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iOS is the mobile operating system created by Apple for its iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Initially released in 2007 as iPhone OS, it was rebranded as iOS in 2010. Over the years, iOS has undergone significant updates, introducing new features, improving performance, and offering better integration with other Apple products such as iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Below is a comprehensive version history of iOS, highlighting key features and changes introduced in each major release.

iOS 17 brought several new features aimed at enhancing communication, personalization, and the user experience on iPhone.

• Contact Posters. Introduced Contact Posters, allowing users to create custom images or memoji that appear during phone calls, providing a more personalized calling experience.
• Live Voicemail. Added Live Voicemail, allowing users to see a live transcription of a voicemail while it is being recorded and decide whether to pick up the call.
• StandBy. Introduced StandBy, a full-screen display mode that activates when the iPhone is charging and placed horizontally, showing widgets, clocks, and notifications.
• NameDrop. Added NameDrop, a new feature in AirDrop that allows users to share contact information by bringing two iPhones close together.
• Journal app. Introduced the Journal app, which encourages users to document daily activities, feelings, and photos for mindfulness and reflection.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-17/

iOS 16 introduced new customization options and enhancements for communication, security, and everyday functionality.

• Lock Screen customization. Introduced extensive Lock Screen customization options, including widgets, customizable fonts, and the ability to display real-time information like weather and sports scores.
• Edit and unsend messages. Added the ability to edit or unsend messages in iMessage, providing more flexibility in messaging conversations.
• Live Activities. Introduced Live Activities, allowing apps to display live updates, like sports scores or delivery tracking, directly on the Lock Screen.
• Focus mode enhancements. Improved Focus modes with the ability to link different Lock Screens to specific Focus modes, offering tailored experiences based on activity.
• Passkeys. Enhanced security with Passkeys, a password-less authentication method integrated into Safari for easier and more secure logins.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-16/

iOS 15 focused on improving communication, notifications, and system intelligence, alongside deeper integration with other Apple services.

• Focus mode. Introduced Focus modes, allowing users to filter notifications and apps based on their current activity, such as work or personal time.
• FaceTime improvements. Enhanced FaceTime with spatial audio, grid view, and SharePlay, allowing users to share content like movies and music during calls.
• Notifications redesign. Redesigned notifications with larger icons, more interactive elements, and a Notification Summary that groups notifications by relevance.
• Live Text. Added Live Text, allowing users to select, copy, and interact with text in photos using AI-based recognition.
• Maps enhancements. Improved Apple Maps with more detailed city views, including 3D landmarks, as well as better driving and walking directions.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-15/

iOS 14 introduced new customization options for the home screen, as well as privacy enhancements and changes to core apps like Messages and Maps.

• Home screen widgets. Introduced home screen widgets, allowing users to add customizable information blocks, such as weather, calendars, and app shortcuts, directly to their home screens.
• App Library. Added the App Library, which automatically organizes all apps into categorized folders at the end of the home screen for easier access and less clutter.
• Compact calls. Redesigned incoming phone calls and Siri interactions to appear as banners at the top of the screen, rather than full-screen interruptions.
• Picture-in-Picture. Added Picture-in-Picture mode, allowing users to watch videos or take FaceTime calls while using other apps.
• Privacy updates. Enhanced privacy features, including the ability to give apps access to approximate locations instead of precise locations and indicators for when the camera or microphone is in use.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-14/

iOS 13 introduced performance improvements, a new system-wide Dark Mode, and updates to many core apps and features.

• Dark Mode. Introduced a system-wide Dark Mode, offering a darker color scheme across the user interface and apps for a more comfortable viewing experience in low-light conditions.
• Sign in with Apple. Introduced Sign in with Apple, allowing users to log into apps and websites using their Apple ID for enhanced privacy and security.
• Photos and video editing. Added more powerful editing tools to the Photos app, allowing for greater control over lighting, color, and video editing.
• Siri Shortcuts. Expanded Siri Shortcuts with new automation options, enabling users to create multi-step workflows that can be triggered by specific conditions.
• Privacy enhancements. Included new privacy controls, such as location access limitations and alerts when apps are using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for tracking.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-13/

iOS 12 focused on improving system performance and introduced new tools for managing screen time, as well as several new apps and features.

• Performance improvements. Optimized performance, particularly on older devices, with faster app launch times and better overall system responsiveness.
• Screen Time. Introduced Screen Time, which allows users to track how much time they spend on apps, set app limits, and create Downtime schedules for better digital well-being.
• Grouped notifications. Introduced grouped notifications, making it easier to manage and clear notifications by grouping them based on app or context.
• Group FaceTime. Added Group FaceTime, allowing up to 32 participants in a single video or audio call.
• ARKit 2. Introduced ARKit 2, improving the platform’s ability to handle augmented reality experiences, including shared AR experiences with multiple users.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-12/

iOS 11 brought a range of new features aimed at improving the user experience on iPhone and iPad, with particular emphasis on multitasking and file management on the iPad.

