iOS Overview Updated April 21, 2022

iOS

The world’s most advanced mobile operating system

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4,672 'iOS' stories

August 2010 - April 2022

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)

iOS Stories Yesterday

Data shows Android losing ground to iOS, but Google’s platform still dominates the market

Filipe Espósito

- Apr. 21st 2022 8:38 pm PT

iOS Android
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Android is unsurprisingly the most popular mobile operating system in the world, as it’s available on a huge variety of devices. However, data from StockApps shows that iOS has been taking Android’s market share in recent years – although Google’s platform still dominates the market.

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iOS Stories April 20

Apple’s Communication Safety feature for kids coming soon to the UK, following US launch

Michael Potuck

- Apr. 20th 2022 11:34 am PT

iOS iPhone Privacy
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Last December, Apple launched its Communication Safety in Messages feature for kids in the US with iOS 15.2 that helps protect them from viewing or sharing photos with nudity. Now the opt-in feature that can be set up by parents will be arriving soon in the UK.

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iOS Stories April 13

Here’s Google’s new ‘Switch to Android’ app for iPhones [Update: Rolling out]

from 9to5Google - Apr. 13th 2022 9:00 am PT

Google is preparing to launch a brand new way to move from Apple’s iPhones to an Android device. Here’s your first look at Google’s “Switch to Android” app running on an iPhone.

Update: Google has said that they are beginning to make Switch to Android publicly available.
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iOS Stories April 11

[Update: False alarm] YouTube for iOS rolling out picture-in-picture support in a ‘matter of days’

from 9to5Google - Apr. 11th 2022 6:19 am PT

This weekend, YouTube removed the long-running experiment that allowed iPhone and iPad users to keep watching videos in picture-in-picture mode. Now, YouTube has confirmed that its iOS app is in the process of rolling out picture-in-picture support to everyone on iOS 15 and up.

iOS Stories April 9

YouTube ends experiment for quickly enabling PiP on iOS, still works for existing users

from 9to5Google - Apr. 9th 2022 12:30 pm PT

YouTube started officially rolling out Picture-in-Picture to the iOS app last June and it’s been a very slow process. Premium subscribers were given a workaround, but YouTube’s PiP test for iPhone and iPad has now ended.

iOS Stories April 5

Google Maps rolling out toll pricing, more detailed navigation, and new iOS integrations 

from 9to5Google - Apr. 5th 2022 9:41 am PT

Google Maps is rolling out a trio of big updates over the coming weeks that add toll estimates and improve the navigation experience with a new map, while the iOS app is getting a series of additional integrations.
DroneDJ 

Ubisoft bringing Rainbow Six to iPhone and iPad after three years of development, player tests coming soon

Allison McDaniel - Apr. 5th 2022 8:25 am PT

The world of Rainbow Six is now coming to iPhone and iPad. Today, Ubisoft has announced that it is working on a new title, Rainbow Six Mobile. 

Rainbow Six is a popular first-person shooter on PC and console. Inspired by Rainbow Six Siege, gamers can play this “competitive, tactical, and immersive FPS experience” from anywhere.

iOS Stories March 30

YouTube TV finally rolling out picture-in-picture (PiP) to the iPhone and iPad

from 9to5Google - Mar. 30th 2022 1:33 pm PT

As promised in February, YouTube TV is rolling out picture-in-picture (PiP) to its iPhone and iPad app. It comes as the main YouTube for iOS client is still only previewing an identical capability.

Do manual iOS updates, or you may wait weeks, says Craig Federighi

Ben Lovejoy

- Mar. 30th 2022 5:28 am PT

iOS craig federighi
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If you want to ensure your iOS devices are updated as soon as new releases are available, you should do manual iOS updates. The indirect advice comes from no less a source than Apple SVP of software engineering, Craig Federighi.

If you instead rely on automatic updates, you could be waiting days or weeks …

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9to5Toys 

iOS Stories March 26

Five iPhone features that are now forgotten – by Apple and users both

José Adorno

- Mar. 26th 2022 11:17 am PT

iOS iPhone
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Apple is amazing at setting trends. This is why lots of other companies use similar names to Apple’s products and, sometimes, even copy the company’s designs. That said, it’s not every time that Apple makes it right or a feature it’s pushing survives. Here are five examples of iPhone features that Apple thought would be groundbreaking but ended up being discontinued or falling out of use.

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iOS Stories March 16

Official ‘Switch to Android’ iOS app may import your iCloud data to Google Photos

from 9to5Google - Mar. 16th 2022 10:01 am PT

Google’s upcoming “Switch to Android” app for iOS may be able to import data from your iCloud directly into Google Photos.

iOS Stories March 15

Apple, please, please, please make it easier to rearrange iPhone apps

Ben Lovejoy

- Mar. 15th 2022 8:01 am PT

iOS iPhone Feature Request
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They say that travel brings new perspectives, and that’s absolutely true for anyone visiting Argentina. But in my case, it’s also so far generated two feature requests for Apple.

