Almost every iPhone on earth is running iOS 15 (Updated)

LiveText is an exciting feature introduced at WWDC 2021

As Apple prepares to introduce iOS 16, Mixpanel claims 87.19% of all the iPhones in active use globally are now running iOS 15.

Update: Since this was written, Apple has updated its own data to tell us iOS 15 now runs on 89% of iPhones introduced in the last four years, while 10% run iOS 14. Just one percent of those devices have an earlier version of iOS installed. It’s very similar for older devices — as a whole, 82% of all active devices are on ‌iOS 15‌, 14% use iOS 14, and just 4% run an older iOS version.

Apple remains unfragmented

Mixpanel also tells us 10.19% of iPhones are still running iOS 14. The data claims very little us just 2.62% of iPhones make use of systems prior to iOS 14.

The data isn’t completely accurate as it is based on tracking visits to apps and websites that use its own analytics system but does provide a relatively useful insight.

One of the big takeaways, however, is that adoption has climbed 10% over the last ten weeks.

Apple publishes its own usage information on the developer website, but this data is infrequently updated. It tells us that as of January 11, 2022, 72% of all devices introduced in the last four years use iOS 15 with 26% on iOS 14 and 2% using an earlier OS.

In terms of global use, Apple says 63% of all devices use iOS 15 with 30% on iOS 14 and 7% running something older – though the adoption spike detected by Mixpanel suggests this information desperately needs updating.

Comparing the data

Mixpanel data for January 11 (when Apple published its data) showed 69.76% running iOS 15, 26.29% on iOS 14 and 3.95% on older versions of iOS. That doesn’t tell us much but does give some insight into the two sets of data.

Many felt that iOS 15 lagged a little in terms of adoption, in part out of user resistance to Apple’s CSAM measures, but also reflecting some bugs. This seems to have changed over time as bugs get fixed and new features continued to reach iOS 15. Tap to Pay will no doubt drive a second spike as those systems come on stream.

Apple retains the prize of a non-fragmented operating system in contrast to main competitor, Android. The company will begin its attempt to woo developers to iOS 16 next week at WWDC.

Among other improvements, this may bring an always on Lockscreen and new Apple apps.

The company will make the iOS available to developers first and will then begin to distribute it across its Public Beta Testing Scheme.

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