IOS: Difference between revisions

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Latest revision as of 10:11, 7 August 2025

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| working_state = Current

| source_model = [[Proprietary software|Closed]], with [[open-source]] components

| latest preview version = {{Latest preview software release/iOS 26}}<br>{{Latest preview software release/iOS 18}}

| marketing_target = {{plainlist|

* [[iPhone]]

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| programmed_in = [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]], [[Objective-C]], [[Swift (programming language)|Swift]], [[assembly language]]

| updatemodel = {{plainlist|

* [[Over-the-air programmingupdate|Over-the-air]] (since [[iOS 5|5.0]])

* [[iOS#Update history and schedule|Wired connection]]

}}

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}}

| kernel_type = [[Hybrid kernel|Hybrid]] ([[XNU]])

| support_status = Supported

| other articles = [[iOS version history]]

}}

'''iOS''' (formerly '''iPhone OS''') is a [[mobile operating system]] created and developed by [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] for its [[iPhone]] line of [[smartphones]]. It was unveiled in January 2007 alongside the [[iPhone (1st generation)|first-generation iPhone]], and was released in June 2007. [[IOS version history|Major versions of iOS]] are released annually; the current stable version, [[iOS 18]], was released to the public on September 16, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clover |first=Juli |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Apple Releases iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 With Home Screen Customization, App Locking, Passwords App, Messages Updates and More |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2024/09/16/apple-releases-ios-18/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=[[MacRumors]]}}</ref>

Besides powering iPhone, iOS is the basis for three other [[List of Apple operating systems|operating systems made by Apple]]: [[iPadOS]], [[tvOS]], and [[watchOS]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Espósito |first=Filipe |date=April 13, 2020 |title=HomePod now runs on tvOS, here's what that could mean |url=https://9to5mac.com/2020/04/13/homepod-now-runs-on-tvos-heres-what-that-could-mean/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414143735/https://9to5mac.com/2020/04/13/homepod-now-runs-on-tvos-heres-what-that-could-mean/ |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |access-date=December 12, 2022 |website=9to5Mac |language=en-US}}</ref> iOS formerly also powered [[iPad]]s until iPadOS was introduced in 2019 and the [[iPod Touch]] line of devices until its discontinuation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The music lives on |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/05/the-music-lives-on/ |access-date=June 28, 2022 |website=Apple Newsroom |language=en-US |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511000703/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/05/the-music-lives-on/ |url-status=live }}</ref> iOS is the world's [[Usage share of operating systems|second most widely installed mobile operating system]], after [[Android (operating system)|Android]]. As of December 2023, Apple's [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]] contains more than 3.8&nbsp;million iOS [[mobile apps]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Number of apps from the Apple App Store 2022 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/268251/number-of-apps-in-the-itunes-app-store-since-2008/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=Statista |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207220642/https://www.statista.com/statistics/268251/number-of-apps-in-the-itunes-app-store-since-2008/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

iOS is based on [[macOS]]. Like macOS, it includes components of the [[Mach (kernel)|Mach]] microkernel and [[FreeBSD]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Is Mac Os X Microkernel? – LEMP |url=https://lemp.io/is-mac-os-x-microkernel/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216134006/https://lemp.io/is-mac-os-x-microkernel/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=iOS/About iOS/Mach_and_BSD.md at master · writeups/iOS |url=https://github.com/writeups/iOS/blob/master/About%20iOS/Mach_and_BSD.md |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=GitHub |language=en}}</ref> It is a [[Unix-like]] operating system. Although some parts of iOS are open source under the [[Apple Public Source License]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=License - APSL |url=https://opensource.apple.com/apsl/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=opensource.apple.com |archive-date=December 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211105253/https://opensource.apple.com/apsl |url-status=live }}</ref> and other licenses,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Softwarecups/cups/LICENSE Licenseat Agreementmain - apple-oss-distributions/cups |url=https://opensource.applegithub.com/sourceapple-oss-distributions/cups/cups-327blob/main/cups/doc/help/license.htmlLICENSE |access-date=DecemberAugust 167, 20232025 |website=opensource.apple.com[[GitHub]]}}</ref> iOS is [[proprietary software]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple Open Source |url=https://opensource.apple.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924194724/https://opensource.apple.com/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogucki |first=Michał |date=October 28, 2023 |title=Why is iOS not open source? |url=https://ts2.space/en/why-is-ios-not-open-source/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=TS2 SPACE |language=en-US |archive-date=December 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216134007/https://ts2.space/en/why-is-ios-not-open-source/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== History ==

