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iOS 18 on iPhone 13 (Mini)

K

kirreip

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 11, 2009
162
39
Has anyone installed and thoroughly tested iOS 18 on an iPhone 13 (mini) during the beta phase or since the GM release? Install or not, what's your recommendation?

I'm considering updating, but I'm curious to hear from those who have already tried it on the iPhone 13 (mini). How's the performance, battery life, Carplay and overall stability? Would you recommend installing it now, or is it better to wait a bit longer for further refinements?

Thanks in advance!
 
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I´m on 18 since beta1, no major flaws for me. Battery seems equal to 17, apart from the fact that batteryhealth is down to 85% on my 2 years old mini. Can´t complain about performance, so all good for now.
 
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Thanks for your reply. I’m tempted to take the plunge, despite my usual reservations about iOS updates. Unfortunately, I've had some bad experiences in the past. However, iOS 18 seems to have fewer issues. Well, thanks again for your feedback.
 
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Im in the same boat, I usually don’t update immediately to the latest iOS releases, but I got myself Apple Watch Series 10 and it requires my iPhone 13 mini to be on iOS 18 in order for it to work. So I’m just wondering how it is with the mini.
 
From what I gathered it seems to be a pretty stable release in the last few public betas.

I got the 17.7 update first (just scroll down to the bottom) to get iOS 18 directly...

Anyway, no issues so far with my device (got the same as you), but it's only been a couple of hours.
I did immediately test out the basics (call, face time, messaging, vpn, music, camera/photos/videos, files) and no issues there.

Already customized the photos app (I'm one of the few who seem to like it) and I've also tried tinted and dark mode home screens, with larger icons (no text) and dabbled with some control center customization.

Nice improvements, that have been overdue many years in the Apple garden.
 
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Anyone have an opinion on whether there's any downside/upside to updating to 18 on an M1 iPad Pro while having an iPhone 13 (regular model) on 17.7? Do you lose out on any features/benefits? I'm guessing not since the main thing the devices share is ringing/answering phone/text/FaceTime calls, and sharing the clipboard/bookmarks/passwords via iCloud, but wanted to see. Right now they're both on 17.7 and I'm contemplating updating the iPad.
 
I’m also curious how the new os holds up on older devices. 12 mini here.
I’m more concerned with Apple’s recent history of breaking long relied upon features and horrid UX choices.
 
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Thanks for your replies. Anyone had the chance to test/use Carplay on iOS 18/iPhone 13 (mini)?
 
I’ve decided to wait a bit longer. There are many reports coming in that Mail (once again) is having issues, and CarPlay (also once again) too. The usual problems after an iOS upgrade. I know this is a forum and people primarily report problems in forums. At the same time, this is my work device, and I can’t and don’t want to risk burning my fingers again. This has happened to me several times in recent years, and now I’m sticking firmly to my old rule: wait for xx.1 (although 18.1 is supposed to bring a lot of new features… which is why I might wait even longer this time).
 
So I've given in and installed iOS 18 on my iPhone 13 mini because I have to use it with my new Apple Watch Series 10 and it won't work on iOS 17. First couple of days have been good. Honestly, no changes with battery life, no sluggish graphics, everything works as it did and I am genuinely surprised. It feels like the smoothest release they've done in years, if not ever. At least that's my experience. I have also installed it on my iPad Air 5 and there it's been fine too. Battery really does not seem to have taken a hit at all. I haven't installed MacOS 15 though, as there are reports it's buggy with some video and design software I use, so that's going to wait, but yes, I thought I'd just report back. Hope this helps.
 
I installed ios18 on my iPhone 13 mini last Monday when it was first released, and my performance has been TERRIBLE. Runs very hot. Extremely unresponsive and battery runs out quickly. I have 512 gig with more than half of that free space. Do not recommend updating.
 
I have had the same experience as rishey, while I do not have quite as much free space (203 GB free of 512 GB). I just spoke with Apple support about this and am in the process of taking a full backup to downgrade back to the latest IOS 17 release, which was functioning smoothly.

I will add that some of the new features are pretty nice. I like the added Mac and Airpods Pro functionality and the updated Control Center. I'll be keeping my ear to the ground for some updates and hope to put it back once the bugs are ironed out. I just don't want to cook my battery by continuing to run this version until it is corrected.

I'm sure the next update will smooth things out.
 
18 has been trouble free on my mini, except for CarPlay. Today, I installed the pb of 18.1 hoping that the installer would do the right thing and skip the Ai functions but address the CarPlay issue, but instead I have frustrating slowdowns almost everywhere. My iPad gen 9 is suffering as well. Quite disgusted at this point.
 
AlanMarron said:
18 has been trouble free on my mini, except for CarPlay. Today, I installed the pb of 18.1 hoping that the installer would do the right thing and skip the Ai functions but address the CarPlay issue, but instead I have frustrating slowdowns almost everywhere. My iPad gen 9 is suffering as well. Quite disgusted at this point.
Click to expand...
I'd downgrade back to 18.0 from the beta if I were you. I never download betas on any of my devices anymore as I learnt it the hard way with my 6s that had a tonne of issues when I was testing betas on it back in the day.
 
antonrg said:
I'd downgrade back to 18.0 from the beta if I were you. I never download betas on any of my devices anymore as I learnt it the hard way with my 6s that had a tonne of issues when I was testing betas on it back in the day.
Click to expand...
I’ve downgraded before and it’s a hassle. The more that I’ve rebooted the devices, the better they’ve become. Today, it’s okay.

I have had good experiences with public betas until iOS18. Now, I’ve sworn off going forward. I’ll be like my son who will keep his 15 Pro on iOS17 until after Christmas. 🎄
 
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iOS 18.0 on iPhone 13 Pro
- I'm not a gamer
- I don't use CarPlay
- I've had the iPhone 13 Pro since June 2024
- battery health showing as 100% [more than 100% on Coconut Battery]
- I don't have a benchmark [battery, performance] of iOS 17 vs iOS 18 since I was using iPhone 14 Pro Max running iOS 16.7 prior to switching to iPhone 13 Pro running iOS 18.0 [since public release]
- I mostly use it for YouTube and social media - facebook, instagram, messenger
- To me it seems iOS 18.0 is more power hungry [battery gets lower percent quicker] than iOS 17.6 although as I said, I did not have it long enough for a proper conclusion
- I used it on a few iOS 18.0 beta releases but downgraded when iOS 17.6 was released
- I don't like the Photos app redesign but I am no longer interested in going back to iOS 17.7
- I use more than one smartphone, the other is Galaxy S10+
- For web browsing, I either use my android phone or Windows desktop or 15" MacBook Pro 2015
- Other than redesign of Photos app in iOS 18 and the revamp of Control Center, everything else seems fine
 
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I wonder if the battery usage will be improved by the next point release...
 
I have a plethora of devices at my disposal and have tested and validated 18 on everything it's supported on. No real issues to speak of.
 
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kirreip said:
Update from me: I’ve now updated directly to 18.1 (from iOS 17), and so far, everything is running smoothly, including Mail and CarPlay.
Click to expand...
For me 18.0.1 was a little funny, but still better than the 18.
So far 18.1 seems to be the best. They are ironing stuff out
 
I downgraded my iPad 9th gen to 17 and it became much snappier. I would downgrade my mini13 but my Watches are on 11 which requires iOS18. From everything that I have read, Watches cannot be downgraded.
 
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