iOS 18 rumoured system requirements: will it run on your iPhone?

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Apple is working on its next major software update for the iPhone – iOS 18. As you’d expect, iOS 18 will work best with the latest iPhones, and it’ll come pre-installed on the upcoming iPhone 16. But a whole bunch of older iPhones will also get the free software update – stretching back around five years.

But will your current iPhone get the iOS 18 update? Here’s our guide to the rumoured iOS 18 system requirements.

Read more: Apple iOS 18 free upgrade preview: release date, features, and everything we know so far

Will my iPhone get iOS 18?

Surprisingly, it looks like iOS 18 will run on all of the same devices that can run iOS 17. Apple has done this before, but not for a while. Last year’s iOS 17 update killed compatibility for the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus from 2017, the iPhone X, the original iPhone SE, and the 7th generation iPod touch. This news comes courtesy of a MacRumors contributor, with a track record of accurate iPhone leaks.

The earliest iPhones on the list for compatibility are 2018’s iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, which is fairly impressive considering a lot of Android devices only offer three years of security updates.

But why is Apple opening up iOS 18 to as many devices as possible? It’s thought that the next version of the iPhone’s software is going to pack a number of new AI-powered features, potentially including a revamped Siri. The design is also set to get a major refresh. With so many changes, making this update as broad as possible can only be a good thing – giving users an extra reason to keep their iPhone. And upgrade to the next one, naturally.

Here’s a full list of the devices expected to be compatible with iOS 18:

iPhone 16 series (upcoming)
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15
iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XS
iPhone XR
iPhone SE (2020, 2nd generation)
iPhone SE (2022, 3rd generation)

Expect the new software to debut at Apple’s WWDC 2024 developers conference in June, before it rolls out to everyone in September.

Related: Apple iPhone 16: what upgraded features will appear later this year?

About

Connor is a writer for Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. He has been writing for around seven years now, with writing across the web and in print too. Connor has experience on most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Just like everyone else around here, he’s a fan of gadgets of all sorts! Aside from writing, Connor is involved in the startup scene. This exciting involvement puts him at the front of new and exciting tech, always on the lookout for innovating products.