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On June 3, 2019, [[iPadOS]], the branded version of iOS for iPad, was announced during the WWDC 2019 keynote; it was launched on September 25, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Apple unveils iPadOS, adding features specifically to iPad|url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/06/03/apple-supplements-ios-13-with-new-tablet-specific-ipad-os-branch|access-date=August 11, 2020|website=[[AppleInsider]]|date=June 3, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713124824/https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/06/03/apple-supplements-ios-13-with-new-tablet-specific-ipad-os-branch|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 9, 2025, at WWDC 2025, Apple introduced [[iOS 26]]. The version number indicates the year following the year in which unifiedthe version numberwas acrossintroduced; this numbering scheme is now being used for all Apple Operatingoperating systems, keeping their version numbers Systemssynchronized.

== Features ==

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Game Center was announced during an iOS 4 preview event hosted by Apple on April 8, 2010. A preview was released to registered Apple developers in August.<ref name="appleDEV" /> It was released on September 8, 2010, with iOS 4.1 on [[iPhone 4]], iPhone 3GS, and iPod Touch 2nd generation through 4th generation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Holt |first=Chris |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/207470/ios-gamecenter.html |title=iOS 4.1's GameCenter to Hit iPhone Next Week |website=[[Macworld]] |date=September 1, 2010 |access-date=February 21, 2022 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222020825/https://www.macworld.com/article/207470/ios-gamecenter.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Game Center made its public debut on the iPad with iOS 4.2.1.<ref name="iOS 4.2 for iPad">{{cite web|title=iOS 4.2 Software Update for iPad|url=https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1060|publisher=Apple Inc.|access-date=October 9, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306014058/http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1060|archive-date=March 6, 2013}}</ref> There is no support for the [[iPhone 3G]], [[iPhone (1st generation)|original iPhone]] and the [[iPod Touch|first-generation iPod Touch]] (the latter two devices did not have Game Center because they did not get iOS 4).<ref name="Game Center">{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/game-center|title=Game Center|date=December 23, 2010|publisher=Apple|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223055005/https://www.apple.com/game-center|archive-date=December 23, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, Game Center is unofficially available on the iPhone 3G via a hack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shoutpedia.com/how-to-enable-game-centre-iphone-3g/|title=How to Install Game Center on iPhone 3G [Guide]|author=A. Usman|date=October 31, 2012|website=Shoutpedia|access-date=December 12, 2018|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222557/https://www.shoutpedia.com/how-to-enable-game-centre-iphone-3g/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== ArchitectureSupported processors ==

