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iOS

The world’s most advanced mobile operating system

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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)

How to change iPhone Mail app back to how it worked before

iPhone Mail app icon

The default iPhone email app, Apple Mail, has received a major design and functional change as of the iOS 18.2 update. The changes aim to make triaging through your email easier, with automatic inbox category filters and icons to indicate known senders.

But some people just want it back to how it always was, and are looking how to undo and revert the UI changes. Here’s how to do just that …

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Bug in macOS and iOS updates re-enables Apple Intelligence for some who’d opted out

Bug in macOS and iOS updates re-enables Apple Intelligence for some who had opted out | Screengrab of toggle on Mac

While most of us are have welcomed Apple Intelligence and are impatiently waiting for it to do more, there are some who’ve opted out. Some of these users are reporting that the latest macOS and iOS updates have re-enabled the feature.

While it’s clearly a bug, it’s not clear at this point what causes the unintended behavior, nor how widespread it is …

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Fitness+ adds hours of Kendrick Lamar themed workouts to celebrate Super Bowl LIX

Apple announced a few months ago that Kendrick Lamar would be headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime show on February 6th. Last night at the Grammys, Kendrick Lamar was able to add an additional five Grammys to his now total of 22! Given his current popularity, Apple has added a few Kendrick Lamar-themed workouts for its Fitness+ subscribers.

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Hands-on: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung’s new S25 Ultra: Who did AI better?

I got an early, hands-on look at the new Samsung S25 lineup, most importantly the S25 Ultra. I was curious to see what the best of the best from Samsung was like compared to the Apple counterpart, the iPhone 16 Pro Max. What really stood out to me about these phones is that we have seemed to reach a peak when it comes to form factor. The rectangular, candy bar design breathes a lot of similarities across both devices and so do the internal specs. So the only thing left here to truly compare is going to be the software, user experience, and, of course, their AI. Let’s get into.

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These are the best chargers for your Apple devices at every price point [Hands-on]

With so many devices in our pockets and everyday carry, each device has its own form of charging or wattage capacity, it is now more important than ever to make sure you have the correct charger for each device. For instance, my iPhone charges at 15W via Qi2 but can charge at up to 40W when wired in, so what is the best solution? I’m here to help you pick the best charger no matter your price point.

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Kuo: Apple to release its own smart home camera in 2026, with AI features

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported today that Apple will enter the smart home camera market in 2026, with the company seemingly set to compete against third-party HomeKit cameras like the Eve Indoor Cam for the first time.

The IP camera is targeted to hit annual shipments in the tens of millions, indicating Apple hopes this will become a major accessory in its product lineup. Kuo says the appeal of Apple’s camera will be rich integration with Siri and Apple Intelligence features.

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iOS 18.2 beta now available with Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT, iPhone 16 Visual Intelligence, and more

Apple Intelligence iOS 18.2

The first developer beta of iOS 18.2 is out now. The update brings the second wave of Apple Intelligence features for developers to try.

iOS 18.2 includes Apple’s image generation features like Genmoji and Image Playground, ChatGPT integration in Siri and Writing Tools, and more powerful Writing Tools with the addition of the ‘Describe your change’ text field. iPhone 16 owners can access Visual Intelligence via the Camera Control. The update also expands Apple Intelligence availability to more English-speaking locales, beyond just US English …

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EU compels Apple to improve iOS interoperability with third-party smartwatches, headphones and other accessories

Apple Watch Series 10 reviews | Close-up of watch on colorful background

Update: Apple shared this statement to 9to5Mac on today’s developments:

“At Apple, we’re proud of the fact that we’ve built over 250,000 APIs that allow developers to build apps that access our operating system and functionalities in a way that ensures users’ privacy and security. To comply with the DMA, we’ve also created ways for apps in the European Union to request additional interoperability with iOS and iPadOS while protecting our users. Undermining the protections we’ve built over time would put European consumers at risk, giving bad actors more ways to access their devices and data. We will continue to work constructively with the European Commission on a path forward that both protects our EU users and clarifies the regulation.”

Under the scope of the Digital Markets Act, the EU commission today announced proceedings to compel Apple to improve support for third-party connected devices like smartwatches, headphones, VR headsets with iPhone and iPad.

The notice says the Commission will specify how Apple should provide interoperability with iOS functions like notifications and device pairing. Within six months, the commission will have instructed Apple about how it expects third-party device integration to work.

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Here are 7 widgets that make StandBy Mode worth using [video]

StandBy Mode was introduced to us with the release of iOS 17. It gave the iPhone this passive but dynamic viewing mode when charging and in landscape mode. It can be used as a clock, to see the weather, as a hub for the Home app, or to help avoid distraction. I personally think this is a stepping stone to some sort of HomeOS-type interface for future products. But as it stands today, it is still very useful, especially once you start to customize it with third-party widgets. So here are some of my favorites!

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How to turn your iPhone into a ‘Dumb Phone’ to avoid all distraction

One of my favorite apps of the year is focusedOS. This app had one goal, and it was to reduce distraction during times of focus. It would basically put a block on apps that you chose and would not let you open them until you turned off that Focus. The same developer is back with another digital detox-style app called Dumb Phone, and I absolutely love the idea and how it was implemented.

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