There’s bad news for those with an iPhone released in 2014 or earlier: it’s not possible to install iOS 13 on these handsets. The same goes for iPad models from 4 years ago; they can’t be upgraded to the new iPadOS.
Still, all Apple’s phones and tablets released in the last 4 years are getting upgrades.
WWDC brings new operating systems to most devices
Apple unveiled both these new operating systems during today’s WWDC 2019 keynote. iOS 13 brings Dark Mode, as well as significant improvements to the Maps app, a revamped Photos app and more. iPadOS allows iPad applications to open multiple windows, plus there’s a home screen redesign, huge improvements to the Files app and more.
What didn’t get so much attention from Tim Cook and co. is the older devices that have been judged obsolete enough that they won‘t get access to these new system software versions.
Devices left out in the cold include the iPhone 6 and original iPad Air. The handset came out in 2014 and the tablet in 2013, so it’s hard to argue Apple pushed them out the door prematurely. Naturally, any model introduced before these also can’t upgrade, like the iPhone 5S. The iPad mini 3 also came out in 2014, and it didn’t make the cut either.
Apple never explains exactly why products don’t get OS upgrades, but these are almost always very old devices with relatively slow processors. The iPhone 6 has just a 1.4 GHz dual-core chip, for example. For comparison, last year’s iPhone XS sports a 2.49 GHz hexacore processor.
iPhone models that support iOS 13
According to Apple, the following handsets can all be upgraded to iOS 13 when it becomes available later this year:
- 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
- iPod touch (7th generation)
iPad models that support iPadOS 13
All the tablets Apple released in the past few years can be upgraded to operating system just announced today. This is heavily based on iOS 13, so Apple is calling this version iPadOS 13.
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro
- 11-inch iPad Pro
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- iPad (6th generation)
- iPad (5th generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad mini 4
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad Air 2