The instruction set architecturearchitectures usedsupported by iOS isare the [[ARM architecture family|ARM architecturearchitectures]]. With currently supported ARM architectures being various versions of the [[ARM architecture family#Armv8|ARMv8]] and [[ARM architecture family#Armv9|ARMv9]] architectures. iOS, prior to the release of [[iOS 7]] in 2013, only supported devices with [[32-bit]] ARM processors supporting the [[ARMv6]] or [[ARMv7-A]] architectures, however iOS 7 added full support for the [[64-bit computing|64-bit]] architecture (including a native 64-bit kernel, libraries, drivers as well as all built-in applications),<ref>{{cite web |last=Wollman |first=Dana |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/09/10/ios-7-64-bit/ |title=iOS 7 will be 64-bit, just like the iPhone 5s' new A7 chip |publisher=[[Engadget]] |date=September 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924141559/http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/10/ios-7-64-bit/ |archive-date=September 24, 2015 }}</ref> after Apple announced that they were switching to 64-bit [[ARMv8-A]] processors with the introduction of the [[Apple A7]] chip.<ref>{{cite web |last=Souppouris |first=Aaron |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/9/12/4722470/iphone-5s-64-bit-processor-is-a-bigger-deal-than-you-think |title=Why Apple's 64-bit iPhone chip is a bigger deal than you think |publisher=[[The Verge]] |date=September 12, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428174943/http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/12/4722470/iphone-5s-64-bit-processor-is-a-bigger-deal-than-you-think |archive-date=April 28, 2017 }}</ref> 64-bit support has been enforced for all app submissions made to the [[App Store (Apple)|App Store]] since 2015; specifically, new apps since February 2015, and all updates to apps since June 1, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/07/the-state-of-the-64-bit-transition-in-ios-and-whats-left-to-be-done/ |title=The state of the 64-bit transition in iOS, and what's left to be done |publisher=[[Ars Technica]] |date=July 2, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131202530/https://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/07/the-state-of-the-64-bit-transition-in-ios-and-whats-left-to-be-done/ |archive-date=January 31, 2017 }}</ref> [[iOS 11]], released in 2017, dropped support for all iOS devices with 32-bit ARM processors as well as 32-bit applications,<ref>{{cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/2017/06/goodbye-32-bit-ios-11-ends-support-for-the-iphone-5-and-the-ipad-4/ |title=iOS 11 drops the iPhone 5 and 5C and the fourth-gen iPad |publisher=[[Ars Technica]] |date=June 5, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605192202/https://arstechnica.com/apple/2017/06/goodbye-32-bit-ios-11-ends-support-for-the-iphone-5-and-the-ipad-4/ |archive-date=June 5, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mayo |first=Benjamin |url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/06/06/ios-11-32-bit-mac-app-store-64-bit/ |title=32-bit apps will not launch on iOS 11, Mac App Store transition to 64-bit from 2018 |work=9to5Mac |publisher=[[Apple community#9to5Mac|9to5Mac]] |date=June 6, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620040920/https://9to5mac.com/2017/06/06/ios-11-32-bit-mac-app-store-64-bit/ |archive-date=June 20, 2017 }}</ref> making iOS 64-bit only.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/2017/04/what-the-death-of-32-bit-ios-could-mean-for-apples-hardware-and-software/ |title=What the death of 32-bit iOS could mean for Apple's hardware and software |publisher=[[Ars Technica]] |date=April 13, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429003555/https://arstechnica.com/apple/2017/04/what-the-death-of-32-bit-ios-could-mean-for-apples-hardware-and-software/ |archive-date=April 29, 2017 }}</ref>

== Devices ==

iOS powers almost exclusively Apple hardware. It is used for all iPhones and iPod Touch devices. Further, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and iPads either also use iOS for some models or use OSes based on iOS for other models.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple iOS: What It Is for iPhone and iPad, vs. Mac OS |url=https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/apple-ios.asp |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=Investopedia |language=en}}</ref>

{{Main|List of iPhone models}}

{{Timeline of iOS devices}}

== Development ==

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{{pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = iPhone platform usage as measured by the [[App Store (Apple)|App Store]] on January 21th21st, 2025<ref name="platformUsage">{{Cite web|url=https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store/|title=App Store – Support – Apple Developer|website=Apple Developer|access-date=January 26, 2022|archive-date=November 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101233112/https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store/|url-status=live}}</ref>

| label1 = [[iOS 18]]

| value1 = 76

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{{pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = iPad platform usage as measured by the [[App Store (Apple)|App Store]] on January 21th21st, 2025<ref name="platformUsage"/>

| label1 = [[iPadOS 18]]

| value1 = 63

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}}

[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] provides major updates to the iOS operating system annually. Since iOS 5, the primary method of delivery has been [[WirelessOver-the-air update|over-the-air]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=Serenity|date=October 15, 2011|title=Up close with iOS 5: Wireless syncing and updating|url=http://www.macworld.com/article/1163060/up_close_with_ios_5_wireless_syncing_and_updating.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808112956/http://www.macworld.com/article/1163060/up_close_with_ios_5_wireless_syncing_and_updating.html|archive-date=August 8, 2017|access-date=June 20, 2017|website=[[Macworld]]|publisher=[[International Data Group]]}}</ref> Updates are also available using [[iTunes]] on aolder computer;versions thisof functionality[[macOS]] movedand to[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], using [[Finder (software)|Finder]] on macOS starting with [[macOS Catalina]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.howtogeek.com/443462/where-are-itunes-features-in-macos-catalina/|title=Where Are iTunes Features in macOS Catalina?|author=Tim Brookes|date=October 17, 2019|website=How-To Geek|access-date=October 27, 2019|archive-date=October 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027032052/https://www.howtogeek.com/443462/where-are-itunes-features-in-macos-catalina/|url-status=live}}</ref> and using the [[Apple Devices]] app on [[Windows]] starting with [[Windows 10]] version 22H2.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9NP83LWLPZ9K | title=Apple Devices Preview - Official app in the Microsoft Store | access-date=December 16, 2023 | archive-date=December 16, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216123607/https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9NP83LWLPZ9K | url-status=live }}</ref>

The device checks an XML-based PLIST file on mesu.apple.com {{Citation needed|date=October 2023}} for updates. Updates are delivered as unencrypted ZIP files. Updates are checked for regularly, and are downloaded and installed automatically if enabled. Otherwise, the user can install them manually or are prompted to allow automatic installation overnight if plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.

