Mobile Phones > iPhone & iOS Everything You Need to Know About iOS 8 By Sam Costello Sam Costello Facebook Twitter Writer Ithaca College Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 13, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Compatible Apple Devices Problems With iOS 8.0.1 Key iOS 8 Features Incompatible Devices Later iOS 8 Releases iOS 8 Release History Frequently Asked Questions Apple introduced hundreds of great new features in iOS 8, like Handoff and iCloud Drive, improvements to the iOS's interface, and important built-in apps like Health. Another significant improvement over earlier versions of the OS involved device support. In the past, when a new version of the iOS was released, some older iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models were blocked from using some advanced features of that version of the iOS. With iOS 8, any device that could run iOS 8 could use all of its features. iOS 8 Compatible Apple Devices iPhone iPod touch iPad iPhone 6 Plus 6th Generation iPod touch iPad Air 2 iPhone 6 5th Generation iPod touch iPad Air iPhone 5S 4th Generation iPad iPhone 5C 3rd Generation iPad iPhone 5 iPad 2 iPhone 4S iPad Mini 3 iPad Mini 2 iPad Mini Problems With the iOS 8.0.1 Update The iOS 8.0.1 update had serious problems. In fact, Apple withdrew it the day it was released. It made this move after reports that the update caused problems with the 4G cellular internet connection and the Touch ID fingerprint scanner on the then-new iPhone 6 series. Apple fixed the bugs and released iOS 8.0.2, which delivered the same improved features as 8.0.1, the next day. Key iOS 8 Features After the major interface and feature changes introduced in iOS 7, iOS 8 wasn't so dramatic a change. It used basically the same interface but also delivered some valuable improvements to the OS and the pre-loaded apps. Important new iOS 8 features include: Handoff to swap data and tasks between iOS devices and Macs. Support for Third-party keyboards. Health app and HealthKit framework. App extensions to allow the sharing of features between apps. Family Sharing for purchases from the iTunes and App Store. iCloud Drive. Touch ID support in third-party apps. HomeKit for smart home/Internet of Things support. Redesigned Notification Center. Sending audio clips in iMessage. AirDrop from iOS devices to Macs. What If Your Device Isn't iOS 8 Compatible? If your device isn't in the table above list, it can't run iOS 8 (in some cases, that's because it can only run newer versions). That isn't entirely bad news. Having the latest and greatest features is always best, but many older devices can run iOS 7, which is a very good operating system. Check out our full list of iOS 7-compatible devices and iOS 7 features. If your device can't run iOS 8, it might be time to consider upgrading to a new phone. Not only will you be able to run the latest OS, but you'll also get a ton of valuable new features like a faster processor, longer battery life, and an improved camera. Not sure what new iPhone to get? We've got tips in How to Pick the Best iPhone for You. Later iOS 8 Releases Apple released 10 updates to iOS 8. All of those releases were compatible with all devices in the table above. For an overview of and details on the iOS's full release history, check out iPhone Firmware and iOS History. iOS 8 Release History iOS 8.4.1 release: Aug. 13, 2015iOS 8.4 release: June 30, 2015iOS 8.3 release: April 8, 2015iOS 8.2 release: March 2, 2015iOS 8.1.3 release: Jan. 27, 2015iOS 8.1.2 release: Dec. 9, 2014iOS 8.1.1 release: Nov. 17, 2014iOS 8.1 release: Oct. 20, 2014iOS 8.0.2 release: Sept. 25, 2014iOS 8.0.1 release: Sept. 24, 2014 (withdrawn due to bugs)iOS 8 release: Sept. 17, 2014 iOS 9 was released Sept. 16, 2015. FAQ When was iOS 8.0 released? The official release date for iOS 8.0 was September 17, 2014. The final update was released on August 13, 2015. How do I update iOS? To update your iOS device, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install. You can also turn on Automatic Updates. How do I know which version of iOS I have? To check your iOS version, go to Settings > General > About > Software Version. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies