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iOS 18 facts for kids

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iOS 18
Version of the iOS operating system
IOS 18 Logo.png
IPHONEXRIOS18.png
iOS 18 Home Screen on an iPhone XR
Developer Apple Inc.
OS family iOS
Source model Closed with open-source components
Repository
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Marketing target iPhones
Update method Software Update
Preceded by iOS 17
Tagline Yours. Truly.
Support status
In developer beta
Articles in the series
iPadOS 18 (derivative for iPad)

iOS 18 is the newest major update for Apple's iOS operating system. This is the eighteenth big version for iPhones. Apple showed it off at their 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). It comes after iOS 17 and was announced with other new software. These include watchOS 11, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. Just like past updates since iOS 4, users can get iOS 18 for free.

What's New in iOS 18?

Smart Features with Apple Intelligence

iOS 18 brings new smart features called Apple Intelligence. These features use artificial intelligence (AI) to make your iPhone even smarter. They work with Siri and other parts of the operating system. For now, Apple Intelligence is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Better Messages

The Messages app in iOS 18 will support Rich Communication Services (RCS). This means you can send higher quality photos and videos. You will also see when someone has read your message. RCS messages will have green bubbles, just like regular SMS messages. This helps tell them apart from blue iMessage conversations.

Redesigned Photos App

The Photos app in iOS 18 has a new look. It's been redesigned to make it easier to find and enjoy your pictures.

Customize Your Home Screen

With iOS 18, you can change how your Home Screen looks. You can now pick different colors for your app icons. You can also place icons anywhere you want on the screen. In older iOS versions, icons had to snap into a strict grid. Now, you can leave gaps between them.

Which iPhones Support iOS 18?

All iPhones that could run iOS 17 can also run iOS 18. However, some features might work differently depending on your iPhone's chip. The chip is like the brain of your phone, called a system-on-chip (SoC).

iPhones with an A12 Bionic chip or an A13 Bionic chip have limited support for iOS 18. These include the iPhone XS, XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and second-generation SE.

iPhones with an A14 Bionic chip or newer get full support for iOS 18. This includes the iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max.

Remember, the new Apple Intelligence features need a very powerful chip. They only work on iPhones with an A17 Pro chip or newer. Currently, these are only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Here is a list of iPhones that support iOS 18:

See also