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=== XNU kernel ===

{{Main|XNU}}

iOS uses a modified version of the [[XNU]] kernel included in the [[Darwin (operating system)|Darwin]] operating system and used by [[macOS]], adapted to work with Apple'sdevices rangethat ofrun mobile devicesiOS. It is additionally used as the kernel for Apple's other platforms and operating systems, including [[iPadOS]], [[watchOS]], [[visionOS]], and [[tvOS]], and also serves as the kernel used by the software powering the [[HomePod]] range of smart speakers. iOS 18, the latest stable version of iOS, uses version 24 of Darwin. Darwin, and by definition XNU, is [[open source]] software dual-licensed under the [[BSD licenses#3-clause license ("BSD License 2.0", "Revised BSD License", "New BSD License", or "Modified BSD License")|3-clause BSD license]] for components developed specifically for [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]], and the [[Apple Public Source License]] (APSL) for components of the operating system and kernel that have been developed by Apple; however, XNU is licensed specifically under the APSL.<ref>{{Cite web |title=xnu/APPLE_LICENSE at main · apple-oss-distributions/xnu |url=https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/blob/main/APPLE_LICENSE |archive-url=httphttps://web.archive.org/web/20250531142949/https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/blob/main/APPLE_LICENSE |archive-date=2025-05-May 31, 2025 |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=[[GitHub]] |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since the release of [[iOS 6]] in 2012, the kernel uses [[Address space layout randomization|kernel address space layout randomization]] (KASLR), a technology and security technique introduced in [[OS X Mountain Lion]] and included in later versions of macOS that makes it harder to exploit known and future [[memory corruption]] [[Vulnerability (computer security)|security vulnerabilities]] by randomizing the memory addresses used by the kernel.<ref>{{cite web |author=Esser |first=Stefan |date=March 7, 2013 |title=iOS 6 Exploitation 280 Days Later |url=https://www.slideshare.net/i0n1c/csw2013-stefan-esserios6exploitation280dayslater/19-KASLR_iOS_6_introduces_KASLR |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507015239/https://www.slideshare.net/i0n1c/csw2013-stefan-esserios6exploitation280dayslater/19-KASLR_iOS_6_introduces_KASLR |archive-date=2019-05-07 |access-date=June 6, 2025 |at=Slide 19, "iOS 6 introduces KASLR"}}</ref>

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In the third quarter of 2015, research from Strategy Analytics showed that iOS adoption of the worldwide smartphone market was at a record low 12.1%, attributed to lackluster performance in China and Africa. Android accounted for 87.5% of the market, with Windows Phone and BlackBerry accounting for the rest.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sui|first=Linda|date=November 2, 2016|title=Strategy Analytics: Android Captures Record 88 Percent Share of Global Smartphone Shipments in Q3 2016|url=https://www.strategyanalytics.com/strategy-analytics/news/strategy-analytics-press-releases/strategy-analytics-press-release/2016/11/02/strategy-analytics-android-captures-record-88-percent-share-of-global-smartphone-shipments-in-q3-2016#.WDqfU-YrKUl|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127153018/https://www.strategyanalytics.com/strategy-analytics/news/strategy-analytics-press-releases/strategy-analytics-press-release/2016/11/02/strategy-analytics-android-captures-record-88-percent-share-of-global-smartphone-shipments-in-q3-2016#.WDqfU-YrKUl|archive-date=November 27, 2016|access-date=November 27, 2016|publisher=Strategy Analytics}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rossignol|first=Joe|date=November 2, 2016|title=iOS Adoption Remains at Lowest Levels Since 2014 as Android Captures Record 87.5% Market Share|url=http://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/02/ios-vs-android-market-share-3q16/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127215126/http://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/02/ios-vs-android-market-share-3q16/|archive-date=November 27, 2016|access-date=November 27, 2016|publisher=[[MacRumors]]}}</ref>

== Devices ==

{{Main|List of iPhone models}}

{{Timeline of iOS devices}}

== See also ==

{{portal|Computer programming}}

* [[Comparison of mobile operating systems]]

== Notes ==

{{notelist}}

== References ==