iOS (formerly iPhone OS)[6] is a mobile operating system developed by Apple exclusively for its devices. It was unveiled in January 2007 for the first-generation iPhone,[7] which launched in June 2007. Major versions of iOS are released annually; the current stable version, iOS 18, was released to the public on September 16, 2024.[8]

iOS
Commercial logo as used by Apple since 2017
Home screen of iOS 18, the most recent version, running on an iPhone 15 Pro using the new Dark Mode
DeveloperApple
Written inC, C++, Objective-C, Swift, assembly language
OS familyUnix-like, based on Darwin (BSD), macOS
Working stateCurrent
Source modelClosed, with open-source components
Initial releaseJune 29, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-06-29)
Latest release18.1.1[1] (November 19, 2024; 12 days ago (2024-11-19)) [±]
Latest preview18.2 beta 4[2] (November 20, 2024; 11 days ago (2024-11-20)) [±] ,
Marketing targetSmartphones, tablet computers, portable media players
Available in41 languages[3]
List of languages
Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional (Hong Kong), Chinese Traditional (Taiwan), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English (Australia), English (United Kingdom), English (United States), Finnish, French (Canada), French (France), German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian (iOS 18), Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
Update methodOTA (5.0–), Finder (macOS 10.15 or later),[4] Apple Devices (Windows 10 version 22H2 or later)[5] or iTunes (Mac OS X 10.4.10–macOS 10.14.6, Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or later)
Platforms
Kernel typeHybrid (XNU)
Default
user interface
Multi-touch, graphical user interface
LicenseProprietary software except for open-source components
Official websitewww.apple.com/ios/
Support status
Supported
Articles in the series
iOS version history

It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone, and is the basis for three other operating systems made by Apple: iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS.[9] iOS formerly also powered iPads until iPadOS was introduced in 2019, and the iPod Touch line of devices until its discontinuation.[10] iOS is the world's second most widely installed mobile operating system, after Android. As of December 2023, Apple's App Store contains more than 3.8 million iOS mobile apps.[11]

iOS is based on macOS. Like macOS, it includes components of the Mach microkernel and FreeBSD.[12][13] It is a Unix-like operating system. Although some parts of iOS are open source under the Apple Public Source License[14] and other licenses,[15] iOS is proprietary software.[16][17]

History

In 2005, when Steve Jobs began planning the iPhone, he had a choice to either "shrink the Mac, which would be an epic feat of engineering, or enlarge the iPod". Jobs favored the former approach but pitted the Macintosh and iPod teams, led by Scott Forstall and Tony Fadell, respectively, against each other in an internal competition, with Forstall winning by creating iPhone OS. The decision enabled the success of the iPhone as a platform for third-party developers: using a well-known desktop operating system as its basis allowed the many third-party Mac developers to write software for the iPhone with minimal retraining. Forstall was also responsible for creating a software development kit for programmers to build iPhone apps, as well as an App Store within iTunes.[18][19]

The operating system was unveiled with the iPhone at the Macworld Conference & Expo on January 9, 2007, and released in June of that year.[20][21][22] At the time of its unveiling in January, Steve Jobs claimed: "iPhone runs OS X" and runs "desktop class applications",[23][24] but at the time of the iPhone's release, the operating system was renamed "iPhone OS".[25] Initially, third-party native applications were not supported. Jobs' reasoning was that developers could build web applications through the Safari web browser that "would behave like native apps on the iPhone".[26][27] In October 2007, Apple announced that a native software development kit (SDK) was under development and that they planned to put it "in developers' hands in February".[28][29][30] On March 6, 2008, Apple held a press event, announcing the iPhone SDK.[31][32]

 
A first-generation iPhone (2007), the first commercially released device running iOS, then called iPhone OS

The iOS App Store was opened on July 10, 2008, with an initial 500 applications available.[33] This quickly grew to 3,000 in September 2008,[34] 15,000 in January 2009,[35] 50,000 in June 2009,[36] 100,000 in November 2009,[37][38] 250,000 in August 2010,[39][40] 650,000 in July 2012,[41] 1 million in October 2013,[42][43] 2 million in June 2016,[44][45][46] and 2.2 million in January 2017.[47][48] As of March 2016, 1 million apps are natively compatible with the iPad tablet computer.[49] These apps have collectively been downloaded more than 130 billion times.[44] App intelligence firm Sensor Tower estimated that the App Store would reach 5 million apps by 2020.[50]

In September 2007, Apple announced the iPod Touch, a redesigned iPod based on the iPhone form factor.[51] On January 27, 2010, Apple introduced their much-anticipated media tablet, the iPad, featuring a larger screen than the iPhone and iPod Touch, and designed for web browsing, media consumption, and reading, and offering multi-touch interaction with multimedia formats including newspapers, e-books, photos, videos, music, word processing documents, video games, and most existing iPhone apps using a 9.7-inch (25 cm) screen.[52][53][54] It also includes a mobile version of Safari for web browsing, as well as access to the App Store, iTunes Library, iBookstore, Contacts, and Notes. Content is downloadable via Wi-Fi and optional 3G service or synced through the user's computer.[55] AT&T was initially the sole U.S. provider of 3G wireless access for the iPad.[56]

In June 2010, Apple rebranded iPhone OS as "iOS".[57][58] The trademark "IOS" had been used by Cisco for over a decade for its operating system, IOS, used on its routers. To avoid any potential lawsuit, Apple licensed the "IOS" trademark from Cisco.[59]

The Apple Watch smartwatch was announced by Tim Cook on September 9, 2014, being introduced as a product with health and fitness-tracking.[60][61] It was released on April 24, 2015.[62][63][64] It uses watchOS as its operating system; watchOS is based on iOS, with new features created specially for the Apple Watch such as an activity tracking app.[65]

In October 2016, Apple opened its first iOS Developer Academy in Naples inside University of Naples Federico II's new campus.[66][67] The course is completely free, aimed at acquiring specific technical skills on the creation and management of applications for the Apple ecosystem platforms.[68] At the academy there are also issues of business administration (business planning and business management with a focus on digital opportunities) and there is a path dedicated to the design of graphical interfaces. Students have the opportunity to participate in the "Enterprise Track", an in-depth training experience on the entire life cycle of an app, from design to implementation, to security, troubleshooting, data storage and cloud usage.[69][70] As of 2020, the academy graduated almost a thousand students from all over the world, who have worked on 400 app ideas and have already published about 50 apps on the iOS App Store. In the 2018–2019 academic year, students from more than 30 countries arrived. 35 of these have been selected to attend the Worldwide Developer Conference, the annual Apple Developer Conference held annually in California in early June.[71][72]

 
Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPad (2010).

On June 3, 2019, iPadOS, the branded version of iOS for iPad, was announced at the 2019 WWDC; it was launched on September 25, 2019.[73]

Features

Interface

The iOS user interface is based upon direct manipulation, using multi-touch gestures such as swipe, tap, pinch, and reverse pinch. Interface control elements include sliders, switches, and buttons.[74] Internal accelerometers are used by some applications to respond to shaking the device (one common result is the undo command) or rotating it in three dimensions (one common result is switching between portrait and landscape mode). Various accessibility described in § Accessibility functions enable users with vision and hearing disabilities to properly use iOS.[75]

iOS devices boot to the lock screen. The lock screen shows the time and a user's lock screen widgets, which display timely information from apps. [76] Upon unlock, a user is directed to the home screen, which is the primary navigation and information "hub" on iOS devices, analogous to the desktop found on personal computers. iOS home screens are typically made up of app icons and widgets; app icons launch the associated app, whereas widgets display live, auto-updating content, such as a weather forecast, the user's email inbox, or a news ticker directly on the home screen.[77]

Along the top of the screen is a status bar, showing information about the device and its connectivity. The Control Center can be "pulled" down from the top right of the notch or Dynamic Island (on iPhones with Face ID) or can be "pulled" up from the bottom to top of the screen (on iPhones with Touch ID), giving access to various toggles to manage the device more quickly without having to open the Settings. It is possible to manage brightness, volume, wireless connections, music player, etc.[78]

Scrolling from the top left to the bottom (or top to bottom on iPhones with Touch ID) will open the Notification Center, which in the latest versions of iOS is very similar to the lock screen. It displays notifications in chronological order and groups them by application. From the notifications of some apps it is possible to interact directly, for example by replying to a message directly from it. Notifications are sent in two modes, critical alerts that are displayed on the lock screen and signaled by a distinctive sound and vibration (e.g. emergency alerts or severe weather alerts), accompanied by a warning banner and the app badge icon, and standard alerts which use a default sound and vibration. Both can be found in the Notification Center, and show for a set amount of time on the lock screen (unless the user has Notification Center allowed when locked). [79][80]

On iPhones with Touch ID, screenshots can be created with the simultaneous press of the home and power buttons. In comparison to Android, which requires the buttons to be held down, a short press does suffice on iOS.[81] On iPhone with Face ID, screenshots are captured using the volume-up and power buttons instead.[82]

The camera application used a skeuomorphic closing camera shutter animation prior to iOS 7. Since then, it uses a simple short blackout effect.[83] Notable additions over time include HDR photography and the option to save both normal and high dynamic range photographs simultaneously where the former prevents ghosting effects from moving objects (since iPhone 5 on iOS 6), automatic HDR adjustment (since iOS 7.1), "live photo" with short video bundled to each photo if enabled (iPhone 6s, iOS 9), and a digital zoom shortcut (iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 10).[84][85][86] Some camera settings such as video resolution and frame rate are not adjustable through the camera interface itself, but are outsourced to the system settings.[87]

A new feature in iOS 13 called "context menus" shows related actions when you touch and hold an item. When the context menu is displayed, the background is blurred.[88]

To choose from a few options, a selection control is used. Selectors can appear anchored at the bottom or in line with the content (called date selectors). Date selectors take on the appearance of any other selection control, but with a column for day, month, and optionally year.

