When to Expect iOS 18 on Your iPhone as Beta Testing Wraps Up - MacRumors
Skip to Content

When to Expect iOS 18 on Your iPhone as Beta Testing Wraps Up

iOS 18 has been in beta testing for nearly three months, and the software update should finally be widely released later this month.

Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock
Below, we outline when to expect iOS 18 to be available on all compatible iPhones.

iOS 18: Beta Testing Wraps Up

In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said iOS 18 beta 8 will likely be the final developer beta version for the update. This is a reasonable prediction, as previous updates like iOS 17, iOS 16, and iOS 15 each had a total of eight developer betas. iOS 12 was the last update with at least nine developer betas.

If history repeats itself, Apple should release the iOS 18 Release Candidate immediately following the iPhone 16 event on September 9. Apple considers a Release Candidate to be a "near final" version of an upcoming iOS update.

iOS 18: Release Timing

Apple will likely announce a release date for iOS 18 during its September 9 event. The update is most likely to be released on Monday, September 16, but Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18 are also possibilities.

Gurman said Apple has already been installing iOS 18 on iPhone 16 models at factories. Those devices will likely be released on Friday, September 20.

iOS 18: Compatible iPhones

iOS 18 is compatible with the same iPhone models as iOS 17 is:

  • iPhone 15
  • iPhone 15 Plus
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14
  • iPhone 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

iOS 18 will be available in the Settings app under General → Software Update.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

Apple TV 4K HomeView HomePod Mini tweaked

New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked

Sunday October 11, 2026 12:56 pm PDT by
Just two days before Apple's "Welcome home" experience in New York, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has leaked several details about the new products set to be unveiled, including an all-new smart home hub, a HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K. Here is an all-in-one summary of the details shared by Gurman:Apple's home hub with a touch-enabled display will be named HomeView, seemingly confirming a ...
Apple HomeView lineup feature1

Apple Announces 'HomeView' Smart Home Hub

Tuesday October 13, 2026 6:00 am PDT by
Apple today announced the "HomeView," an all-new kind of smart home hub featuring a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and Siri AI. Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak said: Apple HomeView is designed to be shared by everyone in the home yet feel completely personal to each user. It recognizes your face to shift from a household screen to your own experience,...
Apple TV 4K 4th Generation feature4

New Apple TV 4K Announced With A19 Chip, Updated Siri Remote, More

Tuesday October 13, 2026 6:08 am PDT by
Apple today announced the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, with key features including an A19 chip, Siri AI support, an updated Siri Remote that has Find My support with Precision Finding, built in far-field microphones, support for surround sound with four HomePods in front and rear pairs, and more. The A19 chip in the new Apple TV 4K delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance and up to twice...

Top Rated Comments

zarmanto Avatar
28 months ago

iOS 18 public beta isn't ready for anyone to use daily. ...
That hasn't been my experience. I've been using Apple's public betas for many years (I'm not quite adventurous enough to run the more buggy developer betas, these days) so I've likewise been running the public iOS 18 beta more recently. Personal opinion: It seems to me that this has been one of the least buggy iOS public beta releases, to date.

Of course, you and I likely use a completely different combination of apps, so the old "YMMV" disclaimer obviously applies.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
al256 Avatar
28 months ago

That hasn't been my experience. I've been using Apple's public betas for many years (I'm not quite adventurous enough to run the more buggy developer betas, these days) so I've likewise been running the public iOS 18 beta more recently. Personal opinion: It seems to me that this has been one of the least buggy iOS public beta releases, to date.

Of course, you and I likely use a completely different combination of apps, so the old "YMMV" disclaimer obviously applies.
Same. iOS 18 has more polish than my previous experiences.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
28 months ago
iOS 18 public beta isn't ready for anyone to use daily. Tons of app crashes and general unstable behavior.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kerr Avatar
28 months ago
When to expect iOS 17.6.2?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zarmanto Avatar
28 months ago

Probably a dumb question, but if we are on the beta, how do we transition to the final release version?
Not a dumb question at all: if memory serves, when you receive the final "release candidate" version during the usual update cycle, you'll effectively be on the same version that everyone else will be receiving as the "final" release, with no further action required on your part. That last release candidate typically arrives at least a week or three before the final release becomes generally available.

