It is no secret to anyone that, just as Android is a mobile operating system with great importance worldwide, iOS is too. This was originally developed for the iPhone OS by the multinational Apple Inc. And later, it began to be used in devices such as iPad and iPod Touch.
For its part, much is said about all the versions that have existed of iOS to date, but exactly, most users do not know which and how many are. For this reason, in this post, we want to let you know the features of the greatest interest in the versions of this Apple operating system.
It should be noted that many users wonder if an iOS version and update is the same, so here we will also focus on indicating the main differences between a version and an update of such OS. So, later, you will know the most relevant versions.
What are the differences between a version and an iOS update?
Before specifying every one of the iOS versions, in detail; it’s important to have in mind the distinction between a version and an update of this operating system. Since, although in other systems it is the same, in Apple’s this does not happen.
In that sense, a version refers to a new official launch by Apple. This brings with it certain modifications in the operation and structure of the operating system in general in a device, be it an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. These versions, for example, are: iPhone OS 1.0, iPhone OS 2.0, iPhone OS 3.0, iOS 4, iOS 5, iOS 6, etc.
On the other hand, when talking about an iOS update, reference is made to a new degree of modernization of a version, as such. That is to say, under an iOS version, certain improvements or changes are made that are known as updates and operate with the same version in question. For example, iOS 7 version contains several updates and these are: 7.0, 7.0.1, 7.0.2, 7.0.3, 7.0.4, 7.0.5, 7.0.6, 7.1, 7.1.1 and 7.1.2.
Timeline of all versions of Apple’s mobile iOS operating system that exist
Now it’s time to know what are all the versions that the renowned iOS Apple operating system has had, until this moment. So, you can also know how many are in total and of each of them, what has been their most important and valuable updates.
iPhone OS 1.0
Release Date: June 2007
Also known as iOS 1, this is the first version of the OS i question. Which, at first, did not have a specific name and then adopted the one we indicated. Among its most relevant characteristics, we find that It was only compatible with the first generation of iPhone and iPod Touch.
For its part, thanks to the fact that the SDK was released in March of the following year, iOS allowed all developers to make applications for these devices, that is, the iPhone and iPod Touch. It should be noted that, its updates are as follows: 1.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4 and 1.1.5.
Among these updates, the updates that showed better development and excellent features were the 1.1.1 and 1.1.3.
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1.1.1 |
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1.1.3 |
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iPhone OS 2.0
Release Date: June 2008
A year after the first version, iOS 2.0 was released that by default, It was already factory preinstalled on the iPhone 3G. It should be noted that, for the first time and thanks to this version, users were able to start making use of the App Store; since he brought it with him. In a way that allowed downloading third-party apps.
Among other details, it is a version that could update on devices running version 1.x. However, regarding your updates, are classified in those that we indicate here: 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.2.1.
Next, we detail the characteristics of the most significant updates:
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Details |
2.0 |
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2.1 |
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2.2 |
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iPhone OS 3.0
Release Date: June 17, 2009
A year later, they gave way to the third version of this operating system that is also identified as iOS 3.0. It should be noted that, through the iPhone 3GS device, it was made available and among its different new features, I include the copy-paste function and MMS. Apart from that, it stood out for being the first version adapted for the iPad.
For its part, he admitted that devices running iOS 2.x will be updated to this firmware. Regarding the updates of the iPhone OS 3.0 version, we indicate that they are: 3.0, 3.0.1, 3.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.2, 3.2.1 and 3.2.2. Taking into account that the last three of these versions, were only for iPad and the most important, in general, are about 3.1 and 3.1.3.
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Details |
3.1 |
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3.1.3 |
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iOS 4
Release Date: June 21, 2010
In 2010, this new version of iOS was created, which stands out from the rest by changing everything again. Since, in the first place, it is the first version that stops supporting older devices, that is, the iPhone and the first-generation iPod Touch. Therefore, it only supports the newest and additional, Stop charging iPod Touch to update.
Now, around the updates that iOS 4 showed, we have that they are: 4.0, 4.0.1, 4.0.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3. Bearing in mind that, the most relevant are updates 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2.
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4.0 |
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4.1 |
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4.2 |
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iOS 5
Release Date: June 06, 2011
Next, iOS 5 was launched, distinguished by being the second version of the operating system that does not support updates on the most obsolete devices, that is, on the iPhone 3G and the iPod Touch 2G. Thus, it was launched especially for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPod Touch 3G, iPod Touch 4G, iPad, iPad 2 and iPad 3.
On the other hand, it did not have as many updates as the other versions of iOS. So, they are only the following: 5.0, 5.0.1, 5.1 and 5.1.1; the most relevant of these are 5.0 and 5.1.
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5.0 |
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5.1 |
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iOS 6
Release Date: June 12, 2012
As of this version, iOS was cataloged as the most advanced mobile operating system in history. Being, in the same way, the third version that does not accept updates on certain old devices (Added those detailed above, the first-generation iPad and the third-generation iPod Touch are also included).