Alerts appear in the center of the screen, but there are also alerts that scroll up from the bottom of the screen (called "action panels"). Destructive actions (such as eliminating any element) are colored red.

The official font of iOS is San Francisco. It is designed for small text readability, and is used throughout the operating system, including third-party apps.[88]

The icons are 180x180px in size for iPhones with a larger screen, usually models over 6 inches, including iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 8 Plus, while they are 120x120px on iPhones with smaller displays.[89]

Home screen

The home screen, rendered by SpringBoard, displays application icons and a dock at the bottom where users can pin their most frequently used apps. iOS home screens are typically made up of app icons and widgets; app icons launch the associated app, whereas widgets display live, auto-updating content, such as a weather forecast, the user's email inbox, or a news ticker directly on the home screen.[90] The home screen appears whenever the user unlocks the device, presses the physical "Home" button while in an app, or swipes up from the bottom of the screen using the home bar.[91] The screen has a status bar across the top to display data, such as time, battery level, and signal strength. The rest of the screen is devoted to the current application. When a passcode is set and a user switches on the device, the passcode must be entered at the Lock Screen before access to the Home screen is granted.[92]

In iPhone OS 3, Spotlight was introduced, allowing users to search media, apps, emails, contacts, messages, reminders, calendar events, and similar content. In iOS 7 and later, Spotlight is accessed by pulling down anywhere on the home screen (except for the top and bottom edges that open Notification Center and Control Center).[93][94] In iOS 9, there are two ways to access Spotlight. As with iOS 7 and 8, pulling down on any homescreen will show Spotlight. However, it can also be accessed as it was in iOS versions 3 through 6. This endows Spotlight with Siri suggestions, which include app suggestions, contact suggestions and news.[95] In iOS 10, Spotlight is at the top of the now-dedicated "Today" panel.[96]

With the release of iPhone OS 3.2, users gained the ability to set a wallpaper for the Home Screen. The feature was initially only available on the iPad (1st generation) until the release of iOS 4 a few months after the release of iPhone OS 3.2, which brought the feature to all iPhone and iPod Touch models that could run the operating system, with the exception of the iPhone 3G and the iPod touch (2nd generation) due to performance issues with icon animations.[97]

iOS 7 introduced a parallax effect on the Home Screen, which shifts the device's wallpaper and icons in response to the movement of the device, creating a 3D effect and an illusion of floating icons. This effect is also visible in the tab view of Mail and Safari.[98]

Researchers found that users organize icons on their homescreens based on usage frequency and relatedness of the applications, as well as for reasons of usability and aesthetics.[99]

System font

iOS originally used Helvetica as the system font. Apple switched to Helvetica Neue exclusively for the iPhone 4 and its Retina Display, and retained Helvetica as the system font for older iPhone devices on iOS 4.[100] With iOS 7, Apple announced that they would change the system font to Helvetica Neue Light, a decision that sparked criticism for inappropriate usage of a light, thin typeface for low-resolution mobile screens. Apple eventually chose Helvetica Neue instead.[101][102] The release of iOS 7 also introduced the ability to scale text or apply other forms of text accessibility changes through Settings.[103][104] With iOS 9, Apple changed the font to San Francisco, an Apple-designed font aimed at maximum legibility and font consistency across its product lineup.[105][106]

Folders

iOS 4 introduced folders, which can be created by dragging an application on top of another, and from then on, more items can be added to the folder using the same procedure. A title for the folder is automatically selected by the category of applications inside, but the name can also be edited by the user.[107] When apps inside folders receive notification badges, the individual numbers of notifications are added up and the total number is displayed as a notification badge on the folder itself.[107] Originally, folders on an iPhone could include up to 12 apps, while folders on iPad could include 20.[108] With increasing display sizes on newer iPhone hardware, iOS 7 updated the folders with pages similar to the home screen layout, allowing for a significant expansion of folder functionality. Each page of a folder can contain up to nine apps, and there can be 15 pages in total, allowing for a total of 135 apps in a single folder.[109] In iOS 9, Apple updated folder sizes for iPad hardware, allowing for 16 apps per page, still at 15 pages maximum, increasing the total to 240 apps.[110]

Notification Center

Before iOS 5, notifications were delivered in a modal window and could not be viewed after being dismissed. In iOS 5, Apple introduced Notification Center, which allows users to view a history of notifications. The user can tap a notification to open its corresponding app, or clear it.[111] Notifications are now delivered in banners that appear briefly at the top of the screen. If a user taps a received notification, the application that sent the notification will be opened. Users can also choose to view notifications in modal alert windows by adjusting the application's notification settings. Introduced with iOS 8, widgets are now accessible through the Notification Center, defined by 3rd parties.[112]

When an app sends a notification while closed, a red badge appears on its icon. This badge tells the user, at a glance, how many notifications that app has sent. Opening the app clears the badge.

Applications

iOS devices come with preinstalled apps developed by Apple including Mail, Maps, TV, Music, FaceTime, Wallet, Health, and many more.

Applications ("apps") are the most general form of application software that can be installed on iOS. They are downloaded from the official catalog of the App Store digital store, where apps are subjected to security checks before being made available to users. In June 2017, Apple updated its guidelines to specify that app developers will no longer have the ability to use custom prompts for encouraging users to leave reviews for their apps.[113][114] IOS applications can also be installed directly from an IPA file provided by the software distributor, via unofficial ways. They are written using iOS Software Development Kit (SDK) and, often, combined with Xcode, using officially supported programming languages, including Swift and Objective-C. Other companies have also created tools that allow for the development of native iOS apps using their respective programming languages.

Applications for iOS are mostly built using components of UIKit, a programming framework. It allows applications to have a consistent look and feel with the OS, nevertheless offering customization.

Elements automatically update along with iOS updates, automatically including new interface rules. UIKit elements are very adaptable, this allows developers to design a single app that looks the same on any iOS device. In addition to defining the iOS interface, UIKit defines the functionality of the application.

At first, Apple did not intend to release an SDK to developers, because they did not want third-party apps to be developed for iOS, building web apps instead. However, this technology never entered into common use, this led Apple to change its opinion, so in October 2007 the SDK for developers was announced, finally released on March 6, 2008.

The SDK includes an inclusive set of development tools,[115] including an audio mixer and an iPhone simulator. It is a free download for Mac users. It is not available for Microsoft Windows PCs. To test the application, get technical support, and distribute applications through App Store, developers are required to subscribe to the Apple Developer Program.

Over the years, the Apple Store apps surpassed multiple major milestones, including 50,000,[116] 100,000,[117] 250,000,[118] 500,000,[119] 1 million,[120] and 2 million apps.[121] The billionth application was installed on April 24, 2009.[122]

App Library

App Library automatically categorizes apps into folders based on their function or type and incluses an alphabetical list of all installed apps. For example, it might group all social media apps into one folder and productivity apps into another.[123] Users can quickly find and access apps by using the search bar at the top of the App Library. Users can choose to hide specific app pages from the home screen, making it easier to focus on the apps they use most frequently.[124]

Storage

iOS enforces strict sandboxing to maintain security and privacy. Apps are generally limited to accessing their own containers and specific system-provided directories, such as the Photos library. To access files outside of their sandbox, iOS uses mechanisms like document pickers, file providers, and app extensions.

iOS 8 introduced the Document Picker and Document Provider extensions as part of the document interaction controller.[125][126][127] This allows apps to open, save, and interact with documents stored in a central location or cloud storage services.

With iOS 11, Apple introduced the Files app[128] and the File Provider extension,[129] providing a central location for users to manage and organize their files. Apps can integrate with the Files app to make their documents accessible and editable directly from the Files app.

The storage of iOS devices can be expanded through iCloud, the Apple's cloud-based storage solution that provides 5GB of storage for free to all users, while other plans require a paid subscription. iCloud Drive allows users to store various types of files, such as documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, in the cloud. These files can be accessed across multiple devices as long as the user is signed in with the same Apple ID.

