may experience difficulty receiving a 4G signal or internet connection issues.

Lack of Latest Features: Newer apps and services may require the latest iOS features.

Lack of Security Updates: Old iOS versions may not provide updates for discovered vulnerabilities or security issues.

Unsupported New Features: Newer iOS versions may add new features, but old iOS versions may not have access to these new features.

For these reasons, it is important to update your iOS regularly and use the latest iOS version.

How to Update Your iOS Version

Update Your iPhone Manually

  1. Go to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Software Update.
  2. The latest iOS version that is currently available for update will be displayed. Tap "Update Now" or "Update Tonight".
Update to iOS 18.0.1

Update Your iPhone via Your Computer

If you are having trouble updating the iOS version on your iPhone, try updating it on your computer. In particular, if you want easy steps and quick updates, try the iOS version upgrade/downgrade tool - BuhoRepair.

  1. Free download, install, and launch BuhoRepair.
DownloadRuns on Windows & Mac
Security Verified & 100% Safe
  1. Click Upgrade/Downgrade iOS.
    BuhoRepair
  2. Select Upgrade Version>Click Upgrade Now.
    Click iOS update
  3. Select the iOS version your iPhone can upgrade to>download the firmware.
  4. Click Upgrade Now after the download process is finished.
  5. Please wait patiently for the iOS upgrade process.

Conclusion

The full list of iOS versions, iOS version compatible models, and incompatible models is above. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Wendy Wu is a tech enthusiast with a deep passion for all things iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Wendy is always on the lookout for Apple products and is committed to providing Apple users with some of the latest information and useful tips.