Yesterday, I asked for universal OCR capability across all apps for instant translation …

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Space Explored 

iOS Stories March 8

Firefox for iPhone adopts Safari’s bottom search bar plus new wallpapers

Michael Potuck - Mar. 8th 2022 6:00 am PT

Mozilla is out with an update today for its Firefox iOS browser. Matching the flexibility of Apple’s Safari on iOS, the new Firefox mobile release brings the option to place the search bar at the bottom of the app. There are also some new wallpapers inspired by Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red.”

iOS Stories March 7

Here’s everything Apple could announce at its March 8 ‘Peek Performance’ special event

Allison McDaniel

- Mar. 7th 2022 3:05 pm PT

Apple Event iOS iPad Mac iPhone Apple event
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Apple has officially announced its newest event will be broadcast worldwide on March 8. With the event having been rumored for weeks, we’re excited to see what’s lined up.

Read on for a roundup of what Apple could announce at its spring event, including an iPhone SE 3, iPad Air 5, and more. The Cupertino company has a great deal planned for 2022, and 9to5Mac is here to cover it all for you.

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iOS Stories February 10

YouTube TV bringing picture-in-picture to its iOS app, wider surround sound support coming too

from 9to5Google - Feb. 10th 2022 6:28 am PT

Google’s YouTube TV service, despite its high price, is one of the best ways to keep live channels without traditional cable. Now, in an interview, a YouTube TV exec has confirmed that picture-in-picture support is coming to iOS and surround sound will see expanded support too.
9to5Google 

iOS Stories February 1

[Update: Now available] Google One VPN comes to iPhone and iPad with 2TB+ plans

from 9to5Google - Feb. 1st 2022 9:43 am PT

In late 2020, Google introduced a VPN for its Google One subscription that provides additional Drive/Photos storage, extended support, and other perks. After initially being Android-only, the Google One VPN is now launching on iOS.

iOS Stories January 27

Here’s everything new in the first betas of iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4

Chance Miller

- Jan. 27th 2022 2:58 pm PT

iOS
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Apple has released the first beta of iOS 15.4, and it includes a handful of changes and improvements for iPhone users. Namely, there is now support for using Face ID while wearing a mask, Universal Control, new emoji, and more. Head below as we round up all of the new features in iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and more.

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You can finally try Universal Control between Macs and iPads with macOS 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 betas

Zac

- Jan. 27th 2022 11:24 am PT

iOS macOS
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Great news for Mac users who have been waiting to try Apple’s Universal Control feature since it was announced last June! Starting with the first beta versions of macOS 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4, the cross-device feature is present for the first time.

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Electrek 

iOS Stories January 26

iOS 15.3 patches 10 major security flaws affecting Safari, root privileges, and more

Michael Potuck

- Jan. 26th 2022 10:44 am PT

iOS watchOS Security macOS
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Along with Apple’s software updates today for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and more, a variety of security issues have been fixed. iOS 15.3 specifically patches 10 notable security bugs ranging from the Safari web browsing leak to a flaw that can give malicious apps root privileges, and more.

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iOS Stories January 21

Here’s why Apple should provide standalone updates for native iOS apps

Filipe Espósito

- Jan. 21st 2022 4:19 pm PT

iOS
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Apple constantly highlights that iPhone and iPad devices always receive system updates for a long period of time. While this is true, the company sometimes fails to deliver bug fixes and security improvements as quickly as possible to its users because it needs to update the entire system to fix those things. It’s past time for Apple to offer standalone updates for native iOS apps.

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iOS Stories January 13

Apple says iOS 15 adoption is lower than usual, but here’s why

Chance Miller

- Jan. 13th 2022 10:15 am PT

iOS iOS 14 iOS 15
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For the first time since iOS 15 was released to the public last September, Apple has updated the official installation and adoption numbers via its Developer website. According to Apple, iOS 15 is currently installed on 72% of iPhones released in the last four years. This is lower than previous iOS updates, but there are multiple factors to keep in mind…

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‘Locket’ is a viral new app that lets friends share photos straight to your iPhone Home Screen

Chance Miller

- Jan. 13th 2022 7:59 am PT

iOS
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First introduced with iOS 14, Home Screen widgets have proven to be one of the most popular features ever added to iPhone. Over a year later, developers continue to find innovative ways to take advantage of this feature. Currently sitting atop the App Store charts is a new app called Locket, which “shows you live pictures from your friends, right on your Home Screen.”

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GeForce Now brings Fortnite back to Android and iPhone with new touch controls

from 9to5Google - Jan. 13th 2022 6:41 am PT

Fortnite is still a massive hit, but Epic Games’ war on app stores has left the popular game absent from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store for a long time, with no signs of returning. Today, Nvidia and Epic Games have announced that touch controls are coming to Fortnite on GeForce Now.

iOS Stories January 12

Apple releases iOS 15.2.1 with bug fixes for CarPlay and Messages

Chance Miller

- Jan. 12th 2022 10:04 am PT

iOS iOS 15
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Almost one month after rolling out iOS 15.2 to the public, Apple has a new bug fix update for iPhone users today. The company is now rolling out iOS 15.2.1 to the general public. Apple says today’s update to iOS 15.2.1 includes fixes for CarPlay as well as sharing photos via Messages.

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