Apple’s iOS 12 now on over 75% of devices; adoption rate faster than iOS 11

A big advantage that Apple iOS devices have over the rival Android platform is compatibility and quick adoption. The standard nature and single-manufacturer use-case of iOS means that the American electronics giant can roll out its new software quickly and effectively to its install base, and the latest version of iOS usually also enjoys a high level of compatibility with older devices. As a result of this, iOS 12 is now active on over 75 percent devices that run Apple’s mobile OS. This is according to data released by Mixpanel, which tracks the iOS install base.
 
That is to say, of all functional iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices, three in four devices are now running on the latest version of the software. The install base of iOS 11 has naturally dropped rapidly in comparison, slipping below the 20 percent mark. About five percent of iOS devices still run versions of the software that are older than iOS 11, representing smartphones, tablets and audio players that are a few years old, but still functional.
 
Apple’s iOS 12, which was fully released alongside the Apple iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, is available to install on devices dating back to 2013, including the Apple iPhone 5S, iPad Air and iPad Mini 2, along with all subsequent devices. This wide compatibility is the reason for the rapid adoption of the latest version; in the less than three months since its release, it’s also the highest used version.
 
Furthermore, iOS 12 adoption has been quicker than that of iOS 11, reaching the 75 percent mark three weeks earlier. This shows that users are becoming increasingly aware of the security and functionality benefits of using the latest software, and also suggests that easier access to internet is helping users update faster.

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