Accessibility

iOS offers various accessibility features to help users with vision and hearing disabilities. One major feature, VoiceOver, provides a voice reading information on the screen, including contextual buttons, icons, links and other user interface elements, and allows the user to navigate the operating system through gestures. Any apps with default controls and developed with a UIKit framework gets VoiceOver functionality built in.[130] One example includes holding up the iPhone to take a photo, with VoiceOver describing the photo scenery.[131] As part of a "Made for iPhone" program, introduced with the release of iOS 7 in 2013, Apple has developed technology to use Bluetooth and a special technology protocol to let compatible third-party equipment connect with iPhones and iPads for streaming audio directly to a user's ears. Additional customization available for Made for iPhone products include battery tracking and adjustable sound settings for different environments.[132][133] Apple made further efforts for accessibility for the release of iOS 10 in 2016, adding a new pronunciation editor to VoiceOver, adding a Magnifier setting to enlarge objects through the device's camera, software TTY support for deaf people to make phone calls from the iPhone, and giving tutorials and guidelines for third-party developers to incorporate proper accessibility functions into their apps.[134]

In 2012, Liat Kornowski from The Atlantic wrote that "the iPhone has turned out to be one of the most revolutionary developments since the invention of Braille",[135] and in 2016, Steven Aquino of TechCrunch described Apple as "leading the way in assistive technology", with Sarah Herrlinger, Senior Manager for Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives at Apple, stating that "We see accessibility as a basic human right. Building into the core of our products supports a vision of an inclusive world where opportunity and access to information are barrier-free, empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve their goals".[136]

Criticism has been aimed at iOS depending on both internet connection (either WiFi or through iTunes) and a working SIM card upon first activation.[137] This restriction has been loosened in iOS 12, which no longer requires the latter.[138]

Multitasking

Multitasking for iOS was first released in June 2010 along with the release of iOS 4.[139][140] Only certain devices—iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod Touch 3rd generation—were able to multitask.[141] The iPad did not get multitasking until iOS 4.2.1 in that November.[142]

The implementation of multitasking in iOS has been criticized for its approach, which limits the work that applications in the background can perform to a limited function set and requires application developers to add explicit support for it.[141][143]

Before iOS 4, multitasking was limited to a selection of the applications Apple included on the device. Users could however "jailbreak" their device in order to unofficially multitask.[144] Starting with iOS 4, on third-generation and newer iOS devices, multitasking is supported through seven background APIs:[145]

  1. Background audio – application continues to run in the background as long as it is playing audio or video content[146]
  2. Voice over IP – application is suspended when a phone call is not in progress[146]
  3. Background location – application is notified of location changes[146]
  4. Push notifications
  5. Local notifications – application schedules local notifications to be delivered at a predetermined time[146]
  6. Task completion – application asks the system for extra time to complete a given task[146]
  7. Fast app switching – application does not execute any code and may be removed from memory at any time[146]

In iOS 5, three new background APIs were introduced:

  1. Newsstand – application can download content in the background to be ready for the user[146]
  2. External Accessory – application communicates with an external accessory and shares data at regular intervals[146]
  3. Bluetooth Accessory – application communicates with a bluetooth accessory and shares data at regular intervals[146]

In iOS 7, Apple introduced a new multitasking feature, providing all apps with the ability to perform background updates. This feature prefers to update the user's most frequently used apps and prefers to use Wi-Fi networks over a cellular network, without markedly reducing the device's battery life.

Switching applications

In iOS 4.0 to iOS 6.x, double-clicking the home button activates the application switcher. A scrollable dock-style interface appears from the bottom, moving the contents of the screen up. Choosing an icon switches to an application. To the far left are icons which function as music controls, a rotation lock, and on iOS 4.2 and above, a volume controller.

With the introduction of iOS 7, double-clicking the home button also activates the application switcher. However, unlike previous versions it displays screenshots of open applications on top of the icon and horizontal scrolling allows for browsing through previous apps, and it is possible to close applications by dragging them up, similar to how WebOS handled multiple cards.[147]

With the introduction of iOS 9, the application switcher received a significant visual change; while still retaining the card metaphor introduced in iOS 7, the application icon is smaller, and appears above the screenshot (which is now larger, due to the removal of "Recent and Favorite Contacts"), and each application "card" overlaps the other, forming a rolodex effect as the user scrolls. Now, instead of the home screen appearing at the leftmost of the application switcher, it appears rightmost.[148] In iOS 11, the application switcher receives a major redesign. In the iPad, the Control Center and app switcher are combined. The app switcher in the iPad can also be accessed by swiping up from the bottom. In the iPhone, the app switcher cannot be accessed if there are no apps in the RAM.

Ending tasks

In iOS 4.0 to iOS 6.x, briefly holding the icons in the application switcher makes them "jiggle" (similarly to the homescreen) and allows the user to force quit the applications by tapping the red minus circle that appears at the corner of the app's icon.[149] Clearing applications from multitasking stayed the same from iOS 4.0 through 6.1.6, the last version of iOS 6.

As of iOS 7, the process has become faster and easier. In iOS 7, instead of holding the icons to close them, they are closed by simply swiping them upwards off the screen. Up to three apps can be cleared at a time compared to one in versions up to iOS 6.1.6.[150]

Task completion

Task completion allows apps to continue a certain task after the app has been suspended.[151][152] As of iOS 4.0, apps can request up to ten minutes to complete a task in the background.[153] This doesn't extend to background uploads and downloads though (e.g. if a user starts a download in one application, it won't finish if they switch away from the application).

Siri

Siri (/ˈsɪri/) is a virtual assistant integrated into iOS. The assistant uses voice queries and a natural-language user interface to answer questions, make recommendations, and perform actions by delegating requests to a set of Internet services. The software adapts to users' individual language usages, searches, and preferences, with continuing use. Returned results are individualized.

Originally released as an app for iOS in February 2010,[154] it was acquired by Apple two months later,[155][156][157] and then integrated into iPhone 4S at its release in October 2011.[158][159] At that time, the separate app was also removed from the iOS App Store.[160]

Siri supports a wide range of user commands, including performing phone actions, checking basic information, scheduling events and reminders, handling device settings, searching the Internet, navigating areas, finding information on entertainment, and is able to engage with iOS-integrated apps.[161] With the release of iOS 10 in 2016, Apple opened up limited third-party access to Siri, including third-party messaging apps, as well as payments, ride-sharing, and Internet calling apps.[162][163] With the release of iOS 11, Apple updated Siri's voices for more clear, human voices, it now supports follow-up questions and language translation, and additional third-party actions.[164][165] iOS 17 enabled users to activate Siri by simply saying “Siri”, while the previous command, “Hey Siri”, is still supported.

Game Center

Game Center is an online multiplayer "social gaming network"[166] released by Apple.[167] It allows users to "invite friends to play a game, start a multiplayer game through matchmaking, track their achievements, and compare their high scores on a leaderboard." iOS 5 and above adds support for profile photos.[166]

Game Center was announced during an iOS 4 preview event hosted by Apple on April 8, 2010. A preview was released to registered Apple developers in August.[166] It was released on September 8, 2010, with iOS 4.1 on iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod Touch 2nd generation through 4th generation.[168] Game Center made its public debut on the iPad with iOS 4.2.1.[169] There is no support for the iPhone 3G, original iPhone and the first-generation iPod Touch (the latter two devices did not have Game Center because they did not get iOS 4).[170] However, Game Center is unofficially available on the iPhone 3G via a hack.[171]

Hardware

The main hardware platform for iOS is the ARM architecture (the ARMv7, ARMv8-A, ARMv8.2-A, ARMv8.3-A). iOS releases before iOS 7 can only be run on iOS devices with 32-bit ARM processors (ARMv6 and ARMv7-A architectures). In 2013, iOS 7 was released with full 64-bit support (which includes a native 64-bit kernel, libraries, drivers as well as all built-in applications),[172] after Apple announced that they were switching to 64-bit ARMv8-A processors with the introduction of the Apple A7 chip.[173] 64-bit support was also enforced for all apps in the App Store; All new apps submitted to the App Store with a deadline of February 2015, and all app updates submitted to the App Store with a deadline of June 1, 2015.[174] iOS 11 drops support for all iOS devices with 32-bit ARM processors as well as 32-bit applications,[175][176] making iOS 64-bit only.[177]

Development

The iOS software development kit (SDK) allows for the development of mobile apps that can run on iOS.

