Still on iOS 17.7.2

[MacFanatix]

I’m still on iOS 17.7.2 as of today on my iPhone SE (3rd gen), and honestly it’s been working phenomenally. That said, lately it’s been acting a little quirky, slower types, etc. Now it’s giving me the option to update to either iOS 18 or iOS 26.4.2. I'm thinking about it, so I'm in your same boat. If you upgrade do keep us posted. I will do the same, but almost doing it, like I said it's been acting weird lately.

The main reason I’ve held onto this phone is the small size. I really like the compact form factor. I’ve been thinking about upgrading to the upcoming fold rumor phone, especially since it would still use Touch ID, which I’m a big fan of.

 

[klasma]

Ok, I ask once again, cause the 18.7.8 update is still/again offered on 17.7.2. Anyone here that did the jump from 17.7.2 to 18 and is happy with his/her decision? I really need a positive push, cause I really don't adore 18 and love my 12 Pro on iOS 17.7.2. But since I want to continue to use my 12 Pro I consider taking the 18-path to further get updates for my apps. Brave - my preferred browser - already stated, that the last update was really the last update for iOS 17... 🙁

It’s okay IMO (13 mini), setting aside the Photos redesign (which is unfortunate, but not a dealbreaker for me).

 

[firemenhon]

My 13 mini can only update to iOS 26 , the window of iOS 18 already shut down by apple

 

[klasma]

My 14 mini can only update to iOS 26 , the window of iOS 18 already shut down by apple

Is it really not there if you scroll down past iOS 26? Apple reopened the window with 18.7.8.

 

[firemenhon]

Is it really not there if you scroll down past iOS 26? Apple reopened the window with 18.7.8.

I am just check my 13 mini again , there are only have the iOS 26.4 at the software update area

 

[klasma]

I am just check my 13 mini again , there are only have the iOS 26.4 at the software update area

Just to be sure, the iOS 18 option isn’t visible on the mini screen until you scroll down past iOS 26. Out of curiosity, I’d be interested in a screenshot that shows that it’s really not there anymore below the iOS 26 card.

 

[UliBaer]

The option is definitely there!
You'll have to disable the beta channel and scroll way down *after* the scrolling update text for 26.4.2!

 

[UliBaer]

Ok, I update my secondary Phone first to 18.7.8 - fingers crossed. 🤞

Download will last about 30 minutes, cause I'm not on a fast lane in the moment, only 17.7 Mbits/sec. 😉

Update:
The update worked fine and I'm happily surprised. 😵 😎
Unfortunately the mail and photos apps are a mess... 🤮

 

[firemenhon]

thanks man, how come apple reopen the ios 18 version again ,i check it almost weekly and i didn’t seen it , by the way ,is ios 18 stable on 13 mini too ? thanks again the information you guy let me know

 

[klasma]

The update worked fine and I'm happily surprised. 😵 😎
Unfortunately the mail and photos apps are a mess... 🤮

In the Mail app, if the contact icons are bothering you, you can turn that off in Settings.

 

[UliBaer]

In the Mail app, if the contact icons are bothering you, you can turn that off in Settings.

Thank you, I already found those options and also cleaned out the photos app for usability again! 👍
Meanwhile my daily driver is also successfully updated - so I had to update my signature. 😉

 

[klasma]

thanks man, how come apple reopen the ios 18 version again ,i check it almost weekly and i didn’t seen it , by the way ,is ios 18 stable on 13 mini too ? thanks again the information you guy let me know

Yes, it’s easy to overlook.

IOS 18 is fine on the 13 mini.

Apple reopened it because there were important security fixes and iOS 18 supports all iPhone models that are supported by iOS 17, so it’s simpler for them to only update iOS 18 and let iOS 17 users update to that, instead of also having to provide the important security fixes for iOS 17.

 

[UliBaer]

Apple reopened it because there were important security fixes and iOS 18 supports all iPhone models that are supported by iOS 17, so it’s simpler for them to only update iOS 18 and let iOS 17 users update to that, instead of also having to provide the important security fixes for iOS 17.

Are you sure about that? 🤔
Maybe, iOS 17.7.2 even never had this vulnerability at all? ¯\_(シ)_/¯

 

[klasma]

Are you sure about that? 🤔

No, but it’s the most plausible reason I can think of by some margin. Why else should they do it?

 

[firemenhon]

In the Mail app, if the contact icons are bothering you, you can turn that off in Settings.

is the ios 18 smooth on 13 series’s compare to ios 17 ? is the mail app get really suck? since i consider to upgrade also last time before the window close and unfortunately i didn’t reach , i use the mail and photo app every day , there are some app i can’t update which require at least ios 18 or later ,thanks again for the information man !! 🙏🙏🙏

