What you need to know
- iOS 18 supports a wide range of iPhones, extending support to even the iPhone SE 2.
- iPadOS 18 ends support for older models like 6th gen iPad but adds compatibility for newer devices like M4 iPad Pro.
- macOS Sequoia discontinues support for 2018/2019 MacBook Air and introduces compatibility with newer models like M3 Macs.
Apple
Apple’s new iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates are mostly good news for users of older Apple devices—with the exception of a handful of iPads, the new updates will run on most of the same hardware that can run iOS 17 and iPadOS 17.
For iPhones, that will cover everything from the iPhone XR/XS and newer, including the 2nd-gen iPhone SE; the 7th-gen iPad and newer; the 3rd-gen iPad Air and newer; the 5th-gen iPad mini and newer; all 11-inch iPad Pros; and the 3rd-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro and later.
watchOS 11 drops support for the Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, and first-generation Apple Watch SE, according to Apple’s website.
The update is compatible with all other models, including the Apple Watch Series 6 and beyond.
Apple didn’t change the hardware requirements from Sonoma to Sequoia for the MacBook Pro. Every MacBook Pro model that’s running Sonoma will be able to run Sequoia — going back to the Intel-based MacBook Pro models from 2018.
The story is different, however, for MacBook Air owners. You’ll need an Air from 2020 or later. That means the only Intel-based Air compatible with Sequoia is the final Intel model released in the spring of 2020 before the first M1 Air arrived in November 2020.
Here are the full support lists:
Supported devices: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia and Apple Watch
These iPhones will support iOS 18
With iOS 18, you’re good to go. Apple didn’t remove any devices from the list this time around. Here’s the full list:
- iPhone Xs and XS Max
- iPhone Xr
- iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone SE (2022)
- iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPadOS 18 is coming to these iPads
The iPad drops support for most models with an Apple A10 or A10X processor, including the sixth-generation iPad, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, and the second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Here’s the full list:
- iPad mini 5 and mini 6
- iPad Air 3 or newer
- iPad (7th generation or later)
- iPad Pro (Third-generation/A12X Bionic and later models)
watchOS 11 will work with these Apple Watch models
Apple is dropping support for three Watches with watchOS 11, including the Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, and Apple Watch SE. Here’s the full list:
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch SE (2nd gen)
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
macOS Sequoia-compatible Macs
For macOS Sequoia, Apple is dropping support for 2018 and 2019 models of the MacBook Air. Here’s the full list:
- iMac (2019 or later)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (2019 or later)
- MacBook Air (2020 or later)
- MacBook Pro (2018 or later)
- Mac mini (2018 or later)
- Mac Studio (2022 and later)
As always, Apple notes that not all features are available on all devices. The older your device is, the fewer features you’ll get. Most notably, however, is that Apple Intelligence features are only available on iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max, and M-series iPads and Macs.
More on iOS 18:
- How to schedule messages to Send Later in iOS 18
- 10 Best iOS 18 Hidden Features You Should Try Right Now
- iOS 18 eye tracking: How to navigate iPhone with just your eyes
- 10 Cool iOS 18 features to check out and customize
- iOS 18 – How To CUSTOMIZE The New Home Screen
- iOS 18: How to Swap Out Lock Screen Camera and Flashlight Buttons