iOS 19 could work with the same iPhones as iOS 18

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Apple might not drop support for any of its older iPhones with iOS 19. The next big iOS update reportedly will support the same devices as iOS 18.

However, iPadOS 19 supposedly will not be compatible with the seventh-gen iPad.

iOS 19 could work with iPhone XS and iPhone XR

Although iOS 18 introduced Apple Intelligence and many other major changes, the iPhone operating system remained compatible with all iOS 17-supported devices. That’s good news for people hoping to eke an extra year or two out of an aging iPhone.

Apple seemingly plans to follow the same strategy with iOS 19 next year. An iPhoneSoft report says all iPhones currently running iOS 18 will receive the update. This means Apple’s next big iOS release — due to launch in September 2025 — will work with the iPhone XS and iPhone XR, which came out in 2018.

Note that even if iOS 19 lands on older iPhones, they may not gain access to all the new features. Some features, especially those leveraging Apple Intelligence, might remain exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models.

iOS 19 Compatibility Rumor

According to a report, iOS 19 will support all iPhones compatible with iOS 18, meaning no models will lose support for a second consecutive year.

This includes iPhones dating back to the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR (2018), although some features may be… pic.twitter.com/Y5sZc9f4Mu

— Apple Club (@applesclubs) December 23, 2024

iPadOS 19 might drop support for older iPads

With iPadOS 18, Apple stopped supporting the A10X-powered iPad Pro and the sixth-generation iPad. Surprisingly, the company retained compatibility for 2019’s seventh-generation iPad despite it using an A10 chip. But with 2025’s iPadOS 19 update, Apple reportedly will drop support for the model.

The change would mean that iPadOS 19 will only work with iPads using an A12 or newer chip. Again, like on iPhones, older iPads will not gain access to all the new iPadOS 19 features, especially those related to Apple Intelligence. Those remain exclusive to iPads with Apple’s M1 chip or later and the 2024 iPad mini powered by the A17 Pro.

Based on its usual timeline, Apple should showcase all the iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 features at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference next June. Following a few months of beta testing, the operating systems should launch for the public alongside new iPhones in September.

As of now, rumors suggest Apple could delay some big iOS 19 features until spring 2026. Apparently, iOS 18’s delayed feature rollout is impacting iOS 19’s development.