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Apple iOS

By Brien Posey

What is Apple iOS?

Apple iOS is a proprietary mobile operating system that runs on mobile devices such as the iPhone and iPad.

Apple iOS stands for iPhone operating system and is designed for use with Apple's multitouch devices. The mobile OS supports input through direct manipulation and responds to various user gestures, such as pinching, tapping and swiping. The iOS developer kit provides tools that allow for iOS app development.

Apple iOS market share

As of 2023, the Apple iOS market share was 19.9% worldwide, according to IDC. The 2023 iOS market share marks a multi-year high for Apple, surpassing the 18.8% share reported in 2022 and significantly higher than it was in 2019 when IDC reported iOS as having a 13.4% market share.

Apple iOS features

What are the security and privacy features of Apple iOS?

iOS includes the following security features:

Apple iOS version history

Apple iOS was originally known as iPhone OS. The company released three versions of the mobile OS under that name before iOS 4 debuted in June 2010. Apple released iOS 2 on July 11, 2008. It premiered alongside Apple's iPhone 3G. This operating system was followed on June 17, 2009 by iOS 3. The fourth version of iOS was released on June 21, 2010, along with the iPhone 4.

On Oct. 12, 2011, Apple released iOS 5, which expanded the number of available applications to over 500,000. This iOS version also added the Notification Center, a camera app, Siri and more.

Unveiled on June 11, 2012, iOS 6 included a Maps application and the Passbook ticket storage and loyalty program application.

Released on Sept. 18, 2013, iOS 7 featured an entirely redesigned user interface. In September 2014, iOS 8 introduced Continuity, a cross-platform system that allows users of multiple Apple devices to pick up on one where they left off from another. Other new features included the Photos app and Apple Music.

Apple iOS 9 and iOS 10 -- released on September 16, 2015, and September 13, 2016 -- featured upgrades such as a revamped notifications section, improved iMessage capabilities and Siri integration with third-party apps.

iOS 11 debuted on September 19, 2017. With the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. With this release, Apple dropped support for older 32-bit iPhones. iOS 12 was released to the public on September 17, 2017 along with the company's new iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

iOS 13

iOS 13 was released on Sept. 19, 2019. Some of the more significant features of iOS 13 include the following:

iOS 14

iOS 14 was released on September 16, 2020. Among the features is a messaging app that allows users to retract messages sent accidentally and include @mentions in messages. This release also allows third-party apps to be used as the default for web browsing, accessing email and playing music. Additionally, Apple integrated augmented reality capabilities into the operating system.

iOS 15

iOS 15 was released on September 20, 2021. Features of iOS 15 include using FaceID while wearing a mask, filtering notifications and apps to reduce distractions, text recognition in images, Safari redesign, SharePlay on FaceTime to share screens, and updates to notifications. Users can also invite others to join FaceTime online -- even if they do not use an Apple device.

Apple Wallet was updated to add home, car and office keys to unlock doors with compatible HomeKit door locks, uploading personal identification and adding multiple passes at once. iOS 15 also added functionality for health screening and sharing with Apple watch’s wearable technology. Users can now monitor glucose levels, walking steadiness and changes in metrics such as heart rate.

iOS 16

iOS 16 was released on September 12, 2022. Features of iOS 16 include increased personalization on the lock screen to add widgets – for example, weather or calendar events, notifications and live activities, such as game scores and tracking food delivery. Other major feature additions include the following:

iOS 16 is compatible with iPhone 8 or newer. iPad OS 16 is compatible with iPad 5th generation or later; iPad mini 5th generation or later; iPad Air 3rd generation or later; and all iPad Pro models.

iOS 17

On June 5, 2023, Apple announced new upgrades in the iOS 17 release. The first public beta of iOS 17 came out July 12, 2023, with general availability of the software update on Sept. 18, 2023. Feature updates in this release upgrade communication experiences through iPhone, FaceTime and Messages with more personalization and aim to make sharing easier with AirDrop. iOS 17 also introduces new features such as Journal to practice gratitude and StandBy to view information when iPhone is either charging or set down.

Other major updates include:

iOS 17 is compatible with iPhone XR or newer and is the launch operating system for iPhone 15.

13 Sep 2023

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