Is Your iPhone Compatible with iOS 18? Everything You need to Know

Apple has officially released the highly anticipated iOS 18 update, bringing a host of new features and improvements to iPhones around the world. As with every major iOS update, one of the most common concerns among users revolves around device compatibility, especially for those still using older models.

Will iOS 18 cause performance issues on aging iPhones?

The good news is that iOS 18 is available for a wide range of iPhones, including models that were launched as far back as 2018. Specifically, the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, all released six years ago, are the oldest devices to support this update.

If you own an iPhone from 2018 or later, you should be able to download iOS 18 via your device's settings. Keep in mind that because Apple is rolling out the update to millions of users simultaneously, it might take some time for the update to appear on your device. To check for availability, simply go to Settings -> General -> Software Update.

List of iPhones Compatible with iOS 18:

iPhone 16

iPhone 16 Plus

iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 15

iPhone 15 Plus

iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 14

iPhone 14 Plus

iPhone 14 Pro

iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 13

iPhone 13 mini

iPhone 13 Pro

iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 12

iPhone 12 mini

iPhone 12 Pro

iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 11

iPhone 11 Pro

iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone XS

iPhone XS Max

iPhone XR

iPhone SE (2022)

iPhone SE (2020)

If your iPhone is on this list, you’ll be eligible to receive iOS 18. However, the real question is whether older devices like the iPhone XS or XR will perform as well as the latest iPhone 16 models when running the new update.

Performance on Older iPhones

Some iPhone users, particularly those with older models, have voiced concerns about potential slowdowns after upgrading to a new iOS version. This has sparked a long-standing debate about whether Apple intentionally slows down older devices to push users toward upgrading to newer models. According to a report by 9To5Mac, the situation is not as straightforward.

While there is no concrete evidence to support the idea of intentional throttling, the reality is that older iPhones simply do not have the processing power of newer models. Consequently, they may struggle to run the latest features and enhancements introduced in iOS 18 as smoothly as the newer iPhones.

Apple optimizes its software to ensure that older devices can still run the latest iOS updates without significant issues. However, some performance trade-offs are inevitable when running cutting-edge features on aging hardware. For instance, newer features such as advanced machine learning, augmented reality, and real-time processing might put a heavier strain on the older chipsets found in iPhones like the XS or XR, leading to slower performance and possible battery drain.

For users with more recent models, such as the iPhone 14 or iPhone 15, the performance impact of iOS 18 is expected to be minimal. These devices have the hardware required to handle the latest features without experiencing noticeable slowdowns. On the other hand, users of iPhones from 2018 or 2019 may encounter occasional performance dips or a reduction in battery life as their devices work harder to support the new functionalities.

Should You Upgrade to iOS 18?

The decision to upgrade to iOS 18 largely depends on your priorities. If you’re eager to experience the newest features, interface enhancements, and system improvements, then installing iOS 18 may be worth the potential trade-off in performance. However, if you're more concerned about maintaining optimal speed and battery life on your older iPhone, you might want to hold off on the upgrade.

Thankfully, Apple provides a middle ground for users who are hesitant to make the jump to iOS 18. Alongside the latest update, Apple is also releasing iOS 17.7, a version that includes critical security patches but lacks the resource-heavy new features of iOS 18. This option allows users to stay secure while avoiding the potential performance drawbacks of upgrading to the latest operating system. For users with older devices, this might be a more suitable option until you're ready for a new iPhone.

Apple’s Long-Term Support for Older Devices

One thing Apple has consistently done is offer long-term software support for its devices, often longer than many competitors in the tech industry. While the company would certainly love for users to upgrade to the latest iPhone 16 models, it continues to roll out updates for devices as old as the iPhone XS and XR, ensuring that users can still access new features and security patches.

Ultimately, whether to install iOS 18 or stick with an older iOS version is up to the user. If you crave the latest innovations, then updating to iOS 18 could be exciting. However, if you prefer a stable and reliable experience on an older iPhone, you may opt to stay with iOS 17.7 for now, knowing that Apple still has your back when it comes to security.