Apple typically releases major iPhone updates in September, with security patches throughout the year
Apple announces new iPhone models and their operating system (iOS) in September each year, usually at an event in early September. The phones ship a week or two later. Security updates and smaller feature releases come out on a different schedule — roughly every two to four weeks — and you can install those whenever they appear in your Settings without waiting for a major release.
The exact dates shift year to year. Apple does not announce the schedule in advance, so "September" is the reliable pattern rather than a specific date. If you need a new phone by a particular time, assume mid-September as a planning point, but check Apple's website or tech news sites in late August for the actual announcement date that year.
Security updates are more important to your device than waiting for the next major version. A security patch released in March matters more than holding out for the September release if a vulnerability affects your phone right now.
Key Takeaways
- Major iPhone and iOS releases happen in September each year, with the announcement typically in early September and shipping a week or two later.
- Security updates arrive on their own schedule — roughly every two to four weeks — and you should install them as soon as they appear rather than waiting for a major release.
- You can check for available updates in Settings > General > Software Update on any iPhone, and the system will tell you if one is waiting.
- Delaying a security update to wait for the next major version leaves your phone vulnerable to known threats in the meantime.
How to check what version you have and when updates arrive
Open Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. Your iPhone will show the version you are currently running and whether an update is available. If an update is waiting, you can install it when ready or set it to install overnight when your phone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
You can also turn on automatic updates so your iPhone installs security patches without you checking manually. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates and toggle on "read iOS Updates" and "Install iOS Updates". Your phone will read and install them when plugged in overnight.
The version number tells you what you have. iOS 18.2, for example, means the major version is 18 and the security update number is 2. A jump from 18.2 to 18.3 is a security patch. A jump from 18 to 19 is a major release, which usually happens once a year in September.
What changes between a security update and a major release
A security update (like 18.2 to 18.3) fixes vulnerabilities and bugs without adding new features. These are the updates you should install when ready because they close holes that hackers can exploit. They are usually small downloads and install quickly.
A major release (like iOS 17 to iOS 18) includes new features, redesigned apps, and performance improvements alongside security fixes. These are larger downloads and can take longer to install. They sometimes change how familiar features work, which is why some people wait a week or two after release to let Apple fix any early problems.
You do not have to choose between them. Your phone will receive security updates for the current major version and sometimes for the version before it. An iPhone running iOS 17 will still get security patches even after iOS 18 releases, so you are not forced to upgrade when ready to stay protected.
Older iPhones and how long they receive updates
Apple supports iPhones for roughly five to six years of updates. An iPhone 15 released in 2023 will likely receive iOS updates through 2028 or 2029. An iPhone 11 from 2019 will eventually stop receiving updates, but Apple has not announced when that will happen yet.
You can find which iPhones support the current iOS version by checking Apple's official support page for that version. Search "iOS 18 compatible devices" (or whatever version is current) and Apple's page will list every model that can run it. If your phone is not on that list, it will not receive that major update, though it may still get security patches for the version it is running.
Older phones that stop receiving updates become riskier to use for sensitive tasks like banking or shopping, because security vulnerabilities will not be patched. This is one reason to consider upgrading if your phone is more than five or six years old.
Why you should not delay security updates
A security update released in March closes a real vulnerability that hackers are already trying to exploit. Waiting until September for the next major release means your phone is unprotected for six months. The risk is not theoretical — security researchers regularly find vulnerabilities in older iOS versions that affect millions of phones.
If you are worried that an update will break something, remember that security patches are usually small and tested extensively before release. A major version update (like 17 to 18) is more likely to cause unexpected problems, but security patches are designed to be safe. The risk of a vulnerability is almost always higher than the risk of an update causing trouble.
If an update does cause a problem, you can usually downgrade within a week or two of the release. After that window closes, Apple stops signing the older version and you cannot go back. But this is rare — most people install updates without any issues.
Planning around major releases if you are buying a new phone
If you are buying an iPhone in August, you will get a phone running the current iOS version (probably iOS 17 or 18 depending on the year). In September, Apple will release the next major version, and your new phone will be may be able to access for that update. You can update when ready or wait a week or two for Apple to fix any early bugs.
If you are buying a phone in October or later, it will ship with the new iOS version already installed. There is no advantage to waiting for the new version to release before you buy — you will get it either way, and you will not save money by timing your purchase.
The only reason to time a phone purchase around an iOS release is if you want to avoid the first week of a major update when early bugs are most likely. Buying in late September or October means your phone arrives with the new version already stable.
What to do if you cannot update right away
If your phone does not have enough storage to read an update, delete photos, videos, or apps you do not need. You need roughly 2 to 5 gigabytes of free space for most updates. If you are consistently running out of storage, consider upgrading to a phone with more storage or using iCloud to back up photos and delete them from your phone.
If your phone is too old to receive a particular update, you have two choices: keep using the version you have (and accept that it will not receive future security patches), or upgrade to a newer phone. There is no way to force an older phone to run a newer iOS version it was not designed for.
If an update is causing problems, restart your phone first — this fixes most issues. If the problem persists, you can try connecting to a computer and updating through iTunes or Finder, which sometimes resolves installation problems. If that does not work, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip a major iOS update and wait for the next one?
Yes. Your phone will continue to receive security patches for the version you are running, even after the next major version releases. However, you will eventually reach a point where Apple stops supporting your current version, usually after one or two years. At that point, you must update or stop receiving security fixes.
Will a new iOS update slow down my phone?
Major updates sometimes feel slower on older phones when ready after installation, but this usually improves within a day or two as the system optimizes. Security patches rarely affect speed. If your phone feels significantly slower after an update, restart it and give it time to finish background tasks before deciding whether to downgrade.
What happens if I do not update my iPhone?
Your phone will continue to work, but it will become increasingly vulnerable to security exploits. After Apple stops supporting your version, hackers can target known vulnerabilities that will never be patched. This is especially risky if you use your phone for banking, shopping, or accessing sensitive accounts.
Do I lose my data when I update iOS?
No. Security updates and major version updates both preserve your data, apps, and settings. Your phone backs up automatically to iCloud, and the update process does not erase anything. If something goes wrong during an update, you can restore from that backup.
How long does it take to install a major iOS update?
Security patches usually take 5 to 15 minutes. Major version updates can take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your phone's age and how much data it has. Your phone will restart several times during the process. Keep it plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi until the update finishes.