Apple shares iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 adoption stats ahead of WWDC25, showing strong update uptake across iPhones and iPads released since 2018.
How Many iPhones and iPads Are Running iOS 18?
Apple’s freshly shared statistics show strong user adoption of its latest operating systems. Here are the key numbers:
iOS 18 Adoption:
- 88% of iPhones released in the past four years
- 82% of all iPhones still in use
iPadOS 18 Adoption:
- 81% of iPads from the last four years
- 71% of all iPads
These numbers are slightly up from last year’s iOS 17 stats and almost on par with iOS 16 adoption rates. It’s a solid showing as Apple gears up to announce its next major software release.
Related: Most iPhone Users Own an iPad, Not a Mac, Survey Reveals
iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 Adoption: Why It Matters for Developers and Users
Adoption rates like these are more than just stats. They influence everything from how developers build apps to how users experience new features.
- Wider Compatibility: iOS 18 supports iPhones as old as the iPhone Xs (2018), and iPadOS 18 runs on a wide range of iPads.
- Ease of Updates: Apple’s over-the-air update process makes it seamless to upgrade, even automatically overnight.
- Security and Stability: New updates mean fewer bugs and better protection thanks to frequent vulnerability patches.
- Developer Impact: A higher percentage of users on the latest OS means developers can focus on building for modern features and APIs.
Another reason for these high numbers: Apple now lets users choose between upgrading to the latest major version or staying on the previous one with smaller updates (like iOS 17.7). That flexibility gives users more control, while still keeping them up to date with security fixes.
With iOS 26 just around the corner, these adoption figures show that Apple’s update strategy continues to work, and developers can confidently build for the latest OS without leaving too many users behind.
Comments