Updated April 29
• iOS 19 may add a desktop mode.
• The search bar could move to the bottom of the screen in iOS 19.
• Yet another report is claiming that iPhones released in 2018 won't support iOS 19.
• A video claims to show off more elements of the rumored iOS 19 redesign.
iOS 19 won't arrive for a few more months from now, and even then, it will only be in preview form ahead of a full launch in the fall. But Apple's next major update to its iPhone software is already causing a stir, as big changes appear to be in the works.
Recent software updates, like the current iOS 18 version, have certainly rolled out significant additions and improvements to the iPhone. But they've been pretty modest in scope, looking more to build on what was already available rather than revamp the look and feel of the operating system.
That's apparently changing with iOS 19. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, in a report on iOS 19 citing people close to the project, says this year's iPhone software update figures to be "one of the most dramatic software overhauls in [Apple's] history."
There's few specific details on what's changing with iOS 19. But based on reports from Gurman and other claims about iOS 19, we're getting a clearer picture of what Apple may be planning, especially with a firm date for Apple's developer conference — and likely iOS preview — now on the calendar.
Read on for a closer look at what we know about iOS 19 so far.
iOS 19: Rumored release date
As with other unannounced products, Apple hasn't uttered an official peep about iOS 19. However, the company's track record of software updates gives us a pretty good road map for guessing when the new operating system will be ready for your iPhone.
Apple typically previews its planned software releases for the year at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), an annual get-together for app makers. This year's event is taking place the week of June 9, with a keynote feature software previews likely to highlight that opening day.
After previewing planned software changes for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and other products, Apple then releases developer betas for those updates during WWDC. A few weeks later, public betas become available.
With a June 9 WWDC 2025 start date, that would put the iOS 19 public beta on track for a release by the end of the month or in early July at the latest. Apple would then would spend the summer updating that software based on feedback from beta testers.
The full version of an iOS update usually appears just ahead of Apple's fall iPhone launch, which tends to take place in September. At any rate, we'd expect iOS 19 to be ready to install just ahead of this year's expected iPhone 17 launch.
iOS 19: Supported devices
A new iOS version often means the end of support for older iPhones. That happened with iOS 18, which cut off support for devices released in 2017 like the iPhone X and iPhone 8 models.
One report contends that the same phones capable of running iOS 18 will be compatible with iOS 19. That would mean every iPhone from the iPhone XR and iPhone XS/XS Max onward, including any devices Apple releases in the fall. To put it another way, iPhones released in 2018 would still be able to run Apple's latest software update well into 2026, if this report is accurate.
However, multiple reports have claimed that the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR won't get support for the coming update. The latest claim comes from a private account on X, which has the 2018 iPhone models left off the supported devices list. And this same account was reportedly right about iOS 18 compatibility a year ago.
Regardless of how far support stretches back, older phones may not be able to run all of the new features in iOS 19. That's typically of past iOS updates, with some features requiring specific chipsets in order to work.
iOS 19: Rumored changes
Based on Gurman's reporting, the most significant changes coming with iOS 19 involves the software interface. The changes will apparently introduce new looks for icons, menus, apps, windows and even buttons found in the operating system. One of the guiding ideas is apparently to make the iPhone easier to navigate.
But the changes also seem to be motivated by a desire within Apple to offer a more unified experience across its different products. To that end, the interface and design changes reportedly draw on visionOS, the software powering Apple's Vision Pro headset, for inspiration.
We have some idea of what this might look like thanks to Front Page Tech's John Prosser, who showed off a potential redesign of the iPhone's Camera app. In this redesign, the app features translucent menus for camera controls to leave more room for the view finder. You'd toggle between camera and video options, with each one bringing up different settings for things like aspect ratio, styles, exposure and so forth.
Additional iOS 19 images shared by Prosser depict a more minor visual overhaul to parts of iOS 19 featuring a floating design for interface elements like pop-ups, menus and the keyboard.
Other Prosser posts have show off rounded icons and a pill-shaped tab bar that shows up in apps like the App Store, Apple Music and Apple TV. It's smaller than the current version that takes up much of the bottom of the iPhone screen, and it apparently features new animations.
Additionally, the search bar on your iPhone could migrate from the top of the screen to the bottom in iOS 19. The search bar would also remain visible at a times, according to this report.
For what it's worth, Gurman has countered that the iOS 19 image mocks-ups "aren't representative of what we'll see at WWDC." He's also claimed that a lot of the leaks seems to be based on older builds of the software.
Instead, Gurman has been predicting a pretty significant overhaul for IOS 19 — potentially the most significant revamp to the iPhone's software since iOS 7's debut a dozen years ago.
At this stage, it's unclear what that might mean for apps, whether it's new additions to the iPhone or new features for existing apps as part of the iOS 19 update. A report from last year claimed that Apple was postponing many iOS 19 features until later on.
At least one new feature could make the grade, according to leaker Majin Bu — a new desktop mode for the iPhone. According to this rumor, this wouldn't be the iPhone's version of Samsung's DeX feature, which lets you use your phone as a potable PC. Rather, the iPhone's desktop mode would let you connect the phone to an external display via the USB-C port, giving you a larger working area.
As important as the actual features we'll get in iOS 19 are what it'll lead to in the future. Another report from Mark Gurman claims that Apple's getting ready for foldable devices and other new hardware with this big redesign, so we could see the rumored iPhone Flip finally appear thanks to the groundwork Apple's supposedly doing with iOS 19.
iOS 19 and Apple Intelligence
As Apple readies iOS 19 for a public preview, it's still in the process of rolling out Apple Intelligence features promised as part of the iOS 18 release. Some of those features are a part of the iOS 18.4 update, which is currently available as a beta ahead of a likely release in April. But some significant AI capabilities involving the Siri digital assistant are not among those coming changes.
Apple is looking to infuse more intelligence into Siri, with plans to have the assistant better understand your personal context so that it could take more personalized actions. Siri is also supposed to add support in-app actions. However, Apple now says the Siri 2.0 launch has been delayed, with some changes apparently not coming until 2026.
Context awareness appears to be in the plans for iOS 19, with Apple reportedly including its new LLM Siri in the forthcoming software update. That said, LLM Siri may not be part of the initial launch, with that featuring arriving in a subsequent iOS 19 update similar to how other Apple Intelligence features didn't arrive until after iOS 18's initial launch.
We could be in for an even longer wait for a more conversational Siri. That feature's now being tipped for iOS 20.
For what it's worth, Apple Intelligence does figure to play a significant role in iOS 19. Another Gurman report claims that more apps in the software update will take advantage of Apple Intelligence's smarts.
Health tracking might be a major focus of iOS 19's AI features. Gurman reports that Apple is working on AI health coaching features that will use the data gathered by Apple Watches and other connected devices to formulate personalized recommendations on ways to improve your health. The Health app in iOS 19 could also gain food-tracking capabilities.
iOS 19 outlook
Even with a lot of details still to come, iOS 19 sounds like it will be a big change from recent software updates, with Apple devoting a lot of focus on what its iPhone software looks like and how you'll interact with it. We'll see if the changes stop there or if iOS 19 brings additional updates to existing apps. And Apple Intelligence figures to be a major focus as Apple looks to make up lost ground in getting AI onto its devices.
It's a tall order for any company, so expect more details about Apple's plans to emerge ahead of the iOS 19 preview later this summer.
More from Tom's Guide
- Best iPhones
- iOS 18.4 adds a crucial Apple Intelligence feature to the iPhone 15 Pro
- Apple analysts sound alarm on Siri delay — here’s why
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