Apple’s new iOS 13 update is now available to download on compatible iPhones today. The biggest new addition is Dark Mode, which allows everything from iMessage, Photos, and Settings to switch to a much darker theme throughout the operating system.
Third-party apps will be able to take advantage of Dark Mode to automatically switch to darker themes when it’s enabled in iOS 13, and there’s even a switch that can be toggled in the Control Center if you want to adjust from the default white to black at nighttime. The second-biggest noticeable feature is a new swipe mode on the keyboard, which allows you to swipe words for faster typing.
Elsewhere, iOS 13 includes some refinements to apps like Maps, Photos, and Reminders. Maps now includes real-time public transit estimates and a Google Street View-like mode. Photos has some great video editing improvements, including crop, and Reminders has been overhauled with a new design that includes a new today section. Apple has also combined its Find My iPhone and Find My Friends apps into a single Find My app, and the Health app now has a built-in period tracker to predict menstrual cycles.
While the iOS 13 update arrives today, Apple is also introducing iOS 13.1 on September 30th. The iOS 13.1 update will include updates that were originally planned for iOS 13, including Siri reading incoming messages aloud, Siri shortcuts being able to be added to HomeKit automations, and the sharing of an ETA with friends. iOS 13.1 will also coincide with the new iPadOS 13.1 update that will make its way to Apple’s tablets on September 30th.
If you’re wondering whether or not your device is compatible with iOS 13, we’ve included a full list below. Basically, if you bought your iPhone before 2015 or your iPad before 2014, you probably can’t get iOS 13:
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone X
iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone SE
12.9-inch iPad Pro 3rd generation
12.9-inch iPad Pro 2nd generation
12.9-inch iPad Pro 1st generation
10.5-inch iPad Pro
9.7-inch iPad Pro
iPad Air 3rd generation
iPad Air 2
iPad 6th generation
iPad 5th generation
iPad mini 5th generation
iPad mini 4
iPod touch 7th generation
In order to install iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, head to Settings > General > Software Update and then tap “Download and Install” at the bottom of the page. If you want, you can also install the update through iTunes by connecting your iOS device to a computer.
