iOS is the name given by Apple to the operating system which makes each iPhone, iPod or iPad function the way it does. It was initially developed for the iPhone, the first touch screen device in Apple's current lineup but was incorporated into iPod and iPad devices given that they share a common infrastructure. The initial version of this software was iPhone OS 1 which subsequently morphed into iOS 3 which coincided with the release of the first iPad. Since then, Apple has released a major revision of the software typically paralleling the release of a new device model where the iOS name increases by one number. In between releases, Apple will provide updates to introduce minor features or to address a series of bug fixes. If the update is significant enough, it usually warrants receiving an increment in the form of a decimal. Less minor security fixes may also result in an update but are named with a second decimal denoting an update of lesser significance. Currently, the most recent iOS version is 12.0 (released September 2018). In June 2019, Apple announced that given the substantive differences between their iPad and iPhone hardware, they were going to create a new operating system specifically for the iPad naming it iPadOS. At the same time iOS13 was announced bringing new functionality to iPhone users. With the addition of iPadOS, this page will no longer be updated to reflect changes to the iOS ecosystem as iPhones/iPods are not predominantly used in education settings. Instead, please navigate to the iPadOS page to see how iPads are continually being updated.

iOS regulates the way in which the device runs and provides new functionality to the device. Sometimes, an iOS may be an overhaul of the appearance of the operating system whereas other updates may result in significant features. Note that not all devices are capable of all of the features that may have been introduced within an iOS update. Feature availability is as much a function of the iOS as well as the hardware that it is being used on. For example, Touch ID was introduced when the iPhone 5S was released with iOS 8 pre-loaded on the device. Although older devices were also able to update to iOS 8, it did not automatically grant them the use of Touch ID simply because the hardware needed (fingerprint reader embedded into the Home button) was missing. Less obvious examples include a recent innovative feature called Split View allowing two apps to be running at the same time on the screen. Although iOS9 provides the functionality of this feature, only certain devices can capitalize on this technology (Apple claims that it is due to RAM and screen size limitations). Below, is a list of changes that each major iOS version brought with it (starting with iOS 3).

iOS Timeline

iOS3 (2009)

• introduction of a system wide dialogue box allowing users to cut, copy or paste

• introduction of Spotlight, a search feature designed to locate information across apps

• home screen was exampanded to let users add up to 11 pages (up to 180 apps)

• Messages app received support for MMS

• camera app can now record video

• Voice Memos app allows voice recording

iOS4 (2010)

• folders are introduced for grouping apps

• custom wallpapers are supported but limited to newer devices

• multitasking functionality which allows apps such as internet calling, location and audio playback to run in the background

• Fast App Switching allows apps to be left inactive while switching to other apps

• system-wide spell checking feature

• Game Center app for social gaming and FaceTime for video calling

iOS5 (2011)

• Notification Center is added as a way to manage app notifications

• iCloud synchronizes content and data across devices

• iMessage brings messaging across Apple devices (allows messaging on non phone devices and on iPhones, messaging using WiFi)

• software updates can now be installed wirelessly instead of connecting the device to iTunes

• iPad keyboard can be undocked from the bottom and split into two half-keyboards

• Camera app can be easily accessed from the lock screen. Pressing volume-up button now takes a photo.

• ability to drag addresses in Mail between To, CC and BCC

• Siri is introduced on the iPhone 4S

iOS6 (2012)

• Apple Maps replaces Google Maps as the default mapping app

• a dedicated Podcast app

• Siri was added to more devices and greater language support

• changes to Settings app including Do not Disturb mode, privacy settings, added control to Location services, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders and Photos

• Limit ad tracking control

• Clock app is now available on iPad

iOS7 (2013)

• a completely new look to the user interface

• AirDrop, a wireless file sharing technology between Apple devices is introduced

• CarPlay, provides integration for iPhones to cars

• addition of Control Center

• overhaul of Notification Center

• updates to Siri including Bluetooth control and gender switching

• multitasking is expanded through double tapping the home button

• Spotlight search is now accessed by swiping down from the home screen

• Folders are expanded to hold up to nine apps on a page and 15 pages in total

• users can now enable automatic app updates in the App Store

• square photo mode is available in the Camera app as well as live filters changing a photo's appearance

• Photos app has three categorization options: Photos, Shared and Albums; timeline is sorted into Years, Collections and Moments

• Privacy tab is built into Safari browser

• Accessibility options receive the largest update in iOS history

iOS8 (2014)

• introduction of Continuity - communication between Apple products while using different Apps including Safari, Messages, Phone

• Spotlight suggestions provide more detailed results

• QuickType provides contextual word prediction

• Support for third-party keyboards

• Extensibility provides easier sharing of content between apps

• iCloud photo library allows syncing of photos to the cloud

• iCloud Drive provides storage of files and sharing across devices

• Camera apps get time-lapse and self-timer

• Photos app gains more editing functionality

• Touch ID is enabled for 3rd party apps

iOS9 (2015)

• Notes app was upgraded; added drawing, advanced list formatting

• Maps received transit support

• system upgrades such as proactivity where Siri and advanced search are combined to be more aware of information

• multiple forms of multitasking such as Slide Over, Split Screen and Picture in Picture

• night shift mode that changes light to a warmer shade

• Quick Actions and Peep and Pop take advantage of touch sensitive display technology (3D touch) in the iPhone 6S

• security enhancements such as 6 digit passcode and two-factor authentication

• two finger drag on the keyboard moves the cursor freely like a trackpad

iOS10 (2016)

• changes to 3D Touch and lock screen (double click home button instead of swiping to unlock)

• Control Center has been split into three pages: general settings, audio controls and HomeKit (if used)

• default apps can be "deleted" and re-downloaded

• ability to configure keyboard

• Magnifier setting added to accessibility feature

• new color filters for those with color blindness

• universal clipboard allows users to copy and paste between different Apple devices through iCloud

iOS10 User Guide

iOS11 (2017)

• lock screen and Notification Center are combined

• pages of Control Center are unified with custom settings

• App Store receives visual overhaul

• Files app allows file management on the iPad and iCloud

• Siri can translate languages

• ability to record the screen

• limited drag and drop functionality

• support for augmented reality

• always accessible application dock

• "Offload App" removes app but saves app data

• new keyboarda shortcuts activated by pulling down on keys

• native suport for QR code scanning through camera app

iOS12 (Fall 2018)

• increased speed in using camera and keyboard

• FaceTime support for multiple participants (up to 32) *delayed

• Track screen time use

• increased privacy using Safari

• Voice memos integrates with iCloud

• new iPad gestures (Home screen & Control Center)

• Battery information

• English thesaurus

• New ways to share photos and search photos

• Increased control over notifications

• Create personalized Animjoi

• New support for augmented reality developers

• Siri pairs with third-party apps to suggest shortcuts

• iPad status bar has been redesigned

• Spacebar Trackpad on iPad

iPadOS 13 (Fall 2019)

• new Dark mode

• new photos tools - portrait lighting, rotate videos, more editing filters (vignette, vibrance, auto enhance, noise reduction)

• new camera features - live photos and videos play as you scroll, photo apps automatically organize photos by year

• Find My Phone and Find My Friends integrate into a single app called Find My

• swipeable keyboard (QuickPath typing)

• new Maps tools

• security features

• ability to customize Memoji avatars

• new more natural Siri voice

• better integration with AirPods, HomePod, CarPlay and Safari

iPadOS 14 (Fall 2020)

• app clips

• widgets

• compacted user interface

• improved search functionality

• improved privacy

• Scribble (Apple Pencil) features

• FaceTime eye and sign language recognition

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