Apple has released iOS 18 for installation but is your iPhone compatible? Here are the relevant devices and new features

Apple on Monday released its new iOS 18 for all compatible iPhones to be installed – here’s how to download and install the new update. iOS 18 has already arrived installed on the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models (see our iPhone 16 Pro review), which will hit the shelves on September 20. But not all iPhones will be able to run iOS 18, even those that use iOS 18. won’t have all the bells and whistles of the new Apple Intelligence features.

That review split is nothing new. Typically every year, some older iPhone models are removed from Apple’s iOS compatibility list. Last year, for example, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X were left out of the compatibility list. That means those iPhone owners couldn’t update to iOS 17 and missed out on some notable features. On the other hand, some older hardware will get some big new features: Consider an upcoming software update that effectively turns AirPods Pro headphones into a hearing aid, complete with a built-in hearing test. (Apple recently received FDA approval to release that feature later this year.)

We will help you find out if your iPhone will support iOS 18, and Apple Intelligence. In addition, Apple also released a firmware update for AirPods Pro 2. If you want a full list of all the new iOS 18, check out Apple’s complete list in PDF form (via MacRumors). Are you still catching up on all the new things that Apple announced at its launch event on September 9? Check out our full AirPods 4 review, as well as hands-on previews of the Apple Watch Series 10, iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.

iPhones are compatible with iOS 18

We have good news: If you had a compatible phone last year when you upgraded to iOS 17, that device should still be compatible with iOS 18, according to Apple. That means you won’t have to buy a new phone to test out many of the new software’s features.

Put another way, if you have an iPhone from the 2017 model year or earlier (iPhone 8 or iPhone X), you can’t upgrade to the latest iOS, but your phone should still work — except for the latest and greatest features.

Is your iPhone compatible with Apple Intelligence?

While your older device will still be able to support the latest iOS, chances are you won’t be able to try the Apple Intelligence beta yet next month. Unless you have an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max – the top models of 2023 – or one of the new iPhone 16 models, your iPhone is not eligible.

When will Apple Intelligence features be available?

If your device is compatible with Apple Intelligence, you can start playing with some of those features in October, when they start hitting those new iPhones in the next updates.

The first round of Apple Intelligence features will be available in English in the US this October. In December, it will be available in local English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Additional language support, including Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish, will be available sometime next year, Apple said.

As previously reported, Apple Intelligence won’t be making its way to EU countries anytime soon. The American tech giant remains locked in a tussle with European regulators over the enforcement details of the EU’s Digital Markets Act.

Major new features of iOS 18

While Apple Intelligence is the biggest update coming with iOS 18, its features will be rolled out gradually over the next few months. And the most advanced features will not be available in older iPhone models except for the iPhone 15 Pro series. But some features of iOS 18 are available now. Here are some of the great things you can expect when you download Apple’s new software.

Passwords app: Securely store all your credentials in one place, including passwords and security alerts that you can access directly from the app. (Although this functionality is currently in Settings, moving it to the new app should make it easier to find and access.)

Improved messaging app: The new iMessages experience brings the option to highlight, italicize, underline and highlight your text. You will also be able to add animations to your text messages. The update also brings RCS to iPhones to better support Android compatibility.

Organized photo library: The Photos app is getting a redesign, allowing you to create and pin your own collections to the app — think “wedding photos” or “trip to Aruba.” Removes the sub with the current tab and depends on the grid structure. The updated carousel view that was touched on in WWDC was removed during the beta process.

Personal home screen layout: Finally you’ll get the option to rearrange your apps – for example, you can leave the middle space open to show your home screen image, and instead have your apps alone on the border of the screen. You can also change the appearance of apps by coloring them in any color, as well as making apps bigger.

There are many other fixes and improvements for keystone apps like Maps, Calendar, Safari and more. Check out Cherlynn Low’s picks for the best hidden iOS 18 features and updates to Apple’s operating system, based on betas released earlier this year.

Are macOS Sequoia, iPadOS 18, WatchOS 11 and tvOS 18 available now?

Here’s where you can download new software updates for your other Apple devices (most are available today).

• macOS Sequoia: September 16

• iPadOS 18: September 16

• WatchOS 11: September 16

• tvOS 18: Apple has not announced an official date for its latest tvOS software update. It’s still in public beta testing at the moment, though it’s nearing the final stages, per MacRumors.

• VisionOS 2: September 16

As for AirPods, Apple has reportedly pushed new firmware to AirPods Pro earbuds to prepare for additional features coming to that device with iOS 18. (Just be aware that the functionality of the aforementioned hearing aid may not be affected by the first wave of updates, though (latest. FDA approval.)

Update, September 16, 1:55PM ET: Availability of iOS 18 is confirmed.

Update, September 12, 3:28PM ET: More information about the FDA approval of the AirPods Pro hearing aid functionality.

Update, September 11, 12:13PM ET: Additional new information about the new firmware pushed to AirPods Pro earbuds.

Update, September 10, 9:54AM ET: Added release dates for additional Apple OS software updates.

Update, September 9, 5:00PM ET: More information about the lack of availability of Apple Intelligence in EU countries.

Update, September 9, 3:37PM ET: This story has been updated with the announced release dates for iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence.

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