Hosted by site sponsor WebMate.
iPhone Q&A
Update Published October 3, 2018
All Apple Q&As > iPhone Q&A (Home) | iPod touch Q&A (Home) | iPad Q&A (Home)
To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.
Which iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models support iOS 11? Do some models "partially" support iOS 11? Which are slower running iOS 11 than iOS 10? What about app support?
Please note that iOS 11 was discontinued long ago. However, the below Q&A has been updated subsequently and is quite useful for anyone who is running or who wants to run iOS 11 on a compatible iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.
On June 5, 2017, Apple previewed iOS 11. It was released as a "public beta" on June 26, 2017, and the final version was released on September 19, 2017.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iOS 11 on iPad and iPhone)
Apple specified general compatibility in its original press release, and a few specific details in fine print elsewhere, but additional info also can be quite helpful.
New iOS 11 Features
Apple commonly boasts that each version of the iOS is its biggest ever, and for iOS 11, the company likewise declares that it is the "biggest software release ever."
However, the addition of a file manager via the new "Files" app is a truly huge addition and makes iOS devices running iOS 11 more like a "proper" computer than ever before. It makes it possible to directly access files on the device for the first time without third-party software. It also makes it seamless to access files in iCloud, Google Drive, DropBox, OneDrive, and other cloud services.
In addition to the Files app, other major new features among "hundreds" added to the iOS include:
- Improved multitasking features for the iPad including a helpful new "Drag and Drop" function.
- System-wide dock for the iPad.
- Expanded Apple Pencil support for the iPad (still not compatible with iPhone or iPod touch).
- Augmented Reality for "developers to build apps that let users place virtual content on top of real-world scenes."
- Core ML for improved third-party AI development.
- Apple Pay support for user-to-user transactions.
- Improved Siri including some degree of translation capability from US English to promised "Chinese, Spanish, German, or Italian."
- Enhanced photos and camera software.
- A new "QuickType" keyboard to "flick down" for special characters.
For many power users, the Files app alone will be a reason to upgrade. The improved multitasking features for the iPad also will be appreciated widely.
iOS 11 Supported Devices & 64-bit Apps
Like iOS 10 before it, iOS 11 drops compatibility with some older devices. Specifically, iOS 11 only supports iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch models with 64-bit processors. Consequently, the iPad 4th Gen, iPhone 5, and iPhone 5c models are not supported.
Perhaps at least as important as hardware compatibility, though, is software compatibility. Older 32-bit apps already installed on your iPhone and working properly within iOS 10 will not work after upgrading the iOS to iOS 11. Make sure that you will not be heartbroken -- or lose time or money -- if an older app no longer works.
To find 32-bit apps on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 10.3.1 or later, tap the Settings app and select Settings > General > About > Applications.
The iPhone 5s and later, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 2 and later, iPad Pro models and iPod touch 6th Gen all are supported, but there are some minor feature support differences.
iOS 11 Feature Support & Performance Differences
The major features are uninformly supported by iOS 11, but there are some device specific differences:
- iPhone and iPod touch models don't support the iPad-specific multitasking features, the system-wide Dock, or functionality that requires the Apple Pencil.
- The 12.9" iPad Pro models do not support the "Keyboard Flick" feature.
- The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and later models support H.265 whereas earlier models do not.
- Person-to-person payments and Apple Pay Cash only work with the iPhone SE, iPhone 6 or later, iPad mini 3 or later, iPad Air 2, iPad (5th Gen) and iPad Pro. This feature only is available in the US, as well.
- Appointment confirmation. Apple explains that "when you confirm an appointment or a flight on a travel website [using Safari], Siri automatically adds it to your calendar," but this minor feature only works with the iPhone 6s or later, iPad mini 3 or later, iPad Air 2, iPad (5th Gen), and iPad Pro.
The iPhone 5s, as well as the original iPad Air and iPad mini 2, all of which have an Apple A7 processor and 1 GB of RAM, are not unbearably slow running iOS 11, but they are noticeably slower running iOS 11 than they are running iOS 10.
This video from iAppleBytes demonstrates the performance difference between iOS 10.3.3 (on the left) and iOS 11 (on the right) running on the iPhone 5s:
Accordingly, those with the iPhone 5s, original iPad Air, and iPad mini 2 may prefer to stick with iOS 10 or skip to iOS 12, which is faster.
Identification Help
If you are not certain which iPhone, iPad, or iPad touch you have, these models can be identified externally by Model Number precisely enough to determine whether or not it is supported by iOS 11.
The model number is listed in small type on the back of each device toward the bottom with the exception of the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X models which shipped with iOS 11 by default.
Specifically, these devices support iOS 11:
Apple Device |
Model No |
Although the numbers above are sufficient for determining compatibility with iOS 11, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad models also can be identified in software by Order Number, should the externally listed model numbers be difficult to read or not present. The order number is referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About.
For example, in the United States, this "Model" within the iOS looks like MG632LL/A, which specifically refers to an iPhone 6 (CDMA/Verizon/A1549) in Space Gray with 64 GB of storage sold on Verizon.
Everyi.com's Ultimate iLookup feature can identify these devices by the model numbers above, order numbers from around the world, and by device Serial Numbers, too.
iOS 11 Summary
At the time it was released, iOS 11 was a worthwhile update for the Files app alone for most users and many other improvements were welcomed, too.
However, older 32-bit apps were left behind. If you have a mission critical app that only is 32-bit and hasn't been updated, you may wish to maintain an older iOS device running iOS 10 for use with older apps.
At the time that iOS 11 was released, Everyi.com suggested that those with the iPhone 5s, original iPad Air, and iPad mini 2 -- which are noticeably slower running iOS 11 -- may haved wanted to continue using iOS 10 until security updates effectively required an upgrade or at least carefully consider whether the increase in features is worth the decrease in speed. However, when iOS 12 was released, it made sense for everyone to upgrade to iOS 12. iOS 12 is faster than iOS 11 even on these older devices.
Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices
<< iPhone Q&A (Main) | iPod touch Q&A (Main) | iPad Q&A (Main)
Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.