iOS compatibility: Find out the latest version your iPhone can run

Macworld

Unsure which version of iOS your iPhone can run? Here’s a quick guide so you can find out if your iPhone is compatible with the most recent iterations of the iPhone operating system, and, if it isn’t, which version you can install on your iPhone.

Apple gives iOS a major update each year, usually introducing new features and some stability upgrades to the previous version, plus numerous smaller updates in between. The latest version of iOS 18, which arrives on September 16. The good news is that the compatibility list for iOS 18 is the same as iOS 17, so those with the iPhone XR, XS or 2nd gen SE will get to enjoy iOS 18. However, to use the new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18, you’ll need the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max, or the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max.

See our iOS 18 compatibility checker.

Although Apple is better than most at keeping older models on the list of supported devices, hardware limitations can sometimes mean that an iPhone gets left behind. This doesn’t mean the device will stop working, but you won’t be able to access the newer features and capabilities that come with the updated software and you may be vulnerable to security flaws. If your iPhone can’t run one of Apple’s supported versions of iOS then it’s probably time to upgrade your iPhone. To find out more read how long Apple supports the iPhone for.

If you want to see a brief history of iOS, then take a look at our guide to Every version of iOS released so far.

Latest iOS version supported by each iPhone

To show you which version of iOS your iPhone can run, we’ve broken down each iPhone generation so you know which version it originally shipped with (as that will be the earliest it can run) and the latest iteration it currently supports–including whether that iPhone will support iOS 18. We’ve not listed the smaller ‘point’ releases, as they change all the time, so take it as understood that any version of iOS that the iPhone is shown as supporting (such as iOS 16) also means any smaller point updates too (such as iOS 16.4.1).

It should be noted that Apple has stopped supporting a lot of the older versions of iOS now, meaning there are no new security patches for them. Alongside the latest iOS, Apple currently supports the last two generations of the iPhone operating system with security updates, which means that as of September 2024: iOS 16 is the oldest supported version of iOS.

This means that Apple will continue to support iPhones X, 8 and 8 Plus with iOS 16, but support for iOS 15 and the iPhones 7, 6S, 6S Plus and 1st gen SE will now end.

iOS 17 did not support iPhone 8 or the iPhone X which came out in 2017, but since those phones are able to run iOS 16, they will continue to get support through security updates for at least another year.








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iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max

Original iOS version: iOS 18

Does it run iOS 18: Yes

iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max

Original iOS version: iOS 17

Does it run iOS 18: Yes

iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max

Original iOS version: iOS 16

Does it run iOS 18: Yes

iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max

Original iOS version: iOS 15

Does it run iOS 18: Yes

iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Original iOS version: iOS 15

Does it run iOS 18: Yes

iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max

Original iOS version: iOS 14

Does it run iOS 18: Yes

iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max

Original iOS version: iOS 13

Does it run iOS 18: Yes

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Original iOS version: iOS 13

Does it run iOS 18: Yes

iPhone XR, XS, XS Max

Original iOS version: iOS 12

Does it run iOS 18: Yes

iPhone X

Original iOS version: iOS 11

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 16

iPhone 8, 8 Plus

Original iOS version: iOS 11

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 16

iPhone 7, 7 Plus

Original iOS version: iOS 10

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 15

iPhone 6S, 6S Plus

Original iOS version: iOS 9

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 15

iPhone SE (1st generation)

Original iOS version: iOS 9

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 15

iPhone 6, 6 Plus

Original iOS version: iOS 8

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 12

iPhone 5S

Original iOS version: iOS 7

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 12

iPhone 5C

Original iOS version: iOS 7

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 10

iPhone 5

Original iOS version: iOS 6

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 10

iPhone 4s

Original iOS version: iOS 5

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 9

iPhone 4

Original iOS version: iOS 4

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 7

iPhone 3GS

Original iOS version: iOS 3

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 6

iPhone 3G

Original iOS version: iOS 2

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 4

iPhone

Original iOS version: iOS 1

Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No

Last compatible version: iOS 3

If your iPhone isn’t supported by iOS 18, 17, or 16 then you might want to consider upgrading to a newer device. Take a look at our best iPhone deals round-up where we share the most recent money-saving deals. Read our best iPhone guide for advice.

How to tell which version of iOS you’re running

If you’re not sure which version of iOS you’re currently running, it’s very easy to find out.

Open Settings.

Tap on General.

Tap About and look for the iOS Version number.




The number you’re looking for will be something like 16.0 or 15.3.1. Don’t worry about the bit in parentheses.



The number you’re looking for will be something like 16.0 or 15.3.1. Don’t worry about the bit in parentheses.Foundry

The number you’re looking for will be something like 16.0 or 15.3.1. Don’t worry about the bit in parentheses.Foundry


Foundry

How to upgrade iOS

Now that you know the latest version of iOS that your iPhone supports, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re running on that platform. We have a guide on how to update iOS on your iPhone, so take a look at that and follow the simple instructions to get your iPhone up to date.