iOS 12 will bring new features to your old iPhone on September 17

Just because you don't want to buy a new iPhone doesn't mean you don't deserve shiny new features. The latest version of Apple's mobile operating system - iOS 12 - will be available from September 17 as over the air download for most existing iPhone and iPad models.

Announced earlier this year, iOS 12 will bring new features including digital wellbeing tools, notification grouping, group FaceTime and more to existing iPhones and iPads. In addition, Apple says performance improvements are at the heart of iOS 12, especially when it comes to older devices. The company says that apps will launch 40% faster, the keyboard will come up 50% faster, and the camera will be 70% faster on older iOS devices thanks to the software.

While each new version of iOS typically sees Apple axe support for at least one iPhone or iPad, any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 11 will be able to upgrade to iOS 12. This means iPhones as old as the iPhone 5s will see Apple's latest mobile operating system. The new iPhone XS and iPhone XR will both ship with iOS 12 out of the box. 

All iPad Pro and iPad Air models will get the update when it comes to Apple's tablets. The standard "iPad" will be upgraded to iOS 12, as will the iPad mini 2 and up. Only the sixth generation iPod touch will be upgraded to iOS 12.

Apple will also roll out watchOS 5 to Apple Watch owners on September 17.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

Read full bio