Apple Released iOS 18 Adoption Rate Data: 76% of Devices Released in the Past Four Years Have Upgraded, New Features Expected to Boost Adoption Further

Apple Released iOS 18 Adoption Rate Data: 76% of Devices Released in the Past Four Years Have Upgraded, New Features Expected to Boost Adoption FurtherApple recently updated its iOS 18 adoption rate data via its developer support website. The data, as of January 21, 2025, shows that iOS 18 has a 76% adoption rate among devices released in the past four years and a 68% adoption rate across all devices

Apple Released iOS 18 Adoption Rate Data: 76% of Devices Released in the Past Four Years Have Upgraded, New Features Expected to Boost Adoption Further

Apple recently updated its iOS 18 adoption rate data via its developer support website. The data, as of January 21, 2025, shows that iOS 18 has a 76% adoption rate among devices released in the past four years and a 68% adoption rate across all devices. This adoption speed is roughly on par with last year's iOS 17 rollout. Noteworthy is the slightly earlier release of this year's data compared to last year, potentially suggesting increased confidence in iOS 18's progress.

According to notes in Apple's official support documentation, this data is based on device statistics from transactions on the App Store. This means the figures reflect active users upgrading their devices, not all devices sold. This is crucial for assessing the actual usage of the iOS version, as some older devices may still be in use but inactive within the App Store ecosystem.

Apple also released iPadOS 18 adoption rate data. Among devices released in the past four years, iPadOS 18 boasts a 63% adoption rate, while the overall adoption rate across all devices is 53%. Compared to iOS 18, iPadOS 18 shows slightly lower adoption, potentially due to a lower device upgrade frequency among iPad users or less perceived need for iPadOS updates. This doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of interest in iPadOS 18, but rather a slower update pace.

Apple stated that the upcoming iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 updates, scheduled for release next week, are expected to further drive user upgrades. These updates will likely address known bugs and implement performance optimizations and improvements, thus encouraging more users to upgrade. These minor version updates often resolve issues encountered in daily use, improving user experience and incentivizing adoption of the latest OS version.

Furthermore, Apple plans to release iOS 18.4 in April, which will introduce significant new Siri features powered by Apple Intelligence for compatible iPhones. Apple Intelligence, Apple's latest AI technology, significantly enhances Siri's speech recognition, natural language processing, and contextual understanding. This new feature is expected to deliver a smoother, more intelligent voice assistant experience, further boosting iOS 18's appeal and encouraging upgrades.

However, the Apple Intelligence feature is limited to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, potentially impacting the upgrade willingness of some users with older iPhones. Owners of older iPhones, even if their devices are compatible with iOS 18, may choose to postpone upgrading due to the inability to experience the new Siri features enabled by Apple Intelligence. This reflects Apple's balancing act between promoting new technology and maintaining a consistent experience across different device generations.

iOS 18 is compatible with iPhone XS/XR and later models, signifying a roughly six-year support cycle for iPhones. This highlights Apple's commitment to product quality and user experience, ensuring users continue to receive the latest features and security updates. However, the update frequency within the support cycle, and the introduction of new features, directly influence users' upgrade timing.

In conclusion, iOS 18's adoption rate data demonstrates Apple's significant success in driving user upgrades, maintaining a consistent pace compared to last year. Upcoming updates, particularly iOS 18.4 with the Apple Intelligence features, are anticipated to further boost iOS 18 adoption. However, the device limitations of the new feature may influence some users' upgrade decisions, requiring Apple to find a balance between promoting new technology and preserving the experience for owners of older devices. Future iOS adoption rates will continue to be influenced by various factors, such as new hardware releases and evolving user habits.