iOS 15 Now Installed on 72% of iPhones From the Last Four Years

Apple today updated its iOS 15 installation numbers for the first time since iOS 15 was released in September, giving us an idea of how many devices are running the latest update four months after it launched.

iPhones on iOS 15 1 22
iOS 15 is installed on 72 percent of all iPhones introduced in the last four years. 26 percent of devices continue to use iOS 14, and two percent run an earlier version of iOS. When counting iPhones released more than four years ago, 63 percent of them run iOS 15, 30 percent run iOS 14, and seven percent run an earlier version of iOS.

Installation numbers are lower on the iPad. 57 percent of all iPads introduced in the last four years are running iPadOS 15, while 39 percent continue to run iPadOS 14. Four percent run an earlier version of iPadOS. Counting all iPads, including those released more than four years ago, 49 percent of devices are running iPadOS 15, 37 percent are running iPadOS 14, and 14 percent are running an earlier version of iPadOS.

iPads on iOS 15 1 22
Apple splits its installation numbers into separate groups because there are still devices in the wild that are not capable of running iOS 15 or iPadOS 15, but even when counting only devices released in the last four years, the number of devices running iOS 15 lags behind prior operating system installation rates.

iOS 14, for example, was installed on 81 percent of iPhones released in the last four years in December 2020, marking a much higher update rate a month earlier. Even iOS 13, another update that saw slow installation, was installed on 77 percent of devices by the end of January 2020.

iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 had several features that did not arrive as expected when the operating systems launched, such as SharePlay, and Digital Legacy, and other features like iCloud Private Relay remain in beta. People were also put off by Apple's anti-CSAM measures, which have been indefinitely delayed. Key iOS and iPadOS 15 features like digital IDs in Wallet and Universal Control are still unavailable, but could spur people to update when launched in the future.

When iOS 15 was first launched, Apple did not spur people to update and allowed them to remain on iOS 14, offering a choice between iOS 14 and iOS 15 in the Settings app. This could also be a reason why iOS 15 adoption has lagged behind adoption rates of earlier operating system updates, and Apple is now pushing iOS 14 users to upgrade to iOS 15.

iOS 15 used to be listed as an optional update on devices running iOS 14, but now it is front and center on devices that still have iOS 14, and it is the only available update option as Apple has now stopped making security updates available for devices running iOS 14. Those who want the latest security fixes need to upgrade to iOS 15, as all devices capable of running iOS 14 also support iOS 15.

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
22 months ago

Honestly, I've stayed on iOS 14 because I prefer the older cartography on Maps. ;)
Really? Maps in iOS 15 has come a long way. Apple maps continues to get updated by Apple. I'm sure there is more cities roll out on the line in the future. Check it out!

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/12/20/apple-city-maps-update-philadelphia/
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Vol Braakzakje Avatar
22 months ago
Could be much higher if they didnt sell those ridiculously tiny storages of 16GB for way too long.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gator5000e Avatar
22 months ago
I am sticking with 14.8 on my iPads as the home screen layout on 15 looks awful, in my opinion. I will stick with 14.8 as long as I can or until Apple lets us utilize the 14 home screen layout on 15 or they change it back. I have upgraded to 15 on my iPhone Pro 15.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KaliYoni Avatar
22 months ago
If I had to choose a cause for the lagging rate of adoption, I'd say it's the combination of the ability to remain on iOS 14, a broader spread of device generations in the wild compared to past iOS launch periods, and Apple's current reputation for terrible software QA.

Personally, my iPhone is on 15 but I have two iPads and two iPod Touches that are too old to run 15 (I would update them if I could).
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DeepIn2U Avatar
22 months ago

Could be much higher if they didnt sell those ridiculously tiny storages of 16GB for way too long.
Conversely ... considering the whole CSAM push and back peddling a lil too late just weeks prior to iOS15 release by Apple I think the damage was already done. I'm sure many iPad Pro users started with 256GB and up and have MORE of their photos sync'd on there and probably moved pics to ON device storage vs iCloud and thus not upgrading.

Yet yes I fully agree that ridiculou 16GB up to 2020 was just abysmal.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Spinn_ Avatar
22 months ago

People were also put off by Apple's anti-CSAM measures

When iOS 15 was first launched, Apple did not spur people to update ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/07/apple-wont-make-you-upgrade-to-ios-15/') and allowed them to remain on iOS 14, offering a choice between iOS 14 and iOS 15 in the Settings app.
I'm sure these are 2 of the biggest reasons people haven't been quick to update.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...