While originally developing iPhone prior to its unveiling in 2007, Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs did not intend to let third-party developers build native apps for iOS, instead directing them to make web applications for the Safari web browser.[178] However, backlash from developers prompted the company to reconsider,[178] with Jobs announcing in October 2007 that Apple would have a software development kit available for developers by February 2008.[179][180] The SDK was released on March 6, 2008.[181][182]

The SDK is a free download for users of Mac personal computers.[183] It is not available for Microsoft Windows PCs.[183] The SDK contains sets giving developers access to various functions and services of iOS devices, such as hardware and software attributes.[184] It also contains an iPhone simulator to mimic the look and feel of the device on the computer while developing.[184] New versions of the SDK accompany new versions of iOS.[185][186] In order to test applications, get technical support, and distribute apps through App Store, developers are required to subscribe to the Apple Developer Program.[183]

Combined with Xcode, the iOS SDK helps developers write iOS apps using officially supported programming languages, including Swift and Objective-C.[187] Other companies have also created tools that allow for the development of native iOS apps using their respective programming languages.[188][189]

Update history & schedule

iPhone platform usage as measured by the App Store on June 9th, 2024[190]

  iOS 17 (77%)
  iOS 16 (14%)
  iOS 15 and earlier (9%)

iPad platform usage as measured by the App Store on June 9th, 2024[190]

  iPadOS 17 (68%)
  iPadOS 16 (17%)
  iPadOS 15 and earlier (15%)

Apple provides major updates to the iOS operating system annually via iTunes and, since iOS 5, also over-the-air.[191] The device checks an XML-based PLIST file on mesu.apple.com [citation needed] for updates. Updates are delivered as unencrypted ZIP files. Updates are checked for regularly, and are downloaded and installed automatically if enabled. Otherwise, the user can install them manually or are prompted to allow automatic installation overnight if plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.

iPod Touch users originally had to pay for system software updates due to accounting rules that designated it not a "subscription device" like the iPhone or Apple TV,[192][193] causing many iPod Touch owners not to update.[194] In September 2009, a change in accounting rules won tentative approval, affecting Apple's earnings and stock price, and allowing iPod Touch updates to be delivered free of charge.[195][196]

Apple significantly extended the cycle of updates for iOS-supported devices over the years. The iPhone (1st generation) and iPhone 3G only received two iOS updates, while later models had support for five, six, and seven years.[197][198]

XNU kernel

The iOS kernel is the XNU kernel of Darwin. The original iPhone OS (1.0) up to iPhone OS 3.1.3 used Darwin 9.0.0d1. iOS 4 was based on Darwin 10. iOS 5 was based on Darwin 11. iOS 6 was based on Darwin 13. iOS 7 and iOS 8 are based on Darwin 14. iOS 9 is based on Darwin 15. iOS 10 is based on Darwin 16. iOS 11 is based on Darwin 17. iOS 12 is based on Darwin 18. iOS 13 is based on Darwin 19. iOS 14 is based on Darwin 20. iOS 15 is based on Darwin 21. iOS 16 is based on Darwin 22.[199]

In iOS 6 the kernel is subject to ASLR, similar to that of OS X Mountain Lion. This makes exploit possibilities more complex since it is not possible to know the location of kernel code.

Apple has made the XNU kernel open source.[200] The source is under a 3-clause[201] BSD license for the original BSD parts, with parts added by Apple under the Apple Public Source License.[202] The versions contained in iOS are not available; only the versions used in macOS are available.

iOS does not have kernel extensions (kexts) in the file system, even if they are actually present. The kernel cache can be decompressed to show the correct kernel, along with the kexts (all packed in the __PRELINK_TEXT section) and their plists (in the __PRELINK_INFO section).

The kernel cache can also be directly decompressed (if decrypted) using third-party tools. With the advent of iOS 10 betas and default plain text kernelcaches, these tools can only be used after unpacking and applying lzssdec to unpack the kernel cache to its full size.

The kextstat provided by the Cydia alternative software does not work on iOS because the kextstat is based on kmod_get_info(...), which is a deprecated API in iOS 4 and Mac OS X Snow Leopard. There are other alternative software that can also dump raw XML data.

On developing devices, the kernel is always stored as a statically linked cache stored in /System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kernelcaches/kernelcache which is unpacked and executed at boot.

In the beginning, iOS had a kernel version usually higher than the corresponding version of macOS. Over time, the kernels of iOS and macOS have gotten closer. This is not surprising, considering that iOS introduced new features (such as the ASLR Kernel, the default freezer, and various security-strengthening features) that were first incorporated and subsequently arrived on macOS. It appears Apple is gradually merging the iOS and macOS kernels over time. The build date for each version varies slightly between processors. This is due to the fact that the builds are sequential.

Jailbreaking

Since its initial release, iOS has been subject to a variety of different hacks centered around adding functionality not allowed by Apple.[203] Prior to the 2008 debut of Apple's native iOS App Store, the primary motive for jailbreaking was to bypass Apple's purchase mechanism for installing the App Store's native applications.[204] Apple claimed that it would not release iOS software updates designed specifically to break these tools (other than applications that perform SIM unlocking); however, with each subsequent iOS update, previously un-patched jailbreak exploits are usually patched.[205]

When a device is booting, it loads Apple's own kernel initially,[206][207] so a jailbroken device must be exploited and have the kernel patched each time it is booted up.

There are different types of jailbreak. An untethered jailbreak uses exploits that are powerful enough to allow the user to turn their device off and back on at will, with the device starting up completely, and the kernel will be patched without the help of a computer – in other words, it will be jailbroken even after each reboot.[207]

However, some jailbreaks are tethered. A tethered jailbreak is only able to temporarily jailbreak the device during a single boot. If the user turns the device off and then boots it back up without the help of a jailbreak tool, the device will no longer be running a patched kernel, and it may get stuck in a partially started state, such as Recovery Mode. In order for the device to start completely and with a patched kernel, it must be "re-jailbroken" with a computer (using the "boot tethered" feature of a tool) each time it is turned on. All changes to the files on the device (such as installed package files or edited system files) will persist between reboots, including changes that can only function if the device is jailbroken (such as installed package files).[208]

In more recent years, two other solutions have been created – semi-tethered and semi-untethered.[206]

A semi-tethered solution is one where the device is able to start up on its own, but it will no longer have a patched kernel, and therefore will not be able to run modified code. It will, however, still be usable for normal functions, just like stock iOS. To start with a patched kernel, the user must start the device with the help of the jailbreak tool.[207]

A semi-untethered jailbreak gives the ability to start the device on its own. On first boot, the device will not be running a patched kernel. However, rather than having to run a tool from a computer to apply the kernel patches, the user is able to re-jailbreak their device with the help of an app (usually sideloaded using Cydia Impactor) running on their device. In the case of the iOS 9.2-9.3.3 and 64-bit 10.x jailbreaks, Safari-based exploits were available, thereby meaning websites could be used to re-jailbreak.

In more detail: Each iOS device has a bootchain that tries to make sure only trusted/signed code is loaded. A device with a tethered jailbreak is able to boot up with the help of a jailbreaking tool because the tool executes exploits via USB that bypass parts of that "chain of trust", bootstrapping to a pwned (no signature check) iBEC, or iBoot to finish the boot process.

Since the arrival of Apple's native iOS App Store, and—along with it—third-party applications, the general motives for jailbreaking have changed.[209] People jailbreak for many different reasons, including gaining filesystem access, installing custom device themes, and modifying SpringBoard. An additional motivation is that it may enable the installation of pirated apps. On some devices, jailbreaking also makes it possible to install alternative operating systems, such as Android and the Linux kernel. Primarily, users jailbreak their devices because of the limitations of iOS. Depending on the method used, the effects of jailbreaking may be permanent or temporary.[210]

In 2010, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) successfully convinced the U.S. Copyright Office to allow an exemption to the general prohibition on circumvention of copyright protection systems under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The exemption allows jailbreaking of iPhones for the sole purpose of allowing legally obtained applications to be added to the iPhone.[211] The exemption does not affect the contractual relations between Apple and an iPhone owner, for example, jailbreaking voiding the iPhone warranty; however, it is solely based on Apple's discretion on whether they will fix jailbroken devices in the event that they need to be repaired. At the same time, the Copyright Office exempted unlocking an iPhone from DMCA's anticircumvention prohibitions.[212] Unlocking an iPhone allows the iPhone to be used with any wireless carrier using the same GSM or CDMA technology for which the particular phone model was designed to operate.[213]

Unlocking

Initially most wireless carriers in the US did not allow iPhone owners to unlock it for use with other carriers. However AT&T allowed iPhone owners who had satisfied contract requirements to unlock their iPhone.[214] Instructions to unlock the device are available from Apple,[215] but it is ultimately at the sole discretion of the carrier to authorize unlocking the device.[216] This allows the use of a carrier-sourced iPhone on other networks. Modern versions of iOS and the iPhone fully support LTE across multiple carriers wherever the phone was purchased.[217] Programs to remove SIM lock restrictions are available, but are not supported by Apple, and most often not a permanent unlock – a soft unlock,[218] which modifies the iPhone so that the baseband will accept the SIM card of any GSM carrier. SIM unlocking is not jailbreaking, but a jailbreak is also required for these unofficial software unlocks.