In this sense, iOS 6 was launched, specifically, for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPod Touch (4th and 5th generation), iPad (from 2nd to 4th generation) and it includes support for iPad mini in September of this year. Regarding their updates, they were 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 6.1, 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3, 6.1.4, 6.1.5, 6.1.6; the most relevant are:
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6.0 |
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6.1 |
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iOS 7
Release Date: June 10, 2013
It refers to the fourth version of iOS that does not allow updating on older devices and has been considered as the one that managed to give a new perspective to the mobile operating system. It should be noted that he had support for: iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPod Touch 5th generation, iPad from 2nd to 5th generation, iPad mini and iPad mini with retina display in September of the same year.
As for all the updates it had, they are based on the following: 7.0, 7.0.1, 7.0.2, 7.0.3, 7.0.4, 7.0.5, 7.0.6, 7.1, 7.1.1, 7.1.2 . But, the most significant were 7.0, 7.0.3 and 7.1.
Here are some of its features:
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7.0 |
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7.0.3 |
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7.1 |
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iOS 8
During the WWDC annual, this version of Apple’s operating system was released. In this way, the fifth version of iOS does not allow updating on the old devices of the company. That way, it supports the following: iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPod Touch (5th and 6th generation), iPad (from 2nd to 6th generation), iPad mini ( 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation).
Their updates were as follows: 8.0, 8.0.1, 8.0.2, 8.1, 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.4.1. Thus, the most important of all, basically it’s 8.1, 8.3 and 8.4.
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8.1 |
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8.3 |
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8.4 |
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iOS 9
Release Date: September 16, 2015
Although its launch was announced at the annual WWDC conference held on June 8, 2015, it was until September 16 of that year that the official version of iOS 9 was launched. Being one of the most significant, because along with it also some devices were published like the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus and iPad Mini in its 4th generation.
For its part, it also stands out for being the version of Apple in which it was decided, for the first time, not to omit its updates for old devices. That way, it supports all phones, iPods, and iPad from iPhone 4s onwards. Regarding all your updates, we indicate that they are: 9.0, 9.0.1, 9.0.2, 9.1, 9.2, 9.2.1, 9.3, 9.3.1, 9.3.2, 9.3.3, 9.3.4, 9.3.5 and 9.3.6.
The most important are:
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9.0 |
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9.2 |
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9.3 |
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9.3.5 |
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9.3.6 |
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iOS 10
Release Date: September 2016
A year after version 9, version 10 of Apple’s mobile operating system was released. Which, at the same time, was released with the launch of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. It should be noted that this version is available for the iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S, iPhone SE, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, and of course, the two iPhone launched with it.
On the other hand, it was not available to every one of the devices that will use the A5 or A5X processors. That is, the iPhone 4s, iPad 2, iPad 3rd generation, iPad mini 1st generation and also iPod Touch 5th generation. It is appropriate to point out that only three updates were released and these are: 10.0.2, 10.0.3, 10.1, 10.1.1, 10.2, 10.2.1, 10.3, 10.3.1, 10.3.2, 10.3.3, 10.3.4.
The most relevant of these, below:
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10.1 |
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10.2 |
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10.3 |
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iOS 11
Release Date: September 2017
Along with the launch of the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, this new version of iOS were released. Which limits many features for devices such as the iPhone 5s, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3 and iPad Air. Also, those devices are not updated. with 32-bit processors, A6 and also A6X (For example, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and iPad 4th generation).
However, regarding its updates, we note that they are the following: 11.0.1, 11.0.2, 11.0.3, 11.1, 11.1.1, 11.1.2, 11.2, 11.2.1, 11.2.2, 11.2.5 , 11.2.6, 11.3, 11.3.1, 11.4 and finally, 11.4.1.
We detail the most relevant, here:
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11.1 |
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11.3 |
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11.4 |
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iOS 12
Release date: September 17, 2018
This is one of the latest versions of this operating system that was announced during the annual WWDC conference on June 4, 2018. But, it was until September 17 of that year that it was published along with the release of the recognized iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
For its part, it refers to a version that does not skip its updates for older devices. Thus, the second version of iOS that implemented this. However, it has limited support for some devices, especially in Apple A7 and Apple A8 processors. On the other hand, its updates are: 12.0, 12.0.1, 12.0.2, 12.1, 12.1.1, 12.1.2, 12.1.3, 12.1.4, 12.2, 12.3, 12.3.1, 12.3.2, 12.4 and 12.4.1.
In the following list, we name the most special of them:
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Details |
12.0.1 |
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12.2 |
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iOS 13
Release Date: September 19, 2019
As of today, very recently, the latest version of this Apple company OS was published. This was announced since June of this year, but it was until September that it was offered to the public. Thus, it stands out for not offering support to a large number of devices, including all those with 1 GB of RAM and has limited support for those who have processors A8 and A9 or A9X.
However, this version is compatible with the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone X, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, as well as iPod Touch in its 7th generation, iPad Pro 2nd generation , iPad 6th generation and also the iPad Mini 5th generation.
For its part, we highlight some of Your most important news, below:
- A dark mode of the entire system that is available for stock applications and iOS system interfaces.
- Now Siri reads you the messages when you use the AirPods.
- Authenticate web pages with Apple ID.
- It contains a new HUD of volume and silence, less intrusive and dynamic.
- It presents an excellent weight reduction of apps and data of 50%.
- It has a redesign of quick menus on the home screen.
- It has support for third-party cloud storage services in the Files app.
- Introduce a new method of data encryption.
- It does not contain updates (so far).