• Files app. Introduced the Files app, a new file management system that allows users to browse and organize files stored on their device, in iCloud, and in third-party cloud services.
• iPad multitasking. Improved multitasking on the iPad with features like Slide Over, Split View, and a redesigned App Switcher.
• Drag and drop. Added Drag and Drop functionality on iPad, allowing users to drag text, images, and files between apps.
• ARKit. Introduced ARKit, enabling developers to create augmented reality apps that integrate with the real world using the iPhone and iPad cameras.
• Control Center redesign. Redesigned the Control Center to be more customizable, allowing users to choose which shortcuts and settings appear.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-11/

iOS 10 introduced a range of new features focused on enhancing communication, improving user interaction, and updating core apps.

• Messages app overhaul. Redesigned the Messages app with new features like iMessage apps, rich links, and animated effects to enhance communication.
• Raise to wake. Introduced Raise to Wake, automatically turning on the screen when the device is picked up without needing to press a button.
• SiriKit. Added SiriKit, enabling third-party developers to integrate Siri into their apps for tasks like messaging, payments, and ride booking.
• Redesigned Lock Screen. Overhauled the Lock Screen with a new look, including widgets and more interactive notifications.
• Home app. Introduced the Home app, enabling users to control their smart home devices compatible with HomeKit from a single app.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-10/

iOS 9 focused on improving system performance, extending battery life, and introducing several new productivity features, particularly for the iPad.

• Split View multitasking. Introduced Split View on the iPad, allowing users to run two apps side by side for better multitasking.
• Low Power Mode. Added Low Power Mode, extending battery life by reducing power consumption when the battery is running low.
• Proactive Siri. Improved Siri with more proactive features, like suggesting apps based on usage patterns and automatically providing relevant information.
• Apple News. Introduced the Apple News app, curating news articles from various sources in a clean, easy-to-read format.
• Improved Maps. Enhanced Apple Maps with public transit directions and new features like place cards for locations of interest.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-9

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iOS 8 introduced several new features aimed at improving connectivity between Apple devices and enhancing the overall user experience.

• Continuity. Introduced Continuity, allowing users to start tasks on one Apple device and continue them on another, such as starting an email on Mac and finishing it on iPhone.
• HealthKit. Introduced HealthKit and the Health app, providing users with a central location to track and manage their health and fitness data.
• HomeKit. Added HomeKit, a framework for controlling smart home devices from the iPhone or iPad using Siri or dedicated apps.
• Family Sharing. Introduced Family Sharing, allowing up to six family members to share purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store, and iBooks.
• QuickType keyboard. Added QuickType, a predictive text feature that suggests words as users type, improving typing speed and accuracy.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-8/

iOS 7 was a major redesign, introducing a new flat design language and a wide range of new features aimed at improving usability and modernizing the user experience.

• Flat design. Overhauled the entire user interface with a new flat design language, featuring simpler icons, bright colors, and translucency effects.
• Control Center. Introduced Control Center, providing quick access to common settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and brightness controls.
• AirDrop. Added AirDrop for iOS, enabling users to share files wirelessly with nearby iPhones, iPads, and iPods using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• Multitasking enhancements. Improved multitasking with a card-based interface that previews open apps and allows for easier switching between them.
• iTunes Radio. Introduced iTunes Radio, a free, ad-supported music streaming service integrated into the Music app.

Official documentation: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-7/

Since its initial release in 2007, iOS has evolved into a sophisticated mobile operating system that powers millions of iPhones and iPods worldwide. Each version has introduced new features and improvements, making the platform more secure, user-friendly, and capable of handling increasingly complex tasks. From the introduction of the App Store in iOS 2 to the latest personalization options in iOS 17, iOS continues to shape the way users interact with their mobile devices and remains at the forefront of innovation in the mobile industry.

The early versions of iOS, originally known as iPhone OS, laid the foundation for the modern smartphone experience. Below is a detailed version history from iOS 6 through to iPhone OS 1, highlighting key features and changes introduced in each release.

iOS 6 introduced several new features and improvements, particularly in communication and maps, although it was also notable for the controversial switch from Google Maps to Apple Maps.

• Apple Maps. Replaced Google Maps with Apple Maps, offering new features such as turn-by-turn navigation, 3D views, and Flyover mode. However, it was criticized for inaccuracies and lack of detail compared to Google Maps.
• Passbook. Introduced Passbook (later rebranded as Apple Wallet), allowing users to store tickets, boarding passes, and loyalty cards in one place.
• Facebook integration. Added deep integration with Facebook, allowing users to post updates directly from apps, sync contacts, and integrate events into the calendar.
• Do Not Disturb. Introduced Do Not Disturb, which silenced notifications during designated times without turning off the device.
• FaceTime over cellular. Enabled FaceTime video calls over cellular networks, no longer restricting them to Wi-Fi.