The legality of software unlocking varies in each country; for example, in the US, there is a DMCA exemption for unofficial software unlocking of devices purchased before January 26, 2013.[219]

Digital rights management

The closed and proprietary nature of iOS has garnered criticism, particularly by digital rights advocates such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, computer engineer and activist Brewster Kahle, Internet-law specialist Jonathan Zittrain, and the Free Software Foundation who protested the iPad's introductory event and have targeted the iPad with their "Defective by Design" campaign.[220][221][222][223] Competitor Microsoft, via a PR spokesman, criticized Apple's control over its platform.[224]

At issue are restrictions imposed by the design of iOS, namely digital rights management (DRM) intended to lock purchased media to Apple's platform, the development model (requiring a yearly subscription to distribute apps developed for the iOS), the centralized approval process for apps, as well as Apple's general control and lockdown of the platform itself. Particularly at issue is the ability for Apple to remotely disable or delete apps at will.[225]

Some in the tech community have expressed concern that the locked-down iOS represents a growing trend in Apple's approach to computing, particularly Apple's shift away from machines that hobbyists can "tinker with" and note the potential for such restrictions to stifle software innovation.[226][227] Former Facebook developer Joe Hewitt protested against Apple's control over its hardware as a "horrible precedent" but praised iOS's sandboxing of apps.[228]

Security and privacy

iOS utilizes many security features in both hardware and software.

Reception

Market share

Worldwide market share of smartphone operating systems
Android
67.72%
iOS
31.44%
Other
0.84%
Source: Statcounter (May 2023).[229]

iOS is the second most popular mobile operating system in the world, after Android. Sales of iPads in recent years are also behind Android, while, by web use (a proxy for all use), iPads (using iOS) are still the most popular.[230]

At WWDC 2014, Tim Cook said 800 million devices had been sold by June 2014.[231] During Apple's quarterly earnings call in January 2015, the company announced that they had sold over one billion iOS devices since 2007.[232][233]

By February 2023, there were 2 billion devices activated,[234] and 1.5 billion iPhones had been sold since 2007.[235]

By late 2011, iOS accounted for 60% of the market share for smartphones and tablets.[236] By the end of 2014, iOS accounted for 14.8% of the smartphone market[237] and 27.6% of the tablet and two-in-one market.[238] In May 2023, StatCounter reported iOS was used on 31.44% of smartphones and 55.75% of tablets worldwide, measured by internet usage instead of sales.[239]

In the third quarter of 2015, research from Strategy Analytics showed that iOS adoption of the worldwide smartphone market was at a record low 12.1%, attributed to lackluster performance in China and Africa. Android accounted for 87.5% of the market, with Windows Phone and BlackBerry accounting for the rest.[240][241]

Devices

Timeline of iOS devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Apple TV, and Apple Watch models
Apple Watch Series 10Apple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Ultra 2Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch UltraApple Watch Series 7Apple Watch SEApple Watch Series 6Apple Watch SEApple Watch Series 5Apple Watch Series 3Apple Watch Series 1Apple Watch Series 4Apple Watch Series 2Apple WatchApple TVApple TVApple TVApple TVApple TVApple TVApple TVApple TViPad Pro (7th generation)iPad Pro (7th generation)iPad Pro (6th generation)iPad Pro (6th generation)iPad Pro (5th generation)iPad Pro (5th generation)iPad Pro (4th generation)iPad Pro (4th generation)iPad Pro (3rd generation)iPad Pro (3rd generation)iPad Pro (2nd generation)iPad Pro (2nd generation)iPad Pro (1st generation)iPad Pro (1st generation)iPad Air (6th generation)iPad Air (5th generation)iPad Air (4th generation)iPad Air (3rd generation)iPad Air 2iPad Air (1st generation)iPad Mini (6th generation)iPad Mini (5th generation)iPad Mini 4iPad Mini 3iPad Mini 2iPad Mini (1st generation)iPad (10th generation)iPad (9th generation)iPad (8th generation)iPad (7th generation)iPad (6th generation)iPad (4th generation)iPad (5th generation)iPad (4th generation)iPad 2iPad (3rd generation)iPad (1st generation)iPod Touch (7th generation)iPod Touch (6th generation)iPod Touch (5th generation)iPod Touch (4th generation)iPod Touch (2nd generation)iPod Touch (3rd generation)iPod Touch (1st generation)iPhone 13 ProiPhone 13iPhone 13iPhone 11 ProiPhone 11iPhone XRiPhone SE (2nd generation)iPhone 6iPhone SE (1st generation)iPhone 5CiPhone 16 ProiPhone 16iPhone 15 ProiPhone 15iPhone 14 ProiPhone 14iPhone 12 ProiPhone 12 ProiPhone 12iPhone 12iPhone XSiPhone XiPhone 8iPhone 7iPhone 6SiPhone 6iPhone 5SiPhone 5iPhone 4SiPhone 4iPhone 3GSiPhone 3GiPhone SE (3rd generation)iPhone (1st generation)
Sources: Apple Inc. Newsroom Archive,[242] Mactracker Apple Inc. model database[243]

