iOS 19 is expected to be released in a few months, starting with a preview version before the full launch in the fall. However, it has already generated excitement due to the anticipated major changes.
Recent updates, such as iOS 18, have introduced notable features and enhancements to the iPhone. Nevertheless, these updates have generally focused on building upon existing functionalities rather than completely transforming the operating system’s appearance and experience.
That seems to be changing with iOS 19. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has reported, citing sources involved with the project, that this year’s software update for the iPhone is expected to be “one of the most significant software revamps in [Apple’s] history.”
There are not many specific details available about the changes in iOS 19. However, based on Gurman’s insights and other reports about iOS 19, we’re beginning to understand what Apple could be planning, especially with the confirmed date for the company’s developer conference — which will likely include an iOS preview.
As is the case with other unreleased products, Apple has not officially announced anything regarding iOS 19. Still, the company’s history with software updates gives us a reliable guide for estimating when the new operating system will be available for iPhones.
Apple usually showcases its upcoming software releases at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), an annual event for app developers. This year’s conference is scheduled for the week of June 9, where a keynote presentation is expected to feature software previews on the first day.
After unveiling planned software updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and other devices, Apple releases developer betas during WWDC, followed by public betas a few weeks later.
With WWDC starting on June 9, the public beta for iOS 19 should be released by the end of June or early July at the latest. Apple will then spend the summer refining the software based on feedback from beta users.
The completed version of an iOS update typically launches just before Apple’s fall iPhone release, usually in September. Thus, we can anticipate that iOS 19 will be ready for installation just before this year’s expected iPhone 17 unveiling.
A new version of iOS often discontinuates support for older iPhone models. This was the case with iOS 18, which ended support for devices from 2017, such as the iPhone X and iPhone 8.
One report suggests that the same devices capable of running iOS 18 will also support iOS 19. This would include every iPhone from the iPhone XR and iPhone XS/XS Max onwards, along with any new devices Apple launches in the fall. In other words, iPhones released in 2018 would remain compatible with Apple’s latest software updates well into 2026 if this information is correct.
However, several reports indicate that the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR may not receive support for the upcoming update. The latest claim comes from a private account on X that listed the 2018 iPhone models as ineligible for the supported devices list. This account reportedly was accurate about iOS 18 compatibility last year.
Regardless of how far back support extends, older devices might not be able to utilize all the new features in iOS 19. This trend has been observed in previous iOS updates, where certain features require specific chipsets to function.
According to Gurman’s reporting, the most notable changes slated for iOS 19 involve the software interface. Enhancements are expected to bring new designs for icons, menus, applications, windows, and even buttons within the operating system. One of the main focuses appears to be making the iPhone more user-friendly.
Additionally, the changes seem to stem from Apple’s aim to create a more cohesive experience across its various products. In this regard, the interface and design alterations are reportedly influenced by visionOS, the operating system that powers Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
Some insights into this potential redesign may come from Front Page Tech’s John Prosser, who showcased a possible update to the iPhone’s Camera app. In this version, the app includes translucent menus for control functions to maximize the viewfinder space. Users would switch between camera and video options, with each mode displaying different settings for aspects like ratio, styles, exposure, and more.
Further images of iOS 19 shared by Prosser illustrate a relatively minor visual update to parts of iOS 19, showcasing a floating design for elements like pop-ups, menus, and the keyboard.
Additional posts from Prosser have revealed rounded icons and a pill-shaped tab bar appearing in apps such as the App Store, Apple Music, and Apple TV. This new bar is smaller than the current version, which occupies a significant portion of the bottom of the iPhone screen, and reportedly includes new animations.
However, Gurman has argued that the iOS 19 image mock-ups “aren’t representative of what we’ll see at WWDC.” He has also stated that many of the leaks appear to originate from older versions of the software.
In contrast, Gurman has forecasted a major overhaul for iOS 19, potentially marking the most substantial redesign of the iPhone software since the emergence of iOS 7 twelve years ago.
At this point, it’s uncertain what this may imply for apps—whether new features will be added to the iPhone or existing apps will receive enhancements as part of the iOS 19 update. A report from the previous year suggested that Apple was delaying numerous iOS 19 features for a later release.
As crucial as the features in iOS 19 are, their implications for the future are equally significant. Another report from Mark Gurman suggests that Apple is preparing for foldable devices and other novel hardware with this major redesign, which could potentially lead to the long-rumored iPhone Flip as a result of the groundwork Apple is supposedly laying down with iOS 19.
While Apple prepares for the public preview of iOS 19, it continues to rollout the Apple Intelligence features that were promised with the iOS 18 release. Some of these features are included in the iOS 18.4 update currently available as a beta, ahead of a likely release in April. However, some notable AI functionalities related to the Siri digital assistant are not included in these upcoming changes.
Apple aims to incorporate more intelligence into Siri, with plans for the assistant to gain a better understanding of personal context so that it can perform more tailored actions. Additionally, Siri is expected to introduce support for in-app actions. Nevertheless, Apple has now announced a delay in the launch of Siri 2.0, with some updates apparently not arriving until 2026.
It seems that context awareness is also part of the strategy for iOS 19, with reports indicating that Apple plans to integrate its new LLM Siri into the forthcoming software update. That said, LLM Siri may not be featured in the initial launch, with those updates possibly arriving in a later iOS 19 release, similar to how various Apple Intelligence features were introduced after the initial launch of iOS 18.
We may also face a longer wait for a more conversational Siri, with that feature now anticipated for iOS 20.
For what it’s worth, Apple Intelligence is likely to play a pivotal role in iOS 19. Another report from Gurman suggests that an increased number of apps within the software update will leverage the capabilities of Apple Intelligence.
Health tracking may become a significant focus for the AI features in iOS 19. Gurman indicates that Apple is developing AI health coaching features that will utilize data collected from Apple Watches and other connected devices to provide personalized recommendations for health improvement. Additionally, the Health app in iOS 19 could incorporate food-tracking functionalities.
Even with numerous details still pending, iOS 19 appears poised to represent a substantial shift from recent software updates, with Apple channeling significant attention towards the aesthetics of its iPhone software and user interaction. We will find out if these changes are the extent of it or if iOS 19 will also bring further enhancements to existing apps. Moreover, Apple Intelligence is set to be a central theme as Apple works to regain lost ground in integrating AI into its devices.
This is a challenging task for any company, so expect more information regarding Apple’s plans to surface ahead of the iOS 19 preview later this summer.