Yearly, we’re launched to a brand new model of iOS (alongside Apple’s different working programs) on the Worldwide Builders Convention in June. It then marches via 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 exhausting at work on the large iPhone improve for fairly some time and a few rumors have began to leak out. It’s beginning to appear to be iOS 19 will likely be an even bigger change than we’re used to. Based mostly on probably the most dependable leaks and rumors, right here’s what you possibly can anticipate when it arrives later this yr.
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 usually launched the newest model of iOS to the general public on the Monday following the iPhone launch occasion. Listed here are the discharge dates for the newest 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
Based mostly on current 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 alleged to be an enormous change to the consumer interface. We’re speaking in regards to the greatest change since iOS 7, when Apple dropped the skeuomorphic design in favor of flat symbolic icons, modified the lock display, notifications, and extra.
We don’t know what this new interface will appear to be or what interplay adjustments it can convey with it, however the rumors say it’s loosely based mostly on a number of the ideas within the Imaginative and prescient Professional interface. New apps like Apple Invitations and Apple Sports activities might 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.
Siri delays and different Apple Intelligence options
Apple has been having hassle with a few of it’s AI efforts, particularly the Siri options that had been supposed to come back in iOS 18.4 (private context, display consciousness, and in-app actions). These options have been pushed again till subsequent yr, 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, based mostly on giant language fashions (LLMs), that may maintain pure conversations with the consumer, 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 had been imagined to have by now, and Apple can be mentioned to be increasing the usage of Apple Intelligence in additional of its apps. We haven’t heard of particular examples, however Apple Intelligence might 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) relies on the GSMA Common Profile model 2.4, which is slightly dated. Model 2.7 got here out final yr, however hasn’t been carried out by Apple but. It provides assist 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 assist for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages on all it’s platforms “in future software program updates,” so it’s probably so as to add assist for all of the characteristic in RCS 2.7 and three.0 within the iOS 19 cycle.
Dwelling app upgrades
Whereas not particularly talked about in any of the present leaks or rumors, we discover it exhausting to imagine that Apple gained’t have some vital enhancements to the Dwelling app, HomeKit, and associated providers in iOS 19.
Why? Properly, Apple is anticipated to launch a wave of recent sensible house merchandise all through 2025 and 2026. A brand new sensible house hub is first: it’s rumored to be an reasonably priced 7-inch pill that runs a customized working system (code-named Pebble). It should assist Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and tie in with different Apple providers however isn’t anticipated to have an App Retailer.
After that, probably in 2026, Apple is alleged to be engaged on a brand new indoor sensible safety digital camera and a sensible doorbell that might use Face ID to unlock your door the way in which it unlocks your telephone. Additional down the street, a sensible house product with a movable display on a robotic arm has been rumored, all of which would require deep integration with the iPhone and Dwelling app.
The rumored “HomePad” was rumored to launch within the spring of 2025, however was delayed to the autumn so it could actually have an interface that aligns with the large iOS 19 / macOS 15 interface adjustments. It’s exhausting to think about Apple pushing a product like that into the market with out some vital adjustments to the feel and appear of the Dwelling app.
Up to date Digital camera app
Jon Prosser claims to have seen the Digital camera app in iOS 19, which is totally redesigned with a considerably visionOS-inspired design. Choices are condensed, the viewfinder takes up more room, and there’s a lot of transparency.
AirPods stay translation
One rumor from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says iOS 19 goes to get “bolstered translation know-how” 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 assist the characteristic.
Your AirPods would ship textual content to your iPhone the place the overseas language can 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 will probably be attention-grabbing 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 anticipated 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, usually eight or so in complete, earlier than the software program releases in September. We anticipate the identical schedule this yr with iOS 19. You will get prepared for the beta by signing up for the iOS beta program now.
iOS 19: Compatibility
We anticipate iOS 19 to be suitable 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 assist 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 out there on older fashions, as they lack the {hardware} assets for it. We do assume the Apple Intelligence and Siri enhancements will likely be out there for all iPhone 16 and later fashions, although.
