The iOS version your iPhone is running on may seem like a trivial detail that’s not worth keeping track of, but it’s actually a must-have for all kinds of practical reasons. Some essential iPhone apps may not be compatible with certain versions of iOS, so you should check before trying to install something new. It’s also important to know which version of the software you’re using to see if the features you need are available for that version. Then there’s troubleshooting your phone. Some fixes only work for specific software versions, so it’s worth checking them before contacting customer support.
Fortunately, this is actually quite simple. The easiest and quickest way to check the iOS version on your iPhone is to go to your Settings app. Then open General and choose About. Your current version of iOS should be listed at the top of the screen, under your iPhone’s name. You can tap on the iOS version to see the new changes introduced by the latest update. You can also see which iOS version your phone is running from your PC or Mac, if iPhone is connected to it.
Other ways to check the iOS version on your iPhone
To find your iPhone’s software version with a computer, you’ll need an app. On macOS Catalina and later, it’s Finder, while on macOS Mojave and earlier, it’s iTunes. Both are already pre-installed on your computer, so all you have to do is launch them. On Windows, you must first download an app from the Microsoft Store. Find Apple devices (this is the app that replaced iTunes for Windows) and install it. Once your computer is ready, follow these steps:
- Plug your iPhone into your Mac or PC with a cable. You may need to use a USB adapter, depending on the cable you use and the ports available on your computer. There are cheap USB adapters on Amazon that you can purchase.
- If you see a prompt on your iPhone, select Trust to allow the computer to access the device.
- When prompted on your Mac, tap Allow to allow your iPhone to connect. You won’t need to do this on your PC.
- Open the appropriate desktop application.
- In the side panel, click on your iPhone.
- Go to General or Summary.
- Under Software, check what the iOS version is. It will also tell you if your iPhone is up to date.
If you can’t find your iPhone in Finder/iTunes/Apple Devices, try replacing the cable, plugging the iPhone into another USB port, and updating the drivers on your PC.
