Apple’s iPhone runs the iOS operating system, while the iPad runs iOS-based iPadOS. You can find the installed software version and upgrade to the latest iOS version right from your Settings app if Apple still supports your device.
The latest major version is iOS 15 and iPadOS 15
The latest major versions of Apple’s mobile operating systems are iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, which Apple released on September 20, 2021. Apple releases new major versions of iOS and iPadOS approximately once every twelve months .
iOS 15 on iPhone adds the ability to FaceTime with others on Android and Windows, a new Do Not Disturb feature called Focus, the ability to scan, identify objects, and copy text from images, and more. Additional performance improvements have also been added to iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.
How to check if you have the latest version
You can check which version of iOS or iPadOS you have on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch through the Settings app.
To do this, go to Settings> General> About. You will see the version number to the right of the “Version” entry on the About page. In the screenshot below, we have iOS 15.0 installed on our iPhone.
How to update to the latest version
You can upgrade iOS or iPadOS to the latest version available for your device from the Software Update screen. Sometimes your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch may display a notification telling you that a new version of iOS or iPadOS is also available.
To start an update, open the Settings app, then go to General> Software Update. Your device will immediately search for an updated operating system. If an update is available, you can download and install it whenever you want. Just tap the “Download and Install” option at the bottom of the screen to install it.
If no update is available for your device, a “Your software is up to date” message will appear instead.
You can also use iTunes to update an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Why can’t I update to iOS 15?
If your device tells you that your software is up to date, but you’re not yet running iOS 15 or iPadOS 15, you’re probably using an older iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch that Apple no longer supports with updates. of the operating system.
According to Apple, the following devices are compatible with the iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 operating system:
- iPhone: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPad: iPad (9th generation, iPad Mini (6th generation), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation), 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation), 11-inch iPad Pro (1st Generation), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd Generation), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st Generation), 10.5-inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iPad (8th Generation), iPad (7th Generation) , iPad (6th generation), iPad (5th generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad mini 4, iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) and iPad Air 2
- Ipod touch: iPod touch (7th generation)
If you have an older iPhone, iPad, or iPod that is not on this list, iOS 15 will not be offered to you on the software update screen. You can always install the latest version compatible with your device. But, to get iOS 15 or iPadOS 15, you will need a new device.
