Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Best Picks Entertainment Technology Magazines Why subscribe? The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews Try a single issue or save on a subscription Issues delivered straight to your door or device From$12.99View MacBook Air M4 iPad Air M3 Nintendo Switch 2 Best mattress Wordle Today iOS 19 — all the rumors so far By Philip Michaels published 11 March 2025 Apple's next iPhone software update sounds like a big deal When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Future) Rumored release date Supported devices Rumored changes Apple Intelligence in iOS 19 iOS 19 won't arrive for a few more months from now, and even then, it will only be in preview form ahead of a full launch in the fall. But Apple's next major update to its iPhone software is already causing a stir, as big changes appear to be in the works. Recent software updates, like the current iOS 18 version, have certainly rolled out significant additions and improvements to the iPhone. But they've been pretty modest in scope, looking more to build on what was already available rather than revamp the look and feel of the operating system. That's apparently changing with iOS 19. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, in a report on iOS 19 citing people close to the project, says this year's iPhone software update figures to be "one of the most dramatic software overhauls in [Apple's] history." You may like iOS 19 may bring Apple Intelligence powers to more iPhone apps — but without any big new features iOS 18: The biggest new features available on your iPhone There's no details specifically on what's changing with iOS 19. But based on reports from Gurman and other claims about iOS 19, we're getting a clearer picture of what Apple may be planning. Read on for a closer look at what we know about iOS 19 so far. iOS 19: Rumored release date (Image credit: Apple) As with other unannounced products, Apple hasn't uttered an official peep about iOS 19. However, the company's track record of software updates gives us a pretty good road map for guessing when the new operating system will be ready for your iPhone. Apple typically previews its planned software releases for the year at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), an annual get-together for app makers that usually takes place in June. After previewing software for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and other products, Apple then releases developer betas for those updates. A few weeks later, public betas become available. Assuming Apple holds WWDC 2025 in early June, you'd expect an iOS 19 public beta to arrive by the end of the month or in early July at the latest. Apple would then would spend the summer updating that software based on feedback from beta testers. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. The full version of an iOS update usually appears just ahead of Apple's fall iPhone launch, which tends to take place in September. At any rate, we'd expect iOS 19 to be ready to install just ahead of this year's expected iPhone 17 launch. iOS 19: Supported devices The iPhone XR (left) and iPhone 13 (right) are both expected to run iOS 19. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) A new iOS version sometimes means the end of support for older iPhones. That happened with iOS 18, which cut off support for devices released in 2017 like the iPhone X and iPhone 8 models. However, at least one report from a French website contends that the same phones capable of running iOS 18 will be compatible with iOS 19. That would mean every iPhone from the iPhone XR and iPhone XS/XS Max onward, including any devices Apple releases in the fall. To put it another way, iPhones released in 2018 would still be able to run Apple's latest software update well into 2026, if this report is accurate. iPad owners apparently won't be as fortunate. iPadOS 19, which would offer many of the same changes as iOS 19, is tipped to drop support for the iPad 7 and the iPad Pro 2017. Even with support stretching back all the way to the iPhone XR, older phones may not be able to run all of the new features in iOS 19. That's typically of past iOS updates, with some features requiring specific chipsets in order to work. iOS 19: Rumored changes iOS 19 could have a very different look from iOS 18 (shown here). (Image credit: Future) Based on Gurman's reporting, the most significant changes coming with iOS 19 involves the software interface. The changes will apparently introduce new looks for icons, menus, apps, windows and even buttons found in the operating system. One of the guiding ideas is apparently to make the iPhone easier to navigate. But the changes also seem to be motivated by a desire within Apple to offer a more unified experience across its different products. To that end, the interface and design changes reportedly draw on visionOS, the software powering Apple's Vision Pro headset, for inspiration. We have some idea of what this might look like thanks to Front Page Tech's John Prosser, who showed off a potential redesign of the iPhone's Camera app. In this redesign, the app features translucent menus for camera controls to leave more room for the view finder. You'd toggle between camera and video options, with each one bringing up different settings for things like aspect ratio, styles, exposure and so forth. (Image credit: Front Page Tech / YouTube) Whether the changes described there happen to the Camera app or other parts of the iOS, it's clear Apple is planning a pretty significant overhaul. Gurman says iOS 19 will mark the most significant revamp to the iPhone's software since iOS 7's debut a dozen years ago. At this stage, it's unclear what that might mean for apps, whether it's new additions to the