Apple has already confirmed that it will release iOS 18 on September 16 to all owners of compatible iPhone devices. Even though iOS 18 brings many changes and new features, some users may prefer not to upgrade to the new version right away to avoid possible bugs or compatibility issues with essential apps. For this reason, Apple will allow users to stay on iOS 17 after the release of iOS 18 and still receive security updates.
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iOS 17.7 with security patches
With the release of iOS 18.0 RC (Release Candidate) to the public, Apple has released iOS 17.7 RC to developers and those whose devices are enrolled in the public beta. This update does not bring significant new features, but includes security fixes and bug fixes for iOS 17. iOS 17.7 is expected to be released alongside iOS 18.0 next week.
How to set iPhone to stay on iOS 17 after iOS 18 release
After iOS 18 is released, in the “Settings” > “Software Update” app you will have the option to choose whether you want your iPhone to stay on iOS 17 with the latest security updates or to upgrade to iOS 18.
It is important to note that this is not the first time Apple provides such an option. Last year, the company continued to provide security updates for iOS 16 even after the release of iOS 17. However, after a certain period, these patches were only available for devices that could not be updated to iOS 17. Given seeing that iOS 18 is compatible with all devices that also support iOS 17, it is likely that Apple to stop rolling out iOS 17 updates in the coming months.
The option to keep your iPhone on iOS 17 after iOS 18 is released is useful for users who rely on certain apps that may not be fully compatible with iOS 18 at launch.
In addition to iOS 18, Apple will launch next week and iPadOS 18 watchOS 11, tvOS 18, visionOS 2 and macOS Sequoia, thus offering a wide range of updates for all its major platforms.