See also

References

  1. ^ Clover, Juli (November 19, 2024). "Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes". MacRumors. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Clover, Juli (November 20, 2024). "Apple Releases Fourth Betas of iOS 18.2 and More With Genmoji, Image Playground and ChatGPT Integration [Update: Public Betas Available]". MacRumors. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  3. ^ "iOS and iPadOS – Feature Availability". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  4. ^ Tim Brookes (October 17, 2019). "Where Are iTunes Features in macOS Catalina?". How-To Geek. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  5. ^ "Apple Devices Preview - Official app in the Microsoft Store". Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  6. ^ "iOS: A visual history". The Verge. December 13, 2011. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  7. ^ "Apple Reinvents the Phone with iPhone". Apple Newsroom. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Clover, Juli (September 16, 2024). "Apple Releases iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 With Home Screen Customization, App Locking, Passwords App, Messages Updates and More". MacRumors. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  9. ^ Espósito, Filipe (April 13, 2020). "HomePod now runs on tvOS, here's what that could mean". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "The music lives on". Apple Newsroom. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  11. ^ "Number of apps from the Apple App Store 2022". Statista. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  12. ^ "Is Mac Os X Microkernel? – LEMP". Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  13. ^ "iOS/About iOS/Mach_and_BSD.md at master · writeups/iOS". GitHub. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  14. ^ "License - APSL". opensource.apple.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  15. ^ "Software License Agreement". opensource.apple.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  16. ^ "Apple Open Source". Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  17. ^ Rogucki, Michał (October 28, 2023). "Why is iOS not open source?". TS2 SPACE. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  18. ^ Satariano, Adam; Burrows, Peter; Stone, Brad (October 14, 2011). "Scott Forstall, the Sorcerer's Apprentice at Apple". Bloomberg Businessweek. Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  19. ^ Kim, Arnold (October 12, 2011). "Scott Forstall's Personality, Origins of iOS, and Lost iPhone 4 Prototype". MacRumors. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  20. ^ Thomas, Owen (January 9, 2007). "Apple: Hello, iPhone". CNN Money. CNN. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  21. ^ Eadicicco, Lisa (January 9, 2017). "Watch Steve Jobs Unveil the First iPhone 10 Years Ago Today". Time. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  22. ^ Honan, Mathew (January 9, 2007). "Apple unveils iPhone". Macworld. International Data Group. Archived from the original on January 26, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  23. ^ Block, Ryan (January 9, 2007). "Live from Macworld 2007: Steve Jobs keynote". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  24. ^ Wright, Mic (September 9, 2015). "The original iPhone announcement annotated: Steve Jobs' genius meets Genius". The Next Web. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  25. ^ "iOS: A visual history". The Verge. Vox Media. September 16, 2013. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  26. ^ Gonsalves, Antone (October 11, 2007). "Apple Launches iPhone Web Apps Directory". InformationWeek. UBM plc. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  27. ^ "Jobs' original vision for the iPhone: No third-party native apps". 9to5Mac. October 21, 2011. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  28. ^ Fletcher, Nik (October 17, 2007). "Apple: "we plan to have an iPhone SDK in developers' hands in February"". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  29. ^ Eran Dilger, Daniel (March 7, 2017). "Nine Years of Apple's iOS SDK generated $60 billion, 1.4 million jobs". AppleInsider. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  30. ^ Elmer-DeWitt, Philip (October 17, 2007). "Steve Jobs: Apple Will Open iPhone to 3rd Party Apps in February". Fortune. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  31. ^ Block, Ryan (March 6, 2008). "Live from Apple's iPhone SDK press conference". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on January 27, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  32. ^ Dalrymple, Jim; Snell, Jason (February 27, 2008). "Apple: iPhone SDK, enterprise announcement next week". Macworld. International Data Group. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  33. ^ Ricker, Thomas (July 10, 2008). "Jobs: App Store launching with 500 iPhone applications, 25% free". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  34. ^ "App Store Downloads Top 100 Million Worldwide". Apple Press Info. Apple Inc. September 9, 2008. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  35. ^ Myslewski, Rik (January 16, 2009). "iPhone App Store breezes past 500 million downloads". The Register. Situation Publishing. Archived from the original on May 5, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  36. ^ Siegler, MG (June 8, 2009). "State Of The iPhone Ecosystem: 40 Million Devices and 50,000 Apps". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on June 10, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  37. ^ Moren, Dan (November 4, 2009). "App Store officially passes 100,000 app mark". Macworld. International Data Group. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  38. ^ Frommer, Dan (November 4, 2009). "iPhone App Store Passes 100,000 Apps". Business Insider. Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  39. ^ Brian, Matt (August 28, 2010). "Apple's App Store Now Features 250,000 Apps". The Next Web. Archived from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  40. ^ Elmer-DeWitt, Philip (August 28, 2010). "Apple App Store: 250,000 and counting". Fortune. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  41. ^ Crook, Jordan (July 24, 2012). "Apple App Store Hits 650,000 Apps: 250,000 Designed For iPad, $5.5B Paid Out To Devs". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  42. ^ Ingraham, Nathan (October 22, 2013). "Apple announces 1 million apps in the App Store, more than 1 billion songs played on iTunes radio". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on May 12, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  43. ^ Fiegerman, Seth (October 22, 2013). "Apple's App Store Tops 1 Million Apps". Mashable. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  44. ^ a b Golson, Jordan (June 13, 2016). "Apple's App Store now has over 2 million apps". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  45. ^ Beck, Kellen (June 13, 2016). "Apple's App Store now has over 2 million apps". Mashable. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  46. ^ Carson, Erin (June 13, 2016). "Apple by the numbers: 2 million apps, 15 million Apple Music subscribers". CNET. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  47. ^ Goode, Lauren (January 5, 2017). "Apple's App Store just had the most successful month of sales ever". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  48. ^ Dignan, Larry (January 5, 2017). "Apple's App Store 2016 revenue tops $28 billion mark, developers net $20 billion". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  49. ^ Kastrenakes, Jacob (March 21, 2016). "There are now 1 million iPad apps". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  50. ^ Perez, Sarah (August 10, 2016). "App Store to reach 5 million apps by 2020, with games leading the way". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  51. ^ Bangeman, Eric (September 17, 2007). "The iPod meets the iPhone: a review of the iPod Touch". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  52. ^ Rose, Michael (January 27, 2013). "January 27, 2010: Apple announces the iPad". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  53. ^ Foresman, Chris (January 27, 2010). "Apple announces the iPad". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  54. ^ "Apple Launches iPad". Apple Press Info. Apple Inc. January 27, 2010. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  55. ^ "Apple Tablet Media Event Today: "Come See Our Latest Creation"". MacRumors. January 27, 2010. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  56. ^ Tony Bradley (January 29, 2010). "AT&T Beefing Up Network for iPad and iPhone". PC World. Archived from the original on February 1, 2010. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  57. ^ Patel, N. (June 7, 2010). "iPhone OS 4 renamed iOS 4, launching June 21 with 1500 new features". Engadget. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  58. ^ Chartier, David (June 7, 2010). "iPhone OS gets new name, video calling". Macworld. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  59. ^ Tartakoff, Joseph (June 7, 2010). "Apple Avoids iPhone-Like Trademark Battle Thanks To Cisco, FaceTime Deals". paidContent. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  60. ^ Garun, Natt (September 9, 2014). "Everything Apple announced at its September 2014 keynote". The Next Web. Archived from the original on April 3, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  61. ^ Savov, Vlad (September 9, 2014). "Apple Watch announced: available for $349 early next year". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  62. ^ Machkovech, Sam (March 9, 2015). "Apple Watch starts at $349, launching April 24". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  63. ^ Gibbs, Samuel; Hern, Alex (March 9, 2015). "Apple Watch: available 24 April for between $349 and $17,000". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 16, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  64. ^ Kastrenakes, Jacob (March 9, 2015). "Apple Watch release date is April 24th, with pricing from $349 to over $10,000". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 11, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  65. ^ Hamburger, Ellis (September 9, 2014). "Activity and Workout apps for Apple Watch track your moves 24/7". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  66. ^ Juli Clover (October 5, 2016). "Apple's First iOS Developer Academy Opens October 6 at University of Naples". MacRumors. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  67. ^ Mike Wuerthele (October 5, 2016). "Apple's first European iOS Developer Academy opening on Thursday in Naples, Italy". AppleInsider. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  68. ^ "Chi è entrato, chi è scappato e cosa c'è dentro alla iOS Developer Academy di Napoli". Wired (in Italian). October 7, 2016. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  69. ^ "Dopo Apple in arrivo a Napoli altri big dell'hi-tech". Il Sole 24 ORE (in Italian). October 18, 2019. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  70. ^ "iOS Developer Academy aprirà a Napoli | In Ateneo". University of Naples Federico II. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  71. ^ "Developer Academy | Università Federico II". University of Naples Federico II. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  72. ^ "Apple Developer Academy di Napoli, al via le nuove iscrizioni". lastampa.it (in Italian). May 15, 2019. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  73. ^ "Apple unveils iPadOS, adding features specifically to iPad". AppleInsider. June 3, 2019. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  74. ^ "Interface Essentials – iOS – Human Interface Guidelines". Apple Developer. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  75. ^ "Adaptivity and Layout – Visual Design – iOS – Human Interface Guidelines". Apple Developer. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  76. ^ "How to add and edit widgets on your iPhone". Apple Support. February 23, 2023. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  77. ^ "Widgets – System Capabilities – iOS – Human Interface Guidelines – Apple Developer". Apple Developer. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  78. ^ "Access and customize Control Center on your iPhone and iPod Touch". Apple Support. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  79. ^ "Use notifications on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch". Apple Support. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  80. ^ "How to find your notifications and respond when you're ready". iMore. December 2, 2018. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  81. ^ Alex, Anson (October 4, 2012). "How to Take a Screenshot on the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 [Video]". AnsonAlex.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  82. ^ "How to Take a Screenshot on an iPhone X and Newer Models". Digital Trends. December 1, 2020. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  83. ^ "How Functional Animation Helps Improve User Experience". Smashing Magazine. January 11, 2017. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021. [Image: shutter-animation-in-apple-ios-6-camera-app.png] Shutter image in the iOS 6 camera app