What's perhaps more important is that I believe your agreement to participate in the beta program basically concludes with that release; if you want to participate in the iOS 19 betas when they start to become available, you'll have to specifically select that release option in the automatic update settings, just as you did for the iOS 18 betas.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
28 months ago

iOS 18 public beta isn't ready for anyone to use daily. Tons of app crashes and general unstable behavior.
In my daily use iPad as desktop (stage manager and external monitor) it feels more stable than 17

So I want to say that I was surprised how stable this beta was, because 16 and 17 were nightmare no matter stable it or beta
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
OpenAI Says Ex-Employee Showed Its Device Plans to Apple
OpenAI Says Ex-Employee Showed Its Device Plans to Apple
7 minutes ago
Discover the Best Cases and Screen Protectors for Your New iPhone Duo
Discover the Best Cases and Screen Protectors for Your New iPhone Duo
30 minutes ago
Apple Store Near Los Angeles Closed Due to 'Events Beyond Our Control'
Apple Store Near Los Angeles Closed Due to 'Events Beyond Our Control'
2 hours ago
No, HomePod Mini 1 Won't Support Siri AI as CNET Reported
No, HomePod Mini 1 Won't Support Siri AI as CNET Reported
2 hours ago
iPhone Duo Compromises: Everything You Have to Give Up
iPhone Duo Compromises: Everything You Have to Give Up
3 hours ago
Apple HomeView Has These 15 Apps, Some CarPlay Apps and Widgets Also Supported
Apple HomeView Has These 15 Apps, Some CarPlay Apps and Widgets Also Supported
3 hours ago
iPhone Duo: Apple Charging $49 for New Cover Layer, $229 for Battery
iPhone Duo: Apple Charging $49 for New Cover Layer, $229 for Battery
4 hours ago
iPhone Duo: Skipping AppleCare+ Could Be $1,499 Mistake
iPhone Duo: Skipping AppleCare+ Could Be $1,499 Mistake
4 hours ago
Ready for HomeView? Don't Miss These Smart Home Accessory Deals
Ready for HomeView? Don't Miss These Smart Home Accessory Deals
5 hours ago
Apple Says HomePod 2 Also Works as Default Speaker With Select Macs
Apple Says HomePod 2 Also Works as Default Speaker With Select Macs
5 hours ago
HomePod Mini 2: All the New Features
HomePod Mini 2: All the New Features
5 hours ago
WhatsApp Now Lets Anyone Join Calls, No Account Needed
WhatsApp Now Lets Anyone Join Calls, No Account Needed
5 hours ago
AppleCare+ Launched 15 Years Ago Today
AppleCare+ Launched 15 Years Ago Today
5 hours ago
Apple Reportedly Planning Large iPhone 18 Production Run
Apple Reportedly Planning Large iPhone 18 Production Run
5 hours ago
Apple Says These Products Are Now Obsolete
Apple Says These Products Are Now Obsolete
6 hours ago
First Pre-Order Discounts Now Available for HomeView
First Pre-Order Discounts Now Available for HomeView
15 minutes ago
Apple Launched iPhone 4S With Siri 15 Years Ago Today
Apple Launched iPhone 4S With Siri 15 Years Ago Today
7 hours ago
Apple HomeView Includes Temperature and Humidity Sensors
Apple HomeView Includes Temperature and Humidity Sensors
7 hours ago
HomePod Mini vs. HomePod Mini 2 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
HomePod Mini vs. HomePod Mini 2 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
7 hours ago
Apple Watch Sleep Apnea Notifications Launch in China
Apple Watch Sleep Apnea Notifications Launch in China
8 hours ago
HomeView's Faces Include Snoopy, Photos, and Interactive Artwork
HomeView's Faces Include Snoopy, Photos, and Interactive Artwork
8 hours ago
Apple's HomeView Repair Fees Revealed
Apple's HomeView Repair Fees Revealed
18 hours ago
Everything Apple Still Has Coming in October
Everything Apple Still Has Coming in October
19 hours ago
Welcome Home: Everything Apple Announced on October 13
Welcome Home: Everything Apple Announced on October 13
21 hours ago
Will the Full-Sized HomePod Get Siri AI? Apple's Website Offers a Clue
Will the Full-Sized HomePod Get Siri AI? Apple's Website Offers a Clue
21 hours ago
Apple Releases Third Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
Apple Releases Third Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
21 hours ago
iOS 27.2 Adds New Apple Music Icon
iOS 27.2 Adds New Apple Music Icon
21 hours ago
HomePod Mini 2 Works as Default Speaker With Select Macs
HomePod Mini 2 Works as Default Speaker With Select Macs
22 hours ago
Elevation Lab Pulls AirTag Silencer After Stalking Concerns
Elevation Lab Pulls AirTag Silencer After Stalking Concerns
22 hours ago
iOS 27.2 Beta 4 Removes New Health App
iOS 27.2 Beta 4 Removes New Health App
23 hours ago