1. iOS 15: The Latest Version
As of August 2021, iOS 15 is the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system. It was released on September 14, 2021, and includes a number of new features that make it stand out from previous versions.
Key Updates
- FaceTime now supports end-to-end encryption, adding an extra layer of security to your video calls.
- Apple Maps has been updated with improved location data, making it easier to find and navigate to places around the world.
- The new App Library feature organizes all of your apps into categories, making it easy to find the app you need quickly.
- iOS 15 also includes a number of performance improvements, including faster app launch times and smoother animations.
2. iOS 14: Still Popular, But Older
While iOS 15 is the latest version, many users are still running older versions of the operating system. As of August 2021, the most popular version of iOS is currently iOS 14. This version was released on September 16, 2020, and includes a number of new features:
- The redesigned Control Center provides quick access to settings and other important controls.
- App Clips let you launch smaller versions of apps directly from the home screen or from other apps.
- Picture-in-Picture (PiP) now supports multiple apps, allowing you to multitask more easily.
3. iOS 13: Still in Use
iOS 13 was released on September 19, 2019, and is still in use by many users today. It includes a number of new features that are designed to improve the overall user experience:
- Dark Mode provides a more visually appealing interface, with dark backgrounds and light text.
- The redesigned Sign In with Apple feature allows you to sign up for apps and services using your Apple ID, without having to create a new account.
- iOS 13 also includes improved privacy features, such as the ability to control which apps can access your location data.
4. Older Versions
There are still many users running older versions of iOS, including iOS 12 and earlier. While these versions may be less feature-rich than newer versions, they are still capable of running most apps without issue. However, it’s important to note that as new versions of iOS are released, older versions will become increasingly outdated and may not receive critical security updates.
Case Study: How Version Matters
As an iOS developer, you know that the version of iOS your app is designed to run on can have a significant impact on user experience. For example, if your app is designed to run on iOS 15 and a user is running an older version of iOS, they may not be able to take advantage of all of the features your app has to offer. In some cases, this could result in a less than optimal user experience, which could ultimately lead to users deleting your app or switching to a competitor’s app.
To illustrate this point, let’s take a look at an example from the world of fitness apps. Suppose you’re developing a new fitness app that takes advantage of some of the features introduced in iOS 15.