  84. ^ "Apple iPhone 5 Camera Review". DPReview. October 9, 2012. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  85. ^ Cipriani, Jason (March 10, 2014). "How to enable auto-HDR in iOS 7.1". CNET. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  86. ^ "Camera tests: Zoom on the iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus". iMore. September 21, 2016. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  87. ^ "Record HD or 4K video with your iPhone or iPad". Apple Support. December 14, 2020. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  88. ^ a b "Context Menus – Controls – iOS – Human Interface Guidelines – Apple Developer". Apple Developer. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  89. ^ "Technical Q&A QA1686: App Icons on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch". Apple Developer. Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  90. ^ "Add, edit, and remove widgets on iPhone". Apple Support. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  91. ^ "Home button – Apple". help.apple.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  92. ^ "About iOS passcodes – Apple Support". support.apple.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  93. ^ "Apple's iOS 7 brings quick Spotlight search access to every app page". AppleInsider. June 10, 2013. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  94. ^ "Search on iPad with iOS 7". October 21, 2013. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  95. ^ "Hands-on with the new, proactive Spotlight in iOS 9". September 16, 2015. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  96. ^ Seifert, Dan (September 13, 2016). "iOS 10 will make you love your lock screen". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  97. ^ Slivka, Eric (June 22, 2010). "Steve Jobs on Lack of Custom Wallpapers in iOS 4 for iPhone 3G". MacRumors. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  98. ^ Zibreg, Christian (September 26, 2016) [June 28, 2013]. "A closer look at iOS 7 parallax effect". iDownloadBlog.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  99. ^ Matthias Böhmer, Antonio Krüger. A Study on Icon Arrangement by Smartphone Users Archived May 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. In Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '13). ACM, New York, NY, US, 2137–2146.
  100. ^ Gruber, John (June 29, 2010). "4". Daring Fireball. Archived from the original on October 9, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  101. ^ Stinson, Elizabeth (June 9, 2015). "Why Apple abandoned the world's most beloved typeface". Wired. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  102. ^ Koetsier, John (July 9, 2013). "Apple 'fontgate' ends with thicker Helvetica Neue in iOS 7 beta 3". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  103. ^ Guarino, Sarah (September 21, 2013). "iOS 7 How-to: Make text more readable/larger on your iPad and iPhone". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  104. ^ Kazmucha, Allyson (November 20, 2013). "How to increase or decrease font sizes on iPhone and iPad in iOS 7 with Dynamic Type". iMore. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  105. ^ Strange, Adario (September 17, 2015). "All hail Apple's new iOS 9 font, San Francisco". Mashable. Archived from the original on December 21, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  106. ^ "Apple drops Helvetica for San Francisco in iOS 9". AppleInsider. September 16, 2015. Archived from the original on March 6, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  107. ^ a b Frakes, Dan (June 21, 2010). "Hands on with iOS 4 folders". Macworld. International Data Group. Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  108. ^ Friedman, Lex (June 20, 2011). "How to create and organize iOS folders". Macworld. International Data Group. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  109. ^ Costello, Sam (March 20, 2017). "How Many Apps and Folders Can an iPhone Have?". Lifewire. Dotdash. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  110. ^ Miller, Chance (July 8, 2015). "iOS 9 lets you store 105 more apps per folder on the iPad". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  111. ^ "iPhone 4S – Always know what's up in Notification Center". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012.
  112. ^ "How to use widgets on iOS 8". CNET. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  113. ^ Kastrenakes, Jacob (June 9, 2017). "Apple won't let apps annoy you with their own review prompts anymore". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  114. ^ Mayo, Benjamin (June 9, 2017). "App Store now requires developers to use official API to request app ratings, disallows custom prompts". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on June 12, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  115. ^ Kim, Arnold (March 6, 2008). "Apple Releases iPhone SDK, Demos Spore, Instant Messaging". MacRumors. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  116. ^ Siegler, MG (June 8, 2009). "State Of The iPhone Ecosystem: 40 Million Devices and 50,000 Apps". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on June 10, 2009. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  117. ^ "Apple Announces Over 100,000 Apps Available on the App Store". MacRumors. November 4, 2009. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  118. ^ Brian, Matt (August 28, 2010). "Apple's App Store Now Features 250,000 Apps". The Next Web. Archived from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  119. ^ Grothaus, Michael (October 4, 2011). "More than 18 billion apps downloaded from App Store". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  120. ^ Ingraham, Nathan (October 22, 2013). "Apple announces 1 million apps in the App Store, more than 1 billion songs played on iTunes radio". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on May 12, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  121. ^ Golson, Jordan (June 13, 2016). "Apple's App Store now has over 2 million apps". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  122. ^ "Apple's Revolutionary App Store Downloads Top One Billion in Just Nine Months". Apple Press Info. Apple Inc. April 24, 2009. Archived from the original on March 15, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  123. ^ "How to Use the App Library to Organize Your iPhone or iPad Home Screen". PCMAG. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  124. ^ "Organize the Home Screen and App Library on your iPhone". Apple Support. November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  125. ^ "App Extension Programming Guide: Document Provider". Apple Developer. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  126. ^ "UIDocumentPickerExtensionViewController". Apple Developer Documentation. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  127. ^ updated, Rene Ritchie last (July 22, 2014). "Document provider extensions in iOS 8: Explained". iMore. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  128. ^ "How to Use the New Files App in iOS 11". macrumors.com. September 19, 2017. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  129. ^ "File Provider". Apple Developer Documentation. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  130. ^ Tanasychuk, Mike (September 15, 2016). "How to use VoiceOver on iPhone and iPad". iMore. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  131. ^ Tibken, Shara (March 25, 2016). "Seeing eye phone: Giving independence to the blind". CNET. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  132. ^ Tibken, Shara (November 3, 2016). "Apple iPhone tech helps reinvent the hearing aid". CNET. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  133. ^ Wing Kosner, Anthony (August 16, 2014). "Made For iPhone Hearing Aids: Hands On With Halo, A Mission-Critical Wearable". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  134. ^ Aquino, Steven (June 26, 2016). "Accessibility was all around this year's WWDC". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  135. ^ Kornowski, Liat (May 2, 2012). "How the Blind Are Reinventing the iPhone". The Atlantic. Atlantic Media. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  136. ^ Aquino, Steven (May 19, 2016). "When it comes to accessibility, Apple continues to lead in awareness and innovation". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  137. ^ Haslam, Karen. "How to activate an iPhone without a SIM card (or Wi-Fi)". Macworld UK. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  138. ^ "How to Activate iPhone without SIM?". www.wootechy.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  139. ^ "iOS 4 iPhone Update RELEASED: A Guide To iOS 4". The Huffington Post. June 21, 2010. Archived from the original on December 29, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  140. ^ Albanesius, Chloe (June 21, 2010). "Apple iPhone iOS 4 Software Update Expected Monday". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on June 23, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  141. ^ a b Cheng, Jacqui (June 21, 2010). "Ars reviews iOS 4: what's new, notable, and what needs work". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  142. ^ Ray, Bill (November 22, 2010). "iOS 4.2 multi-tasking comes to the iPad". Wired. The Register. Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  143. ^ Newman, Jared (June 22, 2010). "Multitasking With iOS 4 is Horrible: Apple Blew It". PC World. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  144. ^ Ritchie, Rene (June 14, 2010). "iOS 4 review". iMore. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  145. ^ Ritchie, Rene (April 8, 2010). "Apple announces multitasking for iPhone OS 4 (iPhone 3GS/iPod Touch G3 only)". iMore. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  146. ^ a b c d e f g h i "App Programming Guide for iOS – Background Execution". Apple Developer. September 17, 2014. Archived from the original on July 27, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  147. ^ Yoni Heisler (June 12, 2013). "Jon Rubinstein: OS X and iOS 7 borrow features from webOS". TUAW. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  148. ^ Prabhu, Gautam (June 17, 2015). "iOS 9 vs. iOS 8: A look at the UI changes in iOS 9". iPhone Hacks. Archived from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  149. ^ "iOS: Force an app to close". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  150. ^ "iOS 7 multitasking". Tuaw. September 18, 2013. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  151. ^ Snell, Jason (April 8, 2010). "Inside iPhone 4.0's multitasking". Macworld. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  152. ^ German, Kent (June 23, 2010). "Apple iPhone 4 AT&T review". CNET. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  153. ^ Hollington, Jesse (June 21, 2010). "Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iOS 4". iLounge. Archived from the original on December 21, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  154. ^ Schonfeld, Erick (February 4, 2010). "Siri's IPhone App Puts A Personal Assistant In Your Pocket". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  155. ^ Wortham, Jenna (April 29, 2010). "Apple Buys a Start-Up for Its Voice Technology". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  156. ^ Marsal, Katie (April 28, 2010). "Apple acquires Siri, developer of personal assistant app for iPhone". AppleInsider. Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  157. ^ Rao, Leena (April 28, 2010). "Confirmed: Apple Buys Virtual Personal Assistant Startup Siri". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on June 23, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  158. ^ Golson, Jordan (October 4, 2011). "Siri Voice Recognition Arrives On the iPhone 4S". MacRumors. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  159. ^ Velazco, Chris (October 4, 2011). "Apple Reveals Siri Voice Interface: The "Intelligent Assistant" Only For iPhone 4S". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  160. ^ Kumparak, Greg (October 4, 2011). "The Original Siri App Gets Pulled From The App Store, Servers To Be Killed". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on August 21, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  161. ^ Purewal, Sarah Jacobsson; Cipriani, Jason (February 16, 2017). "The complete list of Siri commands". CNET. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 24, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  162. ^ Sumra, Husain (June 13, 2016). "Apple Opens Siri to Third-Party Developers With iOS 10". MacRumors. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  163. ^ Olivarez-Giles, Nathan (June 13, 2016). "Apple iOS 10 Opens Up Siri and Messages, Updates Music, Photos and More". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017. (subscription required)
