Skip to main content

iOS

4,854 'iOS' stories August 2010 - December 2017
See All Stories

The world’s most advanced mobile operating system

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)

Zero-day iOS HomeKit vulnerability allowed remote access to smart accessories including locks, fix rolling out

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 7 2017 - 1:03 pm PT
0 Comments

A HomeKit vulnerability in the current version of iOS 11.2 has been demonstrated to 9to5Mac that allows unauthorized control of accessories including smart locks and garage door openers. Our understanding is Apple has rolled out a server-side fix that now prevent unauthorized access from occurring while limiting some functionality, and an update to iOS 11.2 coming next week will restore that full functionality.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple’s US smartphone market share dropped 8 points in run-up to iPhone X launch – Kantar

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 5 2017 - 5:33 am PT
0 Comments

Market intelligence company Kantar said that iOS market share in the U.S. fell from 40.6% in the three months ending in October 2016 to 32.9% in the same quarter this year. Apple saw similar significant drops in other key markets, says the firm, as customers waited for the iPhone X to go on sale.

Kantar says that the drop was inevitable, but still puts pressure on Apple …


Expand
Expanding
Close

iOS 12 wishlist imagines what top requested features might look like [Gallery]

Avatar for Michael Potuck Dec 4 2017 - 12:30 pm PT
0 Comments

While features that were announced for iOS 11 back at WWDC this past June are still rolling out to users, the latest iOS version has been out long enough for users, developers, and designers to put thought into what iOS 12 should bring to the table. Now, an iOS 12 wishlist based on highly requested features shows us what Apple could have in store for the next major iOS update.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple releases iOS 11.2 with date crashing fix, Apple Pay Cash included, other changes

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Dec 2 2017 - 1:10 am PT
0 Comments

Apple has now released iOS 11.2, bringing the fix for the repeated crashes users experienced since the date rolled over to December 2, as we reported on earlier today. iOS 11.2 also includes Apple Pay Cash, for peer-to-peer payments between friends in the US, but it is not yet available to use (it will be activated OTA in a few days).

Download iOS 11.2 now for your iPad, iPhone and iPad touch. Go to Settings -> Software Update to install it. See a list of all the changes in iOS 11.2 after the jump …


Expand
Expanding
Close

Many iPhone users suffering from random reboots & crashes due to date/time bug affecting notifications

Avatar for Chance Miller Dec 1 2017 - 10:09 pm PT
0 Comments

Just days after the huge root security flaw on macOS earlier this week, a growing number of iPhone and iPad users are reporting serious reboot and respring issues. The problem, detailed in a growing Reddit thread and on Twitter, seems to stem from apps that use local notifications, such as reminder applications like Headspace and Calm…


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple releases sixth iOS 11.2 and macOS 10.13.2 betas

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 1 2017 - 10:08 am PT
0 Comments

Apple has released the sixth beta version of iOS 11.2 beta for developers. macOS 10.13.2 beta 6 is also available for testing.

iOS 11.2 will include Apple Pay Cash support in addition to SiriKit for HomePod which was detailed at the end of October. AirPlay 2 was also previously available in beta versions but disappeared in the previous beta when the HomePod delay was announced.


Expand
Expanding
Close

HQ Trivia creator says lessons learned from Vine, creative constraints inspired the popular new game show app

Avatar for Michael Steeber Dec 1 2017 - 7:32 am PT
0 Comments

Twice a day, my afternoon and evening are punctuated by an eagerly awaited push notification inviting me to join a growing crowd of fans all over the world playing HQ Trivia, a modern take on the classic TV game show. The brief, fifteen minute games usually end for me with a “savage question” that eliminates my chance of winning a growing cash prize, but leaves me excited to try again tomorrow. The thrill of the game is no accident; it’s all part of the app’s clever design.

9to5Mac asked Rus Yusupov, co-founder of HQ Trivia and the former social network Vine, just what makes the new game so captivating.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple releases fifth iOS 11.2, macOS 10.13.2, and tvOS 11.2 betas

Avatar for Zac Hall Nov 28 2017 - 10:06 am PT
0 Comments

Apple has released the fifth beta version of iOS 11.2 beta for developers. tvOS 11.2 beta and macOS 10.13.2 beta 5 are also available for testing. There doesn’t appear to be a new watchOS 4.2 beta today.

iOS 11.2 will include Apple Pay Cash support in addition to SiriKit for HomePod which was detailed at the end of October. AirPlay 2 was also previously available in beta versions but disappeared in the previous beta when the HomePod delay was announced.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp amasses 15M downloads in first week, half that of Super Mario Run

Avatar for Chance Miller Nov 27 2017 - 4:15 pm PT
0 Comments

Last week, Nintendo officially released the highly anticipated Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp for iOS. We offered our initial hands-on impressions, noting of a few downsides you should expect. Now, research firm SensorTower says the game has been downloaded some 15 million times in its first week of availability…


Expand
Expanding
Close

YouTube app update promises fix for iOS 11 battery drain bugs

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Nov 27 2017 - 1:44 am PT
0 Comments

Two weeks ago, we highlighted that many iPhone and iPad users were seeing severe battery issues when playing videos in the YouTube app; the device would become unnaturally warm and battery would quickly deplete when it really shouldn’t. A YouTube app update visible today in the App Store promises a fix for this problem.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Amazon reportedly cancels plans for ‘skinny bundle’ TV service, echoing Apple’s rumored TV attempts

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Nov 15 2017 - 4:14 am PT
0 Comments

Amazon has seemingly cancelled plans to launch an unbundled a la carte internet TV service, featuring top channels. Reuters says Amazon was unable to convince networks to sign on and struggled to find profitable business arrangements. It has been widely reported that Apple wanted to launch a similar skinny bundle of streaming channels, but also faced industry backlash and failed to bring the service to market.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Report: Apple will help create anti-spam app in India, to a limited extent, citing privacy concerns

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Nov 15 2017 - 3:29 am PT
0 Comments

Apple has been fighting the Indian government over approving an iOS app to block spam calls and texts in the region for some time now. A new report from Reuters suggests that Apple has changed its tune slightly, agreeing to provide assistance to help make such an app, but with ‘limited capabilities’.

Apple does not want to give a third-party app access to iPhone call logs on privacy grounds, but it’s not clear what compromise has been reached.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Former Apple engineering director launches RAW Power photo editor for iOS

Avatar for Michael Steeber Nov 14 2017 - 7:00 am PT
0 Comments

With the release of iOS 10, Apple harnessed the growing power and advancing optics of iPhones and iPads by introducing RAW image capture support. Users wishing to edit their RAW photos on iOS have been left with few options, however. Now, a former Apple engineering director is aiming to help professional and amateur iOS photographers alike with the release of a powerful new app for iPhone and iPad.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple releases third iOS 11.2, watchOS 4.2, tvOS 11.2, and macOS 10.13.2 betas

Avatar for Zac Hall Nov 13 2017 - 10:13 am PT
0 Comments

Apple has released the third developer beta of iOS 11.2 for iPhone and iPad. The latest version comes one week after the second beta became available for all iPhones and iPads after first coming to iPhone X. Apple has also released the third developer beta versions of watchOS 4.2 for Apple Watch, tvOS 11.2 for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K, and macOS 10.13.2 for Mac.


Expand
Expanding
Close