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iPhone Q&A
Update Published September 29, 2019
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Which iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models support iOS 12? Do some models "partially" support iOS 12? Which ones?
Please note that iOS 12 was discontinued long ago. However, the below Q&A has been updated subsequently and is quite useful for anyone who is running or who wants to run iOS 12 on a compatible iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.
Apple first previewed iOS 12 on June 4, 2018. It was released as a "public beta" on June 25, 2018 and released in its final version on September 17, 2018.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iOS 12 on iPhone X)
Apple specified general compatibility in its original press release, and a few specific details in fine print elsewhere, but additional information can be useful.
New iOS 12 Features
Although the company declared it to be the "most advanced mobile operating system," Apple otherwise was a bit more humble in its promo for iOS 12 than it has been for several earlier versions of the iOS. Instead of emphasizing hundreds of new features, iOS 12 is promised to "make everyday tasks faster and more responsive." Apple also promotes that:
iOS 12 changes the way iOS users see the world using AR, makes communications fun and expressive with Memoji and Group FaceTime, and with Screen Time, helps customers understand and take control of the time they spend interacting with their iOS devices. iOS 12 introduces Siri Shortcuts, enabling Siri to work with any app, delivering a much faster way to get things done.
Although it may not get as much attention as new features, promised speed improvements of 50%-70% with basic tasks like launching the camera, loading the keyboard, and more responsive typing, are welcomed by all. Apple should be praised for their promised efforts to improve speed not just on new iOS devices, but on older ones going back to 2013, as well.
In addition to performance improvements, major new iOS 12 features include:
- Improvements to AR including multiuser support and a new file format (usdz) to make it easier to develop AR experiences and integrate them into iOS apps.
- Memoji: A knockoff of Samsung's AR Emoji, this feature allows you to create a human avatar inspired by your own appearance or that of someone else.
- Group FaceTime: Originally promised to provide videochat for up to 32 people at once.
- Siri Shortcuts: Makes it possible for Siri to trigger a series of actions with improved integration with third-party apps.
- Screen Time: A collection of tools to help you better understand and manage your time using your iOS device. A particularly welcomed function for parents.
- Additional privacy and security features to reduce tracking and improve password management.
- Promised improvements to Siri functionality and language translation.
For many users, the speed boost along with the improvements in time management, privacy, and security will be the most compelling reasons to upgrade.
Unlike iOS 11 before it, which did drop support for some devices, iOS 12 supports the same iOS devices as its predecessor.
Specifically, iOS 12 supports the "iPhone 5s and later, all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation, iPad 6th generation, iPad mini 2 and later and iPod touch 6th generation" models. A full list of supported devices is below.
However, not all features are supported by all devices. Features only supported by some devices are documented below.
Identification Help (Skip)
If you are not certain which iPhone, iPad, or iPad touch you have, most models can be identified externally by Model Number precisely enough to determine whether or not it is supported by iOS 12. However, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X (and later devices) no longer have an external Model Number listed, which makes specific identification a bit more challenging.
Nevertheless, if your device does not have an external Model Number listed, you still can find it in the iOS "Settings" app under General > Regulatory >.
Specifically, these devices support iOS 12:
iOS 12 Supported Device |
Model No |
* These devices do not have an external Model Number. You can find this identifier on these models in the iOS "Settings" app under General > Regulatory >.
You might also consider using the Order Number for identification, which is specified as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About.
For example, in the United States, this "Model" within the iOS looks like MQ7R2LL/A, which specifically refers to an iPhone 8 (AT&T/A1905) in Silver with 256 GB of storage sold on AT&T.
Everyi.com's Ultimate iLookup feature can identify these devices by order numbers from around the world and by device Serial Numbers, too.
The most important features are supported universally by iOS 12, but there are some device specific differences:
- Memoji: iPhone X and later.
- Camera Effects (within Messages and FaceTime): iPhone 6s and later, 10.5" iPad Pro, 12.9" iPad Pro (2nd Gen) and iPad 6th Gen and later.
- ARKit 2: iPhone 6s and later, iPad 5th Gen and later, and iPad Pro.
- Siri Suggestions for Shortcuts: iPhone 6s or later, iPad 5th Gen and later, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4, and iPad Pro.
In other words, among iOS 12 supported devices, support for these features are as follows:
| Memoji | Camera Effects | ARKit 2 | Siri Suggestions | |
| iPad mini 2 | No | No | No | No |
| iPad mini 3 | No | No | No | No |
| iPad mini 4 | No | No | No | Yes |
| iPad mini 5 | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| iPad Air | No | No | No | No |
| iPad Air 2 | No | No | No | Yes |
| iPad Air 3 | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| iPad 5th Gen | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| iPad 6th Gen | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPad Pro 12.9" | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| iPad Pro 9.7" | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| iPad Pro 10.5" | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPad Pro 12.9" 2 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPad Pro 11" | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPad Pro 12.9" 3 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 5s | No | No | No | No |
| iPhone 6 | No | No | No | No |
| iPhone 6s | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone SE | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 7 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 8 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone X | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone XS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone XR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPod touch 6 | No | No | No | No |
| iPod touch 7 | No | No | Yes | No |
The performance improvement still is noticeable on devices that do not support these features, though.
iOS 12 Summary
As always, when iOS 12 was released, it was wise to wait for a "bug fix" update or two before upgrading, but iOS 12 quickly became more stable and the performance improvement is readily apparent. Accordingly, there is little reason not to upgrade a compatible device to iOS 12 from an earlier version of the iOS.
Even ignoring additional features, iOS 12 is a worthwhile upgrade for speed improvements alone and likely will encourage most of those with older devices still running iOS 10 because iOS 11 was slower -- the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, original iPad Air, and iPad mini 2, in particular -- to make the jump to iOS 12, as well.
iOS 12's improvements in time management, privacy, and security also should be welcomed by just about everyone, too.
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