New versions of Apple's operating systems generally come with new lists of compatible hardware. Here are what you need to run iOS 16, watch OS 9, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and tvOS 16.
The main keynote address of WWDC 2022 has just concluded, and along came new major releases of Apple software across all categories of device built by Apple. Here's the specific generations of hardware you'll need to run the new software.
iOS 16
The new iOS 16 features the new Lock Screen, Focus, and iMessage improvements alongside new Maps and Apple Pay features.
While previously iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and the final iPod touch were supported, they were dropped this year.
iOS 16 is compatible with these models of iPhone:
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
This means that you will need an iPhone launched in fall 2017 or later to use iOS 16.
watchOS 9
The new watchOS 9 features three new watch faces, new Heart Rate Zone and customizable fitness features, and a new Medications utility.
While previously Apple Watch Series 3 was supported, they were dropped this year.
watchOS 9 is compatible with these models of Apple Watch:
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Apple Watch SE
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
You will also need an iPhone running iOS 16 to be paired to the Apple Watch in order to use the new watchOS software.
This means that you will need an Apple Watch launched in fall 2018 or later to use watchOS 9.
macOS Ventura
The new macOS Ventura brings Shared Tab groups, new Stage Manager, new Spotlight Search design, improved collaboration features, and support for Continuity Camera.
While previously iMac models launched between 2015-16, MacBook Pro models released in 2015 and 2017, MacBook Pro models launched between 2015-16, the 2013 Mac Pro, the late 2014 Mac mini, and the 2016 MacBook were supported, they were dropped this year.
macOS Ventura is compatible with these models of Mac:
- iMac, 2017 or later
- iMac Pro, 2017
- MacBook, 2017 or later
- MacBook Pro, 2017 or later
- Mac mini, 2018 or later
- MacBook Air, 2018 or later
- Mac Pro, 2019 or later
tvOS 16
The new tvOS 16 is compatible with the same Apple TV models as tvOS 15.
tvOS 16 is compatible with these models of Apple TV:
- Apple TV HD
- Apple TV 4K
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation)
This means that you will need an Apple TV launched in fall 2015 or later to use tvOS 16.
iPadOS 16
The new iPadOS 16 features the new Stage Manager, better external display support, reference modes on the Liquid Retina XDR display, and the Weather app.
While previously iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 4 were supported, they were dropped this year.
iPadOS 16 is compatible with these models of iPad:
- iPad Air (10.5-inch, 3rd generation)
- iPad Air (10.9-inch, 4th generation)
- iPad Air (10.9-inch, 5th generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad (5th generation)
- iPad (6th generation)
- iPad (7th generation)
- iPad (8th generation)
- iPad (9th generation)
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, late 2015)
- iPad Pro (9.7-inch, early 2016)
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, mid 2017)
- iPad Pro (10.5-inch, mid 2017)
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, late 2018)
- iPad Pro (11-inch, late 2018)
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, early 2020)
- iPad Pro (11-inch, early 2020)
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, late 2021)
- iPad Pro (11-inch, late 2021)
This means that you will need an iPad launched in fall 2015 or later that uses at least an A9X processor to use iPadOS 16.
To summarize, if all of your Apple devices in the ecosystem are purchased new from Apple in fall 2018 or later, all of them will get the latest software.
