Will my iPhone or iPad work with iOS 13 or iPadOS 13?

iOS 13 Dark mode
iOS 13 Dark mode (Image credit: iMore)

Today is the big day for iOS 13. This update comes with a whole slate of brand new features, including the much-anticipated Dark Mode, and more. It's one of the biggest releases of iOS yet, and the iPad even got it's own separate version of iOS that is appropriately dubbed iPadOS, which launches September 24.

The separation of iOS and iPadOS is huge, but not surprising, considering all that the iPad can do that the iPhone and iPod touch cannot due to smaller screen sizes.

Still, if you're curious about whether or not your iPhone or iPad can run iOS 13, here's the lowdown for you.

For iOS 13, which is now just iPhone and iPod touch only, you will need one of the following devices:

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 6s Plus
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone SE
  • iPod Touch (7th Generation)

If you do not have one of the devices listed above, then you won't be able to install iOS 13. You'll need to upgrade to a more current device that has the power to run iOS 13.

Files on iPadOS

iPad files (Image credit: iMore)

With iPadOS, you're getting improved multiple window Slide Over views, multiple app windows in a single space, a new home screen, new gestures for text editing and accessing the keyboard, custom fonts, more physical keyboard shortcuts, and a whole lot more. If you want to dive into the full list of big iPadOS features, check out our primer.

As far as devices are concerned, you need one of the following to install iPadOS:

  • 10.2-inch iPad (2019)
  • 12.9-inch iPad Pro
  • 11-inch iPad Pro
  • 10.5-inch iPad Pro
  • 9.7-inch iPad Pro
  • iPad (5th generation)
  • iPad (6th generation)
  • iPad mini (5th generation)
  • iPad mini 4
  • iPad Air (3rd generation)
  • iPad Air 2

If you do not have an iPad model from the list above, then you aren't able to install iPadOS, unfortunately.

iOS 13 launches today, September 19. iPadOS will be available September 24.

Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed.

When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.