Stuck in the Past? This Many iPhone Users Haven’t Upgraded to iOS 18
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Apple officially released iOS 18 to the public in September of last year, a few days before it pre-orders for the iPhone 16 opened. iOS 18 was one of Apple’s most significant iOS updates ever, including tons of new features, customization options, and of course, Apple’s foray into generative AI, Apple Intelligence.
Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC25) kicks off on Monday. We expect to learn more about Apple’s next major iPhone software update, iOS 26 (which should be released to the public in September) at the event.
Yesterday, Apple also released updated stats about users transacting on the App Store and their iOS and iPadOS usage. Shockingly, 12% of iPhones introduced in the last 4 years still haven’t updated to iOS 18 (19% of iPads also haven’t made the leap to iPadOS 18)!
Are you in this group? If so, we encourage you to make the switch now for many reasons.
Perhaps the biggest reason to update is for security purposes. In addition to regular security fixes patching vulnerabilities commonly exploited by sophisticated hackers, iOS 18 includes stronger privacy and security features many users could benefit from. The ability to lock and hide apps, hide app names, send Messages via satellite when out of cellular and Wi-Fi range, and record calls are some examples.
In addition to security updates, iOS 18 releases include bug fixes within Apple’s software that improve the smoothness of the overall user experience. These include better video and audio playback, improved Bluetooth connectivity, the ability to set a charging limit, and automatic voice isolation when you’re on the phone in a loud environment. If you’re not using iOS 18, you could gradually lose compatibility with some apps. Generally, using the latest iOS version will extend the useful life of your iPhone.
Finally, Apple introduced several groundbreaking accessibility features in iOS 18. These include Vocal Shortcuts, Music Haptics, Vehicle Motion cues, and Eye Tracking. There are even more breakthrough accessibility features on the way in the upcoming iOS release, so don’t fall too far behind the curve!
Next week’s WWDC25 should serve as a reminder for those 12% still not using iOS 18 on a compatible device to finally go for it. Otherwise, you’re definitely not getting your money’s worth. At this point, why hold back?
