Yearly, we’re launched to a brand new model of iOS (alongside Apple’s different working techniques) on the Worldwide Builders Convention in June. It then marches by an prolonged beta-testing interval earlier than being launched in September.
However all the brand new options don’t include that preliminary launch; many are deliberate to coming in updates 9 (iOS 19.1, 19.2, and so forth) within the months following the large preliminary launch.
Whereas Apple hasn’t formally introduced iOS 19, it has been arduous at work on the large iPhone improve for fairly some time and a few rumors have began to leak out. It’s beginning to seem like iOS 19 might be a much bigger change than we’re used to. Primarily based on essentially the most dependable leaks and rumors, right here’s what you’ll be able to anticipate when it arrives later this 12 months.
Up to date March 17, 2025: We now have a greater image of what to anticipate from iOS 19, and this information has been up to date all through.
iOS 19: Launch date
Apple sometimes launched the newest model of iOS to the general public on the Monday following the iPhone launch occasion. Listed below are the discharge dates for the latest variations of iOS:
- iOS 18: Monday, September 16, 2024
- iOS 17: Monday, September 18, 2023
- iOS 16: Monday, September 12, 2022
- iOS 15: Monday, September 20, 2021
Primarily based on latest historical past, we anticipate iOS 19 to launch to the general public on both Monday, September 15, or Monday, September 22.
iOS 19: New options
Main design overhaul
The headline characteristic of iOS 19 (and iPadOS 19, macOS 15, tvOS 19, watchOS 19…) is claimed to be an enormous change to the person interface. We’re speaking in regards to the largest change since iOS 7, when Apple dropped the skeuomorphic design in favor of flat symbolic icons, modified the lock display screen, notifications, and extra.
We don’t know what this new interface will seem like or what interplay modifications it can carry with it, however the rumors say it’s loosely primarily based on a few of the ideas within the Imaginative and prescient Professional interface. New apps like Apple Invitations and Apple Sports activities could give us some clues to the interface conventions we will anticipate, as they don’t have have interfaces that slot in with most of Apple’s older apps.
Apple
Siri delays and different Apple Intelligence options
Apple has been having bother with a few of it’s AI efforts, particularly the Siri options that have been supposed to come back in iOS 18.4 (private context, display screen consciousness, and in-app actions). These options have been pushed again till subsequent 12 months, which implies they need to come as an replace to iOS 19 in early 2026. However there’s even some doubt that may occur.
A much bigger Siri replace, primarily based on giant language fashions (LLMs), that may maintain pure conversations with the person, is now anticipated to come back maybe as a part of iOS 20, the place it was as soon as regarded as an replace to iOS 19.
So Siri will get new capabilities that we have been alleged to have by now, and Apple can also be stated to be increasing the usage of Apple Intelligence in additional of its apps. We haven’t heard of particular examples, however Apple Intelligence may very well be used for issues like Apple Music playlist technology, suggesting apps within the App Retailer, or within the Well being and Health apps.
RCS 3.0
Apple’s present implantation of RCS (Wealthy Communication Providers, used to supply extra superior texting options with Android customers) is predicated on the GSMA Common Profile model 2.4, which is a bit dated. Model 2.7 got here out final 12 months, however hasn’t been applied by Apple but. It provides help for customized emoji reactions, modifying modifying and deleting messages, and improved spam dealing with. RCS 3.0 provides encryption for 1-to-1 messages.
Apple has introduced help for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages on all it’s platforms “in future software program updates,” so it’s seemingly so as to add help for all of the characteristic in RCS 2.7 and three.0 within the iOS 19 cycle.
Residence app upgrades
Whereas not particularly talked about in any of the present leaks or rumors, we discover it arduous to imagine that Apple gained’t have some important enhancements to the Residence app, HomeKit, and associated companies in iOS 19.
Why? Effectively, Apple is predicted to launch a wave of recent sensible residence merchandise all through 2025 and 2026. A brand new sensible residence hub is first: it’s rumored to be an inexpensive 7-inch pill that runs a customized working system (code-named Pebble). It would help Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and tie in with different Apple companies however isn’t anticipated to have an App Retailer.
After that, seemingly in 2026, Apple is claimed to be engaged on a brand new indoor sensible safety digicam and a sensible doorbell that will use Face ID to unlock your door the best way it unlocks your telephone. Additional down the street, a sensible residence product with a movable display screen on a robotic arm has been rumored, all of which would require deep integration with the iPhone and Residence app.
The rumored “HomePad” was rumored to launch within the spring of 2025, however was delayed to the autumn so it will probably have an interface that aligns with the large iOS 19 / macOS 15 interface modifications. It’s arduous to think about Apple pushing a product like that into the market with out some important modifications to the appear and feel of the Residence app.
Up to date Digicam app
Jon Prosser claims to have seen the Digicam app in iOS 19, which is totally redesigned with a considerably visionOS-inspired design. Choices are condensed, the viewfinder takes up extra space, and there’s numerous transparency.
AirPods stay translation
One rumor from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says iOS 19 goes to get “bolstered translation expertise” and, as a part of it a stay translation characteristic for AirPods. The AirPods will want a firmware replace as nicely, and it’s not clear which fashions will help the characteristic.
Your AirPods would ship textual content to your iPhone the place the international language could be acknowledged and translated within the Translate app (or the under-the-hood service that powers it), and translated audio despatched again to your AirPods. Different earbuds have had comparable options for years, so it will likely be fascinating to see if Apple goes additional or has superior performance.
iOS 19: Beta
Yearly, the brand new iOS is introduced at WWDC with a beta check for builders launched instantly (or at most, a day later). It usually takes 4-6 weeks for the primary public beta to be launched, coinciding with the second or third construct for builders. Apple releases the developer beta instantly after the WWDC keynote, which is predicted to be on Monday, June 9.
- iOS 18: Monday, June 10, 2024
- iOS 17: Monday, June 5, 2023
- iOS 16: Monday, June 6, 2022
- iOS 15: Monday, June 7, 2021
What follows is a string of beta releases, sometimes eight or so in complete, earlier than the software program releases in September. We anticipate the identical schedule this 12 months with iOS 19. You may get prepared for the beta by signing up for the iOS beta program now.
iOS 19: Compatibility
We anticipate iOS 19 to be appropriate with each iPhone that helps iOS 18. That features:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Professional
- iPhone 16 Professional Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Professional
- iPhone 15 Professional Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Professional
- iPhone 14 Professional Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Professional
- iPhone 13 Professional Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Professional
- iPhone 12 Professional Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Professional
- iPhone 11 Professional Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd technology)
After all, it can additionally help the brand new iPhone 17 fashions that may launch across the identical time, and the brand new iPhone 16e.
As at all times, some options gained’t be accessible on older fashions, as they lack the {hardware} assets for it. We do assume the Apple Intelligence and Siri enhancements might be accessible for all iPhone 16 and later fashions, although.
