Version of the iOS operating system | |
![]() | |
![]() iOS 4.0 home screen | |
Developer | Apple Inc. |
---|---|
Source model | Closed, with open source components |
Initial release | June 21, 2010 |
Latest release |
4.2.1 (November 22, 2010 ) [±] Contents
4.2.10 (July 25, 2011 ) [±]
|
Update method | iTunes through a computer |
Package manager | App Store |
Platforms | |
Kernel type | Hybrid (XNU) |
License | Proprietary EULA except for open-source components |
Preceded by | iPhone OS 3 |
Succeeded by | iOS 5 |
Official website | Apple – iPhone – New features in the iOS 4 Update at the Wayback Machine (archived June 30, 2010) |
Support status | |
Obsolete, unsupported.[ citation needed ] Drops support for the iPhone (1st generation), iPod Touch (1st generation) and, from iOS 4.3 onwards, for the iPhone 3G and iPod Touch (2nd generation). |
iOS 4 is the fourth major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iPhone OS 3. It was announced at the Apple Special Event on April 8, 2010, and released on June 21, 2010. iOS 4 was the first version branded as "iOS" rather than "iPhone OS", [1] due to the release of the iPad. It was succeeded by iOS 5 on October 12, 2011. [2]
iOS 4 introduced many features that have since become commonplace, such as folders on the home screen, significantly increasing the number of apps that can be displayed. Support for home screen wallpapers on the iPhone was also added, although limited to newer devices due to animation performance requirements. The operating system also added a multitasking feature, letting apps dealing with Internet calling, location and audio playback function in the background, whereas a similar but more restricted "Fast App Switching" technology enabled any app to be left inactive in the background while users switch to other apps. iOS 4 also added a system-wide spell checking feature, enabled iBooks on iPhone, unified the Mail inbox to combine content from different email providers, and introduced both Game Center for social gaming and FaceTime for video calling.
The iOS 4 update introduced performance and battery problems on iPhone 3G devices, with Apple investigating the matter and promising then-upcoming updates. However, the company became the subject of a lawsuit from an unsatisfied customer over the issues. Around the same time, the release of iPhone 4 and its subsequent antenna problems made Apple focus on unsuccessfully attempting to patch the issues with software updates.
iOS 4 is the final version of iOS that features the iPod app for music and videos on iPhones. Starting with iOS 5, iPhones do not have the iPod app, but instead have the Music and Videos apps, as the iPod Touch and iPad do. It is also the last version of iOS that supports the iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod Touch, up to version 4.2.1 (4.3 dropped support for both devices).
iPhone OS 4 was introduced at the Apple Special Event on April 8, 2010. At the WWDC keynote address on June 7, 2010, it was renamed to iOS 4 in order to be more inclusive to the iPod Touch and iPad. [3]
iOS 4 was officially released on June 21, 2010. [3]
iOS 4 raised the maximum number of home screen apps from 180 to 2,160 due to the addition of folders. These folders would automatically be named based on the containing apps' respective App Store category. [4] On the iPhone, the ability to choose wallpapers and see them on the home screen was also added, though the feature was notably absent from iPhone 3G and the second-generation iPod Touch due to poor performance of icon animations. [5] Additionally, the iPhone's dock was updated to be skeuomorphic, as with the Dock on the iPad and Mac OS X, and no longer has a grey line underneath it; the icons were redesigned to match.
iOS 4 introduced multitasking. The feature allowed users to switch between apps instantly by clicking the home button two times. It was implemented in such a way that did not cause excessive battery drain. Multitasking was limited to apps dealing with Internet calling, location, and audio playback, while a similar "Fast App Switching" technology meant users could leave an app and enter another, with the original app remaining in the background until the user returns. [6] [7] This feature was notably absent from iPhone 3G and the second-generation iPod Touch due to performance issues. iOS 4 introduced a spell checking feature that underlined misspelled words in red. Tapping on the word would provide a pop-up with a recommended replacement. [8]
The Camera app now supports 5x digital zoom. [9]
iOS 4 introduced iPhone and iPod Touch support in iBooks, which was already included on the iPad. Though not a default app, it was available through the App Store. [10]
The Mail app featured a unified inbox on iOS 4, allowing users to see messages from all of their email accounts displayed together in a single inbox. [11] It also gained support for MobileMe e-mail aliases and multiple Exchange accounts for business users. [6]
iOS 4 added a new app called Game Center, an online multiplayer social gaming network, which allows users to invite friends to play games and to compare their scores on a leaderboard. [12] [13] It was not available on the iPhone 3G. [13]
iOS 4 introduced FaceTime, a videotelephony app that uses the device's camera to allow the user to make video calls with other FaceTime users. [14] This feature was absent from the iPhone 3G, second-generation iPod Touch, iPhone 3GS, and third-generation iPod Touch due to the lack of required features, such as a front-facing camera.