Official documentation: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1576

iOS 5 was a significant update that introduced the Notification Center, iMessage, and iCloud, making it one of the most important releases in iOS history.

• Notification Center. Introduced the Notification Center, providing a centralized place for users to view notifications, accessible by swiping down from the top of the screen.
• iMessage. Added iMessage, a new messaging service that allowed users to send messages between iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices over Wi-Fi or cellular data.
• iCloud. Launched iCloud, Apple's cloud storage and syncing service, allowing users to back up data, sync apps, photos, and documents across Apple devices.
• Siri. Introduced Siri, a voice-activated personal assistant that could send messages, set reminders, search the web, and more.
• Twitter integration. Deepened integration with Twitter, allowing users to tweet directly from apps like Safari, Photos, and Camera.

Official documentation: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1452

iOS 4 (initially released as iPhone OS 4 and later rebranded) introduced several new features, including multitasking and a revamped messaging system.

• Multitasking. Added support for multitasking, allowing users to switch between apps without closing them, and enabling background processes like music streaming or GPS tracking.
• Folders. Introduced folders on the home screen, allowing users to organize apps into groups to reduce clutter.
• Retina display support. Introduced support for the Retina display with the launch of the iPhone 4, offering higher pixel density for sharper text and images.
• FaceTime. Introduced FaceTime, allowing users to make video calls over Wi-Fi.
• Game Center. Launched Game Center, Apple's social gaming network, where users could play multiplayer games, track achievements, and compare scores with friends.

Official documentation: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1061

iPhone OS 3 introduced several critical features that improved usability and functionality, such as copy and paste, multimedia messaging, and push notifications.

• Copy and paste. Added the long-awaited ability to copy, cut, and paste text between apps.
• MMS. Introduced multimedia messaging (MMS), allowing users to send photos, videos, and audio clips through text messages.
• Spotlight search. Added Spotlight search, allowing users to search across the entire device, including apps, contacts, and emails.
• Push notifications. Introduced push notifications, enabling apps to send updates to users even when the app wasn't actively running.
• Voice Memos. Added the Voice Memos app, allowing users to record and store voice notes.

Official documentation: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL996

iPhone OS 2 was a major update, as it introduced the App Store, which revolutionized mobile app distribution and brought third-party applications to the iPhone and iPod Touch.

• App Store. Launched the App Store, allowing third-party developers to create and distribute apps, transforming the iPhone into a versatile platform for games, utilities, and productivity tools.
• Exchange support. Added support for Microsoft Exchange, enabling push email, calendar, and contact syncing with corporate servers.
• MobileMe. Introduced MobileMe, a cloud service offering email, contacts, and calendar syncing across devices (later replaced by iCloud).
• GPS support. Added support for GPS in the iPhone 3G, enabling turn-by-turn navigation and location-based apps.
• Scientific calculator. Enhanced the calculator app with a scientific calculator that appeared when the device was rotated into landscape mode.

Official documentation: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL851

iPhone OS 1 was the first version of the operating system that launched alongside the original iPhone. While it was revolutionary at the time, it lacked many features we now consider essential.

• Home screen. Featured the iconic grid of app icons that became synonymous with the iPhone experience, including built-in apps like Phone, Mail, Safari, and iPod.
• Visual Voicemail. Introduced Visual Voicemail, allowing users to view and listen to voicemail messages in any order, rather than sequentially.
• Multi-touch gestures. Introduced multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom, swipe, and tap, setting the standard for mobile touch interfaces.
• Safari. Brought a full-featured web browser (Safari) to mobile devices, allowing users to browse the internet much like they would on a desktop computer.
• Lack of third-party apps. Initially, third-party apps were not allowed, and users could only install web apps that ran within Safari.

Official documentation: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL776

From its inception as iPhone OS to its evolution into iOS, Apple’s mobile operating system has grown tremendously in terms of features, usability, and versatility. Each iteration brought significant improvements, from the introduction of the App Store in iPhone OS 2 to the addition of multitasking in iOS 4 and the rollout of virtual assistants like Siri in iOS 5. As the foundation of the iPhone and iPod Touch, these early versions of iOS helped shape the smartphone landscape as we know it today.

Snippet from Wikipedia: IOS version history

iOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. and was first released as iPhone OS in June 2007, coinciding with the launch of the first generation iPhone. iPhone OS was renamed iOS following the release of the iPad, starting with iOS 4. With iOS 13, Apple began offering a separate operating system, iPadOS, for the iPad. iOS is also the foundation of the newer audioOS and tvOS, and shares some of its code with macOS. New iOS versions are released yearly, alongside new iPhone models. From the launch of the iPhone in 2007 until the launch of iPhone 4 in 2010, this occurred in June or July; since then, new major versions are usually released in September, with the exception of iOS 5, which released in October 2011. Since the launch of the iPhone in June 2007, there have been 18 major releases of iOS, with the current major version being iOS 18, released on September 16, 2024.

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