iOS 13 preview: Should you update your iPhone?

It's the autumn, so it must be time to update your iPhone's operating system. Back in June, Apple announced iOS 13, which brings dark mode (at long last!), swipe typing, major updates to Reminders, Maps, Photos and more, and a new privacy-friendly app sign-in option - and iOS 13 will finally become available to download later today.

There's lots to discuss, but how worthwhile is this year's update, and is it right for you? In our iOS 13 preview we walk you through the design changes, performance tweaks and new features, and help you decide whether to make the update. If you'd like a direct comparison with the current OS, see iOS 13 vs iOS 12.

Note that, at time of writing, iOS 13 has not yet officially launched. The following preview is based on hands-on time with various betas as well as on Apple's demo. We'll update again and give our verdict and star rating once we've used the official public release of iOS 13.0.

Release date & availability

iOS 13 was announced on 3 June 2019 and immediately made available as a developers-only beta; a public beta then followed on 24 June. (Here's how to install an iOS beta.) The final, complete version of iOS 13.0 will be rolled out to the public later today (19 September 2019).

The time of the download becoming available will depend on which time zone you live in. Here are our estimates, based on previous years:

• UK: 6pm, Thursday
• San Francisco: 10am, Thursday
• New York: 1pm, Thursday
• Sydney: 3am, Friday
• Beijing 1am, Friday
• New Delhi 10.30pm, Thursday

Here is how to install iOS 13 once it drops.

Which iPads & iPhones are compatible?

iOS 13 works with the iPhone 6s or later, including the iPhone SE - good news, since rumours before the event had suggested that both the 6s and the SE were in danger of missing out. It also works with the 7th-gen iPod touch. But it doesn't work with any iPads at all, since they are going to get their own dedicated iPadOS platform.

If you're wondering if your iPhone can run iOS 13, check our full list of compatible devices:

• iPhone 11 Pro Max (preinstalled)
• iPhone 11 Pro (preinstalled)
• iPhone 11 (preinstalled)
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XR
• iPhone X
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone SE
• iPod touch (7th generation)

Design & interface

Not a huge amount has changed in terms of overall design language - this certainly isn't a repeat of the earth-shaking iOS 7 update that caused so much consternation.

Look more closely, however, and you'll find a number of changes to the interface.

Dark mode

Most obviously there is now a system-wide dark mode which affects preinstalled apps (we've seen it in Calendar, Home, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Notes, Photos and Reminders) and general OS furniture.

It will also affect third-party apps, but only if the developers choose to implement it - virtually everyone will, but in a few cases there might be a delay before it gets rolled out. The only third-party dark mode we've seen so far is on Slack, where it looks nice but remained a little buggy in a late beta version.

We've been waiting ages for iOS to get a dark mode, which Android has offered for years. Better late than never, though: and if you look beyond the fun novelty of a new black-dominated interface look, the feature should also make iOS more pleasant to use late at night, and less of a strain on the eyes.

We've already had some experience here, since Google Maps for iOS has had a dark mode (which automatically activates at night) for some time. And it's great - instead of looking down and being dazzled by a white interface, then looking back up and having to readjust to the darkened road, the eyes are more easily able to adapt. It will be great to have this system-wide since even when apps are used indoors it's more restful to have a darker interface.

As for how dark mode is triggered, there are multiple methods. You can open Settings > Display & Brightness and tap Dark at the top of the screen to enable it manually. Or you can tap the Automatic toggle below: once this is engaged you'll be given various scheduling options, such as Dark Until Sunrise.