The Safari mobile web browser on iOS 4 added Bing as a search option in addition to Google and Yahoo!. [15] Beginning with iOS 4.2.1, specific words or phrases on a page could be searched. [16]
iPhone 3G users reported performance and battery issues after upgrading to iOS 4. Apple started an investigation of the matter in July 2010. [17] In November, Apple was sued for the issues, with an unsatisfied customer alleging "violating the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, unfair business practices, and false and deceptive advertising", with further allegations that Apple knew its software would cause problems on older models. Apple never responded to the allegations, but wrote in a reply to another unsatisfied customer in August 2010 that updates were "coming soon". [18] [19]
In all versions of iOS 4, the alarm clock in the clock app had a problem in DST when it would go off an hour too early or too late. [20]
Upon its release, some iPhone 4 users reported having technical problems with the phone's antennas. [21] Apple attempted to fix the issue in software with iOS 4.0.1, [22] but failed to do so. [23]
iOS 4 drops support for the first-generation iPhone and first-generation iPod Touch due to hardware limitations, though the iPhone 3G did support iOS 4, despite it having the same processor as the first-generation iPhone. However, the iPhone 3G and iPod Touch (2nd generation) have limited support [lower-alpha 1]
iPhone | iPod Touch | iPad | Apple TV
|
Version | Build | Codename | Release date | Notes | Update type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.0 | 8A293 | Apex | June 21, 2010 [3] | Initial release for iPhone 4 GSM
| Initial Release |
4.0.1 | 8A306 | July 15, 2010 | iPhone only
| Bug Fixes | |
4.0.2 | 8A400 | August 11, 2010 |
Due to all these patches, JailbreakMe 2.0 stops working. | Bug Fixes | |
4.1 | 8B117 8B118 [lower-alpha 2] | Baker | September 8, 2010 | Initial release on iPod Touch (4th generation)
| Feature Update |
4.2 | 8C134 | Unknown | November 1, 2010 [28] |
| Feature Update |
4.2.1 [lower-alpha 3] | 8C148 8C148a [lower-alpha 4] | Jasper | November 22, 2010 [30] | Last version of iOS to run on iPhone 3G and iPod Touch (2nd generation) due to hardware and performance issues.
| Bug Fixes |
All devices except for iPhone 4 (CDMA) | |||||
4.3 | 8F190 8F191 [lower-alpha 5] | Durango | March 4, 2011 | Initial release on iPad 2
| Initial Release, Feature Update |
4.3.1 | 8G4 | March 25, 2011 |
| Bug Fixes | |
4.3.2 | 8H7 8H8 [lower-alpha 6] | April 14, 2011 |
| Bug Fixes | |
4.3.3 | 8J2 | May 4, 2011 | Fixes a bug that caused location to be reported incorrectly [36] | Bug Fixes | |
4.3.4 | 8K2 | July 15, 2011 |
It also patches the latest version of JailbreakMe (JailbreakMe 3.0). | Bug Fixes | |
4.3.5 | 8L1 | July 25, 2011 | Fixes a bug that allowed an attacker in a privileged network position to capture and/or modify data in SSL/TLS-protected network sessions | Bug Fixes | |
iPhone 4 (CDMA) only | |||||
4.2.5 | 8E128 | Unknown | January 11, 2011 | Preview release on iPhone 4 (CDMA). Only available to reviewers, never shipped on release devices
| Preview Release |
4.2.6 | 8E200 | Phoenix | January 31, 2011 | Initial release on iPhone 4 (CDMA), as while 4.2.5 also came with the device, 4.2.6 was the first public version.
| Initial Release |
4.2.7 | 8E303 | April 14, 2011 | Bug Fixes | ||
4.2.8 | 8E401 | May 4, 2011 | Fixes a bug that caused location to be reported incorrectly [36] | Bug Fixes | |
4.2.9 | 8E501 | July 15, 2011 |
It also patches the latest version of JailbreakMe (JailbreakMe 3.0). | Bug Fixes | |
4.2.10 | 8E600 | July 25, 2011 | Fixes a bug that allowed an attacker in a privileged network position to capture and/or modify data in SSL/TLS-protected network sessions [37] | Bug Fixes |
The iPod Touch is a discontinued line of iOS-based mobile devices designed and formerly marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-controlled user interface. As with other iPod models, the iPod Touch can be used as a portable media player and a handheld gaming device, but can also be used as a digital camera, a web browser, for email and messaging. It is nearly identical in design to the iPhone, and can run most iPhone third-party apps from the App Store, but it connects to the Internet only through Wi-Fi and uses no cellular network data, as it lacks a cellular modem.
iOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple exclusively for its smartphones. It was unveiled in January 2007 for the first-generation iPhone, launched in June 2007.
iOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. and was first released as iPhone OS in June 2007, coinciding with the launch of the first generation iPhone. iPhone OS was renamed iOS following the release of the iPad, starting with iOS 4. With iOS 13, Apple began offering a separate operating system, iPadOS, for the iPad. iOS is also the foundation of the newer audioOS and tvOS, and shares some of its code with macOS. New iOS versions are released every year alongside new iPhone models. From its launch in 2007 until 2010, this occurred in June or July, since then, new major versions are released in September or October. Since the launch of the iPhone in June 2007, there have been 17 major releases of iOS. The current major version of iOS is iOS 17, released on September 18, 2023.
