Apple has officially launched iOS 18, the latest update for its operating system, now available for installation on compatible iPhones. The new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models will come pre-installed with iOS 18, and they are set to hit the market on September 20. However, not all iPhones are eligible for this update, and even those that are compatible may not support all of the new features, particularly Apple Intelligence, a significant component of the release.

Compatibility and Device Limitations
Each year, Apple discontinues iOS updates for older iPhone models. For example, last year, iPhones like the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X were excluded from the iOS 17 update, leaving those users unable to access new features. A similar situation applies this year, as some older iPhones will not be able to upgrade to iOS 18. However, this is not all bad news. Many iPhones that supported iOS 17 will also be able to install iOS 18 without requiring an upgrade to a new device.

Here is a list of iPhones that are compatible with iOS 18:

iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
iPhone XR
iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max
In simple terms, if your iPhone was released in 2017 or later, you should be able to upgrade to iOS 18. If you own an iPhone 8, iPhone X, or an older model, you will not be able to install this update, though your phone will still function without access to the latest features.

Apple Intelligence: A Limited Rollout
Apple Intelligence is one of the most anticipated features of iOS 18, but not every iPhone will have access to it. For now, only the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the new iPhone 16 models are eligible for the Apple Intelligence beta, meaning older devices won’t be able to take advantage of this cutting-edge technology.

The first Apple Intelligence features are expected to arrive in October for U.S. users, with additional localized versions coming in December to countries like Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and South Africa. Language support for Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish is planned for next year. However, the feature will not be available in EU countries due to ongoing regulatory conflicts with European authorities over the Digital Markets Act.