  164. ^ Matney, Lucas (June 5, 2017). "Siri gets language translation and a more human voice". TechCrunch. AOL. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  165. ^ Gartenberg, Chaim (June 5, 2017). "Siri on iOS 11 gets improved speech and can suggest actions based on how you use it". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  166. ^ a b c "What's New in iOS 4". Apple. Archived from the original on June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  167. ^ "Apple's Game Center debuts next week – Game Hunters: In search of video games and interactive awesomeness". USA Today. January 9, 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  168. ^ Holt, Chris (September 1, 2010). "iOS 4.1's GameCenter to Hit iPhone Next Week". Macworld. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  169. ^ "iOS 4.2 Software Update for iPad". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  170. ^ "Game Center". Apple. December 23, 2010. Archived from the original on December 23, 2010.
  171. ^ A. Usman (October 31, 2012). "How to Install Game Center on iPhone 3G [Guide]". Shoutpedia. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  172. ^ Wollman, Dana (September 10, 2013). "iOS 7 will be 64-bit, just like the iPhone 5s' new A7 chip". Engadget. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
  173. ^ Souppouris, Aaron (September 12, 2013). "Why Apple's 64-bit iPhone chip is a bigger deal than you think". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017.
  174. ^ Cunningham, Andrew (July 2, 2015). "The state of the 64-bit transition in iOS, and what's left to be done". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on January 31, 2017.
  175. ^ Cunningham, Andrew (June 5, 2017). "iOS 11 drops the iPhone 5 and 5C and the fourth-gen iPad". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on June 5, 2017.
  176. ^ Mayo, Benjamin (June 6, 2017). "32-bit apps will not launch on iOS 11, Mac App Store transition to 64-bit from 2018". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017.
  177. ^ Cunningham, Andrew (April 13, 2017). "What the death of 32-bit iOS could mean for Apple's hardware and software". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on April 29, 2017.
  178. ^ a b "Jobs' original vision for the iPhone: No third-party native apps". 9to5Mac. October 21, 2011. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  179. ^ Duncan, Geoff (October 17, 2007). "Apple confirms iPhone SDK coming next year". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  180. ^ "Steve Jobs confirms native iPhone SDK by February". AppleInsider. October 17, 2007. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  181. ^ Dalrymple, Jim (March 6, 2008). "Apple unveils iPhone SDK". Macworld. International Data Group. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  182. ^ Block, Ryan (March 6, 2008). "Live from Apple's iPhone SDK press conference". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  183. ^ a b c Guevin, Jennifer (March 6, 2008). "FAQ: What does the iPhone SDK mean?". CNET. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  184. ^ a b Kim, Arnold (March 6, 2008). "Apple Releases iPhone SDK, Demos Spore, Instant Messaging". MacRumors. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  185. ^ Mayo, Benjamin (September 11, 2015). "Apple now allowing developers to submit iOS 9, OS X El Capitan and native Watch apps to the App Store". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  186. ^ Sande, Steven (June 10, 2013). "New iOS SDK features for developers". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  187. ^ Sinicki, Adam (June 9, 2016). "Developing for Android vs developing for iOS – in 5 rounds". Android Authority. Archived from the original on June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  188. ^ Paul, Ryan (September 15, 2009). "MonoTouch drops .NET into Apple's walled app garden". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  189. ^ Dove, Jackie (April 11, 2010). "Adobe unleashes Creative Suite 5". Macworld. International Data Group. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  190. ^ a b "App Store – Support – Apple Developer". Apple Developer. Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  191. ^ Caldwell, Serenity (October 15, 2011). "Up close with iOS 5: Wireless syncing and updating". Macworld. International Data Group. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  192. ^ "About that $20 upgrade..." CNET. CBS Interactive. January 15, 2008. Archived from the original on October 31, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  193. ^ Dalrymple, Jim (February 7, 2008). "Accounting rules behind iPod Touch update charge". Macworld. International Data Group. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  194. ^ Oliver, Sam (June 25, 2009). "Upgrade fee sees few iPod Touch users updating to 3.0 software". AppleInsider. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  195. ^ Foresman, Chris (September 14, 2009). "Accounting rules change could end iPod Touch update fee". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  196. ^ Elmer-DeWitt, Philip (September 14, 2009). "Accounting rule change in Apple's favor". Fortune. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  197. ^ "Infographic: How Long Does Apple Support Older iPhone Models?". Statista Infographics. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  198. ^ "Here's how long Apple supports older iPhone models". iMore. July 3, 2019. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  199. ^ Available in iOS 5 to iOS 7 via General > About > Diagnostics & Usage > Diagnostics & Usage Data >(date and time).panic.plist, after a kernel crash
    Available in iOS 8 to iOS 10 via Privacy > Diagnostics & Usage > Diagnostics & Usage Data > JetsamEvent-(date and time).ips, when low in memory
    Available in iOS 11 and 12 via Privacy > Analytics > Analytics Data > JetsamEvent-(date and time).ips, when low in memory
    Available in iOS 13 via Privacy > Analytics & Improvements > Analytics Data > SystemMemoryReset-(date and time).ips, when low in memory
  200. ^ "Source Browser". Apple Open Source. Archived from the original on February 18, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  201. ^ "The 3-Clause BSD License". Open Source Initiative. May 22, 2011. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  202. ^ "Apple Public Source License, Version 1.0" (PDF). March 16, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  203. ^ Ricker, Thomas (July 10, 2007). "iPhone Hackers: "we have owned the filesystem"". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  204. ^ Healey, Jon (August 6, 2007). "Hacking the iPhone". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
  205. ^ "Apple's Joswiak: We Don't Hate iPhone Coders". September 11, 2007. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  206. ^ a b "What you need to know about iOS jailbreaks - Promon". promon.co. Archived from the original on August 25, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  207. ^ a b c "Types of Jailbreak | iOS Guide". ios.cfw.guide. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  208. ^ Bouchard, Anthony (November 22, 2019). "Understanding untethered, semi-untethered, semi-tethered, and tethered jailbreaks". iDownloadBlog.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  209. ^ Baig, Edward C. (June 26, 2007). "Apple's iPhone isn't perfect, but it's worthy of the hype". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved June 28, 2007.
  210. ^ IPad, MAX (May 6, 2010). "Jailbreaking Explained". IPad Forums. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  211. ^ Kravets, David (July 26, 2010). "U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apple's Objections". Wired. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  212. ^ "U.S. Copyright Office Final 2010 Anti-Circumvention Rulemaking" (PDF). U.S. Copyright Office. July 27, 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  213. ^ Mobile, Know Your (May 19, 2010). "Locked / Unlocked – a definition of the terms Locked and Unlocked from the Know Your Mobile mobile phone glossary". Know Your Mobile. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  214. ^ "AT&T – What are the eligibility requirements for unlocking iPhone?". AT&T. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012.
  215. ^ "iPhone: About unlocking". Apple Inc. Website. March 4, 2021. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
  216. ^ "iPhone: Wireless Carrier Support and Features". Apple Inc. Website. April 12, 2013. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  217. ^ Fleishman, Glenn (October 9, 2015). "New iPhones use LTE on any American carrier, despite the way they're listed". MacWorld. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017.
  218. ^ "Unauthorized modification of iOS can cause security vulnerabilities, instability, shortened battery life, and other issues". Apple Inc. June 15, 2018. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013.
  219. ^ Exemption to Prohibition on Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems for Access Control Technologies (PDF) (Report). United States Copyright Office. October 26, 2012. 37 CFR Part 201 [Docket No. 2011-7]. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  220. ^ "Tell Tim Cook: No more DRM for Apple". Defective by Design. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  221. ^ Anderson, Nate (January 27, 2010). "Protestors: iPad is nothing more than a golden calf of DRM". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  222. ^ "Mobile Devices and the Next Computing Revolution". February 3, 2010. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  223. ^ Bobbie Johnson (February 1, 2010). "Apple iPad will choke innovation, say open internet advocates". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 16, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  224. ^ "Microsoft PR spokesman condemns iPad for being "locked down"". January 29, 2010. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012.
  225. ^ McSherry, Corynne (January 7, 2015). "Sorry iPhone Users: Apple's Dev Agreement Means No EFF Mobile App for iOS". Electronic Frontier Foundation. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  226. ^ "Apple's Trend Away From Tinkering". Slashdot. January 31, 2010. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  227. ^ Steve Wozniak (Interviewee) (January 22, 2011). Campus Party Brasil 2011 – Geek Pride e Wozniak. Fragoso, Victor. Archived from the original on May 12, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
  228. ^ Leander Kahney (January 30, 2010). "Pundits On The iPad's Closed System: It's Doom For PCs, No It's Great". Archived from the original on May 15, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  229. ^ "Mobile Operating System Market Share Worldwide". Statcounter. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  230. ^ "StatCounter Global Stats – Browser, OS, Search Engine including Mobile Usage Share". StatCounter GlobalStats. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  231. ^ Ingraham, Nathan (June 2, 2014). "Apple has sold more than 800 million iOS devices, 130 million new iOS users in the last year". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  232. ^ Rossignol, Joe (January 27, 2015). "Tim Cook: Apple Has Sold More Than 1 Billion iOS Devices". MacRumors. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  233. ^ Kahn, Jordan (January 27, 2015). "Apple announces 1 billion iOS devices sold". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  234. ^ "Apple actives devices 2023". Statista. Archived from the original on August 25, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  235. ^ "Apple iPhone revenue by quarter 2023". Statista. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  236. ^ Saylor, Michael (2012). The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything. Vanguard Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-59315-720-3.
  237. ^ "Android and iOS Squeeze the Competition, Swelling to 96.3% of the Smartphone Operating System Market for Both 4Q14 and CY14, According to IDC" (Press release). IDC. February 24, 2015. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015.
  238. ^ "Worldwide Tablet Growth Hits the Brakes, Slowing to the Low Single Digits in the Years Ahead, According to IDC" (Press release). IDC. March 12, 2015. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015.
  239. ^ "StatCounter Global Stats: Top 7 Mobile Operating Systems on Feb 2015". StatCounter GlobalStats. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  240. ^ Sui, Linda (November 2, 2016). "Strategy Analytics: Android Captures Record 88 Percent Share of Global Smartphone Shipments in Q3 2016". Strategy Analytics. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  241. ^ Rossignol, Joe (November 2, 2016). "iOS Adoption Remains at Lowest Levels Since 2014 as Android Captures Record 87.5% Market Share". MacRumors. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  242. ^ Apple Inc., Newsroom Archive - Apple, Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  243. ^ Mactracker (mactracker.ca), Apple Inc. model database, version as of 26 July 2007.