In September of the previous year, Apple unveiled iOS 18 alongside the iPhone 16. Despite this significant release, the specific uptake rates for the new operating system had remained undisclosed—until now. Apple has finally provided insights into the adoption rates of iOS 18 among users.
Current Adoption Rates of iOS 18
iOS 18 has proven to be a substantial update, introducing Apple’s innovative AI capabilities to the platform. As of January 21, 2025, Apple reported that iOS 18 is now running on 68 percent of compatible iPhones and 76 percent of iPhones launched within the last four years. Interestingly, 19 percent of users are still operating on iOS 17, while 5 percent are using even older versions. This slower-than-anticipated adoption rate contradicts expectations that users would quickly migrate to iOS 18, propelled by its advanced AI features.
Comparative Analysis with Previous Versions
When examining the adoption rates of earlier iOS versions, iOS 17 reached 76 percent among devices within the same timeframe last year. In comparison, iOS 16 achieved an even higher rate of 81 percent. These figures indicate that while user engagement with iOS updates generally remains high, the growth in adoption rates has plateaued for this iteration.
Understanding the Metrics
The data shared by Apple comes from the company’s Developer website and reflects devices that have engaged with the App Store. This provides a clear metric for gauging software adoption among users.
Updates on iPadOS 18
Turning to iPadOS 18, 63 percent of iPads released in the last four years are running this latest version. Notably, 27 percent of these devices are still on iPadOS 17, while 10 percent are using older operating systems. Compared to this point last year, iPadOS 17 had a slightly lower adoption rate of 61 percent, indicating a marginal improvement for iPadOS 18.
Compatibility and Device Support
Apple has ensured that iOS 18 is compatible with a broad spectrum of devices. Any device supporting iOS 17, including the iPhone XS from 2018, can upgrade to iOS 18. This robust support means many users may opt to stick with their older models, as they can access most new features without needing to purchase the latest iPhone.
The Exclusivity of Apple Intelligence
Notably, Apple’s cutting-edge AI features, referred to as Apple Intelligence, are only available on the latest models starting with the iPhone 15 Pro. However, the company is expanding support for this advanced technology to include its upcoming budget model, the iPhone SE 4, expected to be announced shortly.
For continuous updates on these developments, stay tuned for further details.
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