Apple Reportedly Distributing 'VendorUI' Version of iOS 18 to Factories

[MacRumors]

Apple recently started distributing internal builds of iOS 18 to factories and relevant vendors, according to credible information shared on X by a private account with a track record of sharing accurate details on Apple's plans. The version of iOS that Apple provides at this stage is called "VendorUI," and access to it is strictly controlled.

Sent out on an annual basis, VendorUI is a variant of iOS that is provided to factories for quality control testing. Because it has a pre-production version of the iOS user interface that Apple won't publicly unveil until WWDC, Apple is careful about where it is distributed. VendorUI can include references to new features, new settings or changes in branding. Unlike the versions of iOS used by Apple's software engineers, VendorUI often has certain apps omitted, ensuring that only the apps necessary for testing are present.

With every iOS release, Apple develops several different versions of iOS:

• 
  Release – Stock iOS intended for end-consumers.
  InternalUI – Created for Apple's software engineers, often contains pre-production version of the iOS user interface, with unreleased and unannounced features.
  VendorUI – Designed for quality control testing in factories and can contain elements of pre-production iOS user interface.
  NonUI – Developed for hardware engineers and calibration machines, does not feature the standard iOS user interface.
  LLDiags – Intended for use in low-level diagnostics and has no user interface at all except for a simple diagnostics menu (Diags).

The distribution of the VendorUI version of iOS 18 means that we could soon start seeing more iOS features leak because the operating system is available to a larger number of people.

Even without VendorUI, information about iOS has started to come out. We've heard that iOS 18 will have a heavy focus on AI, and there will be new Accessibility features, such as Adaptive Voice Shortcuts and Live Speech Categories. Internal versions of iOS can also contain hardware information, and back in December, we shared details on the iPhone 16 hardware sourced from iOS 18 code.

To learn more about the features that are expected in iOS 18, check out our dedicated rumor roundup page for iOS 18.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Distributing 'VendorUI' Version of iOS 18 to Factories

 

[Spock]

I was thinking that it was a little early but I guess WWDC is just a few short months away..

 

[nfl46]

I was thinking that it was a little early but I guess WWDC is just a few short months away..

84 days left until iOS 18 Beta 1 is released.

 

[orbital~debris]

Ah, so this is an 'Inside the Factory' moment which sort of explains where some of the software feature leaks have originated in years past. Had never heard of the "VendorUI" terminology.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Oooh, I appreciate the breakdown of the OS stages. The LLDiags and NonUI are new-to-me.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

I’m still holding out for the Skankphone app in the public release.

 

[anshuvorty]

How the f does this confidential and proprietary info get leaked? Didn’t Tim Apple recently announce that he and Apple will “double down” on leaks and make sure that such leaks will be tightened considerably?

So much for that promise!

 

[darngooddesign]

I’m still holding out for the Skankphone app in the public release.

Isn’t that Tinder? 😂

 

[darngooddesign]

How the f does this confidential and proprietary info get leaked? Didn’t Tim Apple recently announce that he and Apple will “double down” on leaks and make sure that such leaks will be tightened considerably?

So much for that promise!

Apple often intentionally lets information leak so they can find the leakers.

 

[boswald]

I know it’s trendy to bash Apple around here lately, but I, for one, am very excited for iOS 18.

 

[Dionte]

In know it’s trendy to bash Apple around here lately, but I, for one, am very excited for iOS 18.

You are not alone.

 

[sandlion]

What “factories” is this post talking about?

 

[Verified Whiskey]

Apple is careful about where it is distributed. VendorUI can include references to new features, new settings or changes in branding

The version of iOS that Apple provides at this stage is called "VendorUI," and access to it is strictly controlled.

Well, someone somewhere is losing their job. 😂

 

[darngooddesign]

I know it’s trendy to bash Apple around here lately, but I, for one, am very excited for iOS 18.

Im excited as well

 

[NicosAccount]

I know it’s trendy to bash Apple around here lately, but I, for one, am very excited for iOS 18.

Most people on here bash Apple because they love their products and expect more from them than the average consumer. Criticizing is healthy. With that said, Im also looking forward to it.

 

[bousozoku]

What “factories” is this post talking about?

Those would likely be assembly facilities.

 

[svish]

Waiting to hear about all the improvements this year.

 

[Harry Haller]

Apple often intentionally lets information leak so they can find the leakers.

Apple often intentionally lets information leak to stimulate interest, also.
Keeping your name in the news is one of the pillars of marketing.

 

[darngooddesign]

Apple often intentionally lets information leak to stimulate interest, also.
Keeping your name in the news is one of the pillars of marketing.

Sure, but that’s not what the person I replied to said.

 

[MNGR]

Well, someone somewhere is losing their job. 😂

As far as I read, there are no details that were released.
It's like the rumor about the coming release of the M4.

 

[huggyb]

ohhhh good, now that the Vision Pro has been out for long enough, we get to hear about iOS18 for the next 6 months and every possible thing coming to it (or not coming to it. also might be wrong completely, we'll see!)