Apple has officially launched iOS 18, introducing a host of new features and improvements, but not all iPhones will be eligible for the update. This latest version of Apple’s operating system focuses on enhancing user experience with smarter interactions, more customization, and upgraded privacy tools. While newer devices are set to benefit the most, Apple has ensured that many existing models will still enjoy a smooth performance boost. In this article, we'll break down which iPhones are compatible with iOS 18 and what features will transform your Apple iPhone experience.
With the release of iOS 18, Apple has once again shifted its focus toward newer devices. Some older models will not receive the update, as they have reached the end of their lifecycle with iOS 17. Notably, models like the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus are no longer supported. Here’s the full list of iPhones that are eligible for iOS 18:
iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
If your Apple iPhone is on this list, you'll be able to upgrade to iOS 18 and enjoy its newest features.
Apple Intelligence
One of the headline features of iOS 18 is the introduction of Apple Intelligence, a suite of generative AI tools aimed at making your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Siri has received an upgrade, allowing for more advanced voice interactions, such as generating text and images on the fly. However, these AI-driven tools will only be available for the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models equipped with the A17 Pro chip. This is because these features require significant processing power, which older devices simply cannot support.
Advanced Customisation
With iOS 18, Apple has introduced even more ways to customize your Apple iPhone. Users can now rearrange widgets with greater flexibility, choose larger icons, and apply tints to icons for a more personalized Home Screen. The Control Centre has also been revamped, offering more options for personalization, allowing users to tailor their device settings more efficiently.
Even though older models, such as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11, won’t get access to all the AI features, they will still benefit from these customization options.
Enhanced Privacy Tools
Apple still holds privacy as the key priority and in iOS 18, developments have been made to further secure data on all the devices which are still in use. Keeping the spotlight on new privacy additions the device lock and hide apps features the device is always locked anyway so the health data remains safe. Furthermore, user data controls which have been boosted let the users manage the alerts as well as data sharing in the apps giving them the power to choose what data they want to be kept private and which data they can share with other websites and apps.
These features are available on all iOS 18 compatible devices, from the iPhone SE (3rd generation) to the iPhone 15 Pro.
Improved Messaging Experience
The Messages app in iOS 18 has some new added features introduced as follows. It is now possible to schedule a text, which may help in better planning of communication. More options have been added to Tapback and users can now reply to messages using any emoji. In iPhone 14 and later models, satellite messaging has also been enhanced wishing communication even in the most isolated areas.
Apple is also warming up to the change in the messaging app from SMS/MMS to Rich Communication Services (RCS). This will make the communication between iPhone and Android devices more fruitful through better support for high-resolution media, read receipts, and better security-enhancing features.
Performance Boosts for Older Models
iPhone 15 Pro on the other side will benefit from all features in iOS 18 while iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 series are not left out completely. These models will benefit from increased battery efficiency of applications, better management of applications, and enhanced system performance. Users will not be able to take advantage of some fancy AI features that Apple has integrated into its offerings, but the update will enrich the overall experience and is reason enough to update.
If you are in any doubt as to whether your Apple iPhone is compatible with iOS 18, the steps are as follows. Then select Settings > General > Software Update and if your iPhone is compatible, then there will be an option to update your OS. When it comes to updating, Apple has made it very convenient for users to make the transition to iOS 18 for eligible devices.
iOS 18 has many great features and tools that enhance and improve upon the Apple iPhone making this portable phone a powerful tool. From Apple Intelligence, which was introduced in the previous iterations as IQ 17, to better privacy settings, iOS 18 brings loads of enlargements that help during daily usage, increase security measures, and add more options for further personalization. Although the iPhone X will not be compatible with the update, all iPhones will not be devoid of such changes mostly the more advanced iPhones such as the iPhone 15 Pro.
If you own a compatible Apple iPhone, updating to iOS 18 is highly recommended to take full advantage of its new features and performance enhancements. Whether you're looking for smarter AI interactions, more customization, or better privacy tools, iOS 18 has something for everyone.