Apple has announced the release date for its significant upcoming update, iOS 18, which will be available for download starting September 16. This announcement was made during a product launch event at Apple’s California headquarters, where the company also introduced four new iPhone models.
The new iOS 18 update will be provided free of charge to most existing iPhones. Users will be able to download it via the Settings app, and eligible devices will receive prompts to upgrade.
iOS 18 will be compatible with any iPhone capable of running the current iOS 17 version. The update features new customization options for the home screen and enhancements to several apps, including Photos.
However, one of Apple’s anticipated features, Apple Intelligence, which consists of a set of AI-powered tools, will not be part of this initial release. The AI features are set to arrive in October and will initially only run in US English, with additional localization for the UK expected in December and further language support, including Chinese, coming in January.
In contrast to iOS 18, the hardware requirements for Apple Intelligence are more stringent; it will be compatible only with the latest iPhone 15 Pro and all new iPhone 16 models. Additionally, the feature will not be available in the European Union due to regulatory disputes.
Both iOS 18 and iOS 18.1, which includes Apple Intelligence, are currently accessible in beta form. Interested users can download the beta versions by joining Apple’s beta program, although they should be aware of potential technical issues and bugs associated with beta software.