The iPhone 3GS, stylised as iPhone 3G🅂 is a smartphone that was designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It is the third generation iPhone and the successor to the iPhone 3G. It was unveiled on June 8, 2009 at the WWDC 2009 which took place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
The iPad is a brand of iOS and iPadOS-based tablet computers that are developed by Apple, first introduced on January 27, 2010. The iPad range consists of the original iPad lineup and the flagship products iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
FaceTime is a proprietary videotelephony product developed by Apple Inc. FaceTime is available on supported iOS mobile devices running iOS 4 and later and Mac computers that run Mac OS X 10.6.6 and later. FaceTime supports any iOS device with a forward-facing camera and any Mac computer equipped with a FaceTime Camera. FaceTime Audio, an audio-only version, is available on any iOS device that supports iOS 7 or newer, and any Mac with a forward-facing camera running OS X 10.9.2 and later.
The iPhone is the first iPhone model and the first smartphone designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. After years of rumors and speculation, it was officially announced on January 9, 2007, and was released in the United States on June 29, 2007.
The iPad 2 is a tablet designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. Compared to the first iPad, as the second model in the iPad line, it gained a faster dual core A5 processor, a lighter build structure with a flat, rather than curved, back, and was the first iPad to feature VGA front-facing and 720p rear-facing cameras designed for FaceTime video calling.
iOS 5 is the fifth major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iOS 4. It was announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 6, 2011, and was released on October 12, 2011. It was succeeded by iOS 6 on September 19, 2012.
Messages is a text messaging software application developed by Apple Inc. for its macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and visionOS operating systems.
iOS 6 is the sixth major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc, being the successor to iOS 5. It was announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 11, 2012, and was released on September 19, 2012. It was succeeded by iOS 7 on September 18, 2013.
The first-generation iPad is a tablet computer designed and marketed by Apple Inc. as the first device in the iPad lineup of tablet computers. The device features an Apple A4 SoC, a 9.7 in (250 mm) touchscreen display, and, on certain variants, the capability of accessing cellular networks. Using the iOS operating system, the iPad can play music, send and receive email and browse the web. Other functions, which include the ability to play games and access references, GPS navigation software and social network services can be enabled by downloading apps.
iOS 7 is the seventh major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iOS 6. It was announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10, 2013, and was released on September 18 of that year. It was succeeded by iOS 8 on September 17, 2014.
The iPad Mini is the first generation, known retrospectively as the iPad Mini 1, of the mini tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on October 23, 2012, as the fourth major product in the iPad line and the first of the iPad Mini line. It features a reduced screen size of 7.9 inches (20 cm), compared to the 9.7-inch (25 cm) display on standard iPads at that time. Its internal specifications resemble that of the iPad 2, including its display resolution.
iPhone OS 1 is the first major release of iOS, Apple's mobile operating system. It was succeeded by iPhone OS 2 on July 11, 2008.
iPhone OS 2 is the second major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iPhone OS 1. It was the first version of iOS to support third-party applications via the App Store. iPhone OS 2.2.1 is the final version of iPhone OS 2. It was succeeded by iPhone OS 3 on June 17, 2009.
iPhone OS 3 is the third major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., succeeding iPhone OS 2. It was announced on March 17, 2009, and was released on June 17, 2009. It was succeeded by iOS 4 on June 21, 2010, dropping the "iPhone OS" naming convention.
The iPad Air 2 is the second-generation iPad Air tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on October 16, 2014, alongside the iPad Mini 3, both of which were released on October 22, 2014. The iPad Air 2 is thinner, lighter and faster than its predecessor, the first-generation iPad Air, and features Touch ID with the height, width and screen size the same as the iPad Air.
iOS 9 is the ninth major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iOS 8. It was announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8, 2015, and was released on September 16, 2015. It was succeeded by iOS 10 on September 13, 2016.
iPadOS is a mobile operating system for tablet computers developed by Apple Inc. It was first released as a modification of iOS starting with version 13.1 on September 24, 2019. Before the release of iPadOS, iPads were released with iPhone OS, which was later renamed to iOS. New iPadOS versions are released every year mostly in sync with iOS, tvOS, and watchOS.