iPhone or new features for existing apps as part of the iOS 19 update. A report from last year claimed that Apple was postponing many iOS 19 features until later on. iOS 19 and Apple Intelligence (Image credit: Shutterstock) As Apple readies iOS 19 for a public preview, it's still in the process of rolling out Apple Intelligence features promised as part of the iOS 18 release. Some of those features are a part of the iOS 18.4 update, which is currently available as a beta ahead of a likely release in April. But some significant AI capabilities involving the Siri digital assistant are not among those coming changes. Apple is looking to infuse more intelligence into Siri, with plans to have the assistant better understand your personal context so that it could take more personalized actions. Siri is also supposed to add support in-app actions. However, Apple now says the Siri 2.0 launch has been delayed, with some changes apparently not coming until 2026. Context awareness appears to be in the plans for iOS 19, with Apple reportedly including its new LLM Siri in the forthcoming software update. That said, LLM Siri may not be part of the initial launch, with that featuring arriving in a subsequent iOS 19 update similar to how other Apple Intelligence features didn't arrive until after iOS 18's initial launch. We could be in for an even longer wait for a more conversational Siri. That feature's now being tipped for iOS 20. For what it's worth, Apple Intelligence does figure to play a significant role in iOS 19. Another Gurman report claims that more apps in the sotware update will take advantage of Apple Intelligence's smarts. iOS 19 outlook (Image credit: Front Page Tech / YouTube) Even with a lot of details still to come, iOS 19 sounds like it will be a big change from recent software updates, with Apple devoting a lot of focus on what its iPhone software looks like and how you'll interact with it. We'll see if the changes stop there or if iOS 19 brings additional updates to existing apps. And Apple Intelligence figures to be a major focus as Apple looks to make up lost ground in getting AI onto its devices. It's a tall order for any company, so expect more details about Apple's plans to emerge ahead of the iOS 19 preview later this summer. More from Tom's Guide Best iPhones iOS 18.4 adds a crucial Apple Intelligence feature to the iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 17: What we know so far Back to Mobile Cell Phones Storage Size Refurbished Showing 10 of 204 deals Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB White) $1,379View Apple iPhone 16 (128GB Pink) $23.06View Apple iPhone 16 Pro $1,499.99View Apple iPhone 16 Pro Apple iPhone 16 Pro Apple iPhone 16 Pro (256GB White) $1,099View Apple iPhone 15 Apple iPhone 16 Plus (128GB Black) $1,109View Apple iPhone 15 $729.99View Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max $1,199.99View See more Phones News Philip Michaels Social Links Navigation Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. iOS 19 may bring Apple Intelligence powers to more iPhone apps — but without any big new features iOS 18: The biggest new features available on your iPhone What to expect from iPhones in 2025: iPhone 17 Air, iPhone SE 4 and more Apple Intelligence release date — what's available now and what's coming in 2025 iPhone 17 rumors — everything we know so far 11 iOS 18.2 features to try on your iPhone first — that aren't Apple Intelligence Latest in iPhones iOS 19 — all the rumors so far iPhone 17 Air dummy model shows off Apple’s big design change iOS 19 may bring Apple Intelligence powers to more iPhone apps — but without any big new features iPhone 17 Pro Max — this new rumor could push people towards iPhone 17 Air Apple confirms Siri 2.0 is delayed — 'it’s going to take us longer than we thought' iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Air designs just teased in new video — here's your first look Latest in News iOS 19 — all the rumors so far NYT Connections today hints and answers — Tuesday, March 11 (#639) Hackers are using reCAPTCHA to trick users into infecting their own PCs with malware — how to stay safe Gmail just got a huge AI upgrade that will save you a ton of time Xbox handheld reportedly arriving this year, new PC-like console in 2027 Apple reportedly has an 18.8-inch foldable iPad prototype with under-display Face ID More about iphones iPhone 17 Air dummy model shows off Apple’s big design change iOS 19 may bring Apple Intelligence powers to more iPhone apps — but without any big new features I used this amazing robot vacuum and mop for a month — and my house has never been cleaner See more latest Most Popular 7 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, Max, Hulu and more (March 11-17) NYT Connections today hints and answers — Tuesday, March 11 (#639) NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #373 (Tuesday, March 11 2025) Hackers are using reCAPTCHA to trick users into infecting their own PCs with malware — how to stay safe Gmail just got a huge AI upgrade that will save you a ton of time Xbox handheld reportedly arriving this year, new PC-like console in 2027 Apple reportedly has an 18.8-inch foldable iPad prototype with under-display Face ID Liverpool vs PSG live stream: How to watch Champions League game online and on TV 'Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna': How to watch the documentary online These beloved David Lynch movies just hit Paramount Plus — catch them before they're gone LATEST ARTICLES Forget crunches — I did side plank hip dips for a week and here's what happened to my abs 7 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, Max, Hulu and more (March 11-17) iPhone 16e vs. Pixel 9a: which mid-range phone could win? 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