Apple has already confirmed that it will bring iOS 18 to the public next week on September 16. This update comes with a host of new features, but some users might not be in a rush to install it right away due to concerns about bugs and compatibility issues with important apps. As a result, Apple is allowing users to stay on iOS 17 and still receive security patches.
Moreover, along with the release of the iOS 18.0 RC to the public on Monday, the company also released a new iOS 17.7 RC for developers and public beta testers. Interestingly, this update doesn’t seem to introduce any new prominent features but rather focuses on providing security patches and bug fixes for iOS 17. It’s likely that Apple will roll out iOS 17.7 simultaneously with iOS 18.0 next week. Users will have the option to choose whether to stay on the latest security-enhanced iOS 17 or upgrade to iOS 18 with its new offerings. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Apple has offered this choice to users. Last year, Apple also continued to release security patches for iOS 16 for a period after iOS 17 was launched. However, after a certain point, these patches were only made available for devices that couldn’t be updated to iOS 17. Since iOS 18 is compatible with all iPhones that are compatible with iOS 17, it’s expected that Apple will likely stop issuing iOS 17 updates in a few months. Having the ability to choose which version of the operating system to stay on is beneficial as it allows users to avoid certain bugs, especially if they rely on apps that might not be fully compatible with iOS 18 yet.
Alongside iOS 18, Apple will also release iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, visionOS 2, and macOS Sequoia next week. In conclusion, users will have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their device’s software updates and can choose the option that best suits their needs and preferences.
