Apple iOS 16 system requirements: Will it run on your iPhone?

Apple previewed the next iPhone software - iOS 16 - during its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June. The software releases this September, bringing with it a host of new features, such as more personalisation to the Lock Screen, updates and improvements to Mail and Photos, along with plenty more that you can read about in our separate feature.

The big question is will your iPhone be compatible with the new software when it arrives though?

Which iPhones support iOS 16?

Apple's next iPhone software will support the majority of the latest iPhones, though it is dropping support for some compared to iOS 15.

The full list of the compatible iPhones are as follows:

iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XS
iPhone XR
iPhone X
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 8
iPhone SE (2020)
iPhone SE (2022)

You'll notice that the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and the iPhone SE (first generation) aren't on the list and therefore will not support iOS 16.

Apple's latest iPhones will of course run iOS 16, too. Those include:

iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max

Don't know what iPhone you have?

If you don't know what iPhone you have, we have a separate feature that can help.

Check out: What iPhone do I have? Here's how to find out.

Will you get all the new features?

Unfortunately not all users will get all the features that have been announced as part of iOS 16. That's mainly down to the technology found on the device rather than Apple keen to limit what you can do.

Some of the features launching with iOS 16 are only available to iPhones running the A12 Bionic chip and newer. These features include the ability to lift a subject from a background, Live Text for video, Live Text quick actions and Dictation using both voice and touch to type.

Door Detection requires an iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro.

When will iOS 16 be available?

Apple said iOS 16 will be available to all users with compatible iPhone models on 12 September 2022.