Skip to main content

iOS

The world’s most advanced mobile operating system

See All Stories

iOS is Apple’s mobile operating system that runs on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Historically, Apple releases a new iOS version once a year, the current version is iOS 13.

In 2007, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone and iPhone OS. During the event, Jobs referred to the operating system as OS X because it shared a similar Unix core compared to the Mac. When Apple launched the iPhone SDK a year later, they officially changed the name to iPhone OS.

In the summer of 2008, Apple added the App Store to iPhone OS with version 2.0, and this set the stage for the “app economy” that we still enjoy to this day.

Version 3.0 was released in 2009, and it included copy/paste, MMS support, Spotlight, mobile tethering, and push notifications for 3rd party apps.

In version 4, Apple finally renamed iPhone OS to iOS (with the iPad sharing the same software). The major features were multitasking and FaceTime.

iOS 5.0 introduced Notification Center, iMessage, Siri, and iCloud.

iOS 6.0 removes Google Maps in favor of Apple Maps and added the Passbook app (now known as Wallet).

Version 7.0 brought a dramatic redesign of iOS with a new font, flatter icons, a and new Photos app. The redesign was led by Jony Ive.

Version iOS 8.0, Apple finally allowed third-party keyboards and the ability to share files from different apps.

Version 9.0 included Apple Maps, an overhauled Notes app, and multitasking for iPad.

Version 10.0 included an SDK for Siri, Maps, and iMessages.

Version 11.0 included a new iPad Dock, Customizable Control center, drag and drop on iPad, and the Files app with third-party integration.

Version 12.0 added Screen Time features for managing your time on devices, the Shortcuts app, ARKit 2.0, and Memoji.

iOS 13 added Dark Mode, swipe-style typing, a redesigned share sheet, made app downloads 50% smaller, 2x faster app launch speed, Memoji Stickers and Memoji Makeup, HomeKit-enabled routers and HomeKit Secure Video, a new “Sign in with Apple” option for logging into third-party services, all-new Apple Maps, and much more.

Compatible Devices with iOS 13

  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 6s Plus
  • iPhone SE
  • iPod touch (7th generation)

iPhone’s Photos app is more feature-rich than you think: A complete walkthrough [Video]

Apple’s Photos app has evolved significantly since its release with the original iPhone in 2007. It now offers a wealth of features that go beyond simple photo storage. I wanted to put together a detailed walkthrough that talks about both the basics and more advanced features that are lesser known. Be sure to check out our video below for a hands on look on every feature the photos app has to offer.

Expand Expanding Close

Best modern banking apps on iOS for 2024


In the digital age, banking apps have become our financial lifelines, offering ease and convenience for managing money like never before. Yet, with the constant influx of new Fintech apps, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Whether you’re opening your first bank account or managing several, our guide to the top three iOS banking apps aims to simplify your choice. Having personally navigated through all three, I’ve found that each serves its purpose. We’ll delve into each app’s features, pricing, and customer service, offering you a clear roadmap to selecting the app that best fits your financial landscape. Let’s uncover the tools that will redefine your banking experience.

Expand Expanding Close

iOS 17.4 alternative iPhone app stores will stop working if you travel outside the EU

Regain clarity with CleanMyPhone by MacPaw — the new AI-powered cleaning app that quickly identifies and removes blurred images, screenshots, and other clutter from your device. Download it now with a free trial.


iOS 17.4 in the European Union brings Apple’s first operating system release that complies with the regulatory framework of the Digital Markets Act. This includes support for alternative app stores — or as Apple calls them, ‘alternative app marketplaces’ — which allows iPhone users to download apps from outside the walls of the Apple App Store for the first time.

The availability of functionality is geo-restricted to the EU only, and Apple has detailed for the first time how it detects this. But perhaps more surprisingly, it also turns out that existing app marketplaces you have downloaded to your device will stop working if you leave the EU for too long.

Expand Expanding Close

Apple on EU iOS changes: Has done its best but DMA makes users less safe

App Store security

Apple is set to release iOS 17.4 to the public next week with a major update for EU users that allows third-party app stores and more. Now ahead of the Digital Markets Act going into effect, Apple has shared the most up-to-date and comprehensive resource about all the changes and its approach and “efforts to protect user security and privacy in the European Union.”

Expand Expanding Close

iOS 17.4: Apple continues work on AI-powered Siri and Messages features, with help from ChatGPT

Apple is widely expected to unveil major new artificial intelligence features with iOS 18 in June. Code found by 9to5Mac in the first beta of iOS 17.4 shows that Apple is continuing to work on a new version of Siri powered by large language model technology, with a little help from other sources.

In fact, Apple appears to be using OpenAI’s ChatGPT API for internal testing to help the development of its own AI models.

Expand Expanding Close

Apple shares more details about the new default web browser prompt in iOS 17.4

Mac malware fake Safari Chrome updates

Yesterday, Apple announced that iPhone users in the EU will be prompted to choose a default web browser when they open Safari for the first time after updating to iOS 17.4. The company has now shared more details on this process.

Apple tells me that the popup message in iOS 17.4 will show a list of the 12 most popular browsers from the App Store in that country. That list will be presented in random order for each user.

Expand Expanding Close

iPhone 15 Pro videographers must have this tiny SSD with a status screen and camera rig

The new USB-C port on the iPhone 15 has opened up a whole universe of different accessories that can now be used, like USB-C hubs, universal chargers, universal dongles but most importantly (to me), the ability to use SSDs with your iPhone. Even though you can use everything with any of the iPhone 15s, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the ones that have USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds, allowing for up to 10 Gbit transfer speeds. For us creatives, that unlocks a lot of functionality. Combining this new functionality with enhancements to SSDs, you now have a full studio in your pocket. I might have found that perfect SSD companion in the new Dockcase Pocket NVMe SSD – Photography Edition.

Expand Expanding Close

My favorite tips for keeping the Messages app on iPhone under control

I have a love/hate relationship with the Messages app on my iPhone. Sure, it’s a great app that’s gotten a lot of new features recently. On the other hand, it can quickly become overwhelming if you receive a lot of messages – and iOS doesn’t do a great job of helping you manage those messages by default.

Here are three tips I’ve found that help me keep the Messages app under control.

Expand Expanding Close

Hands-on: Kernel is an iPhone app designed to manage streaming service chaos

If you are anything like me, you might have upwards of five to ten different streaming services, which has made it a daunting task to find what content you finally want to watch. Not only that, but streaming services are constantly taking turns with the actual content that’s on each platform, just adding to the confusion. So when Kernel promised to be a solution to the overwhelming complexity of modern entertainment consumption, I had to give it a try. Here is my hands-on take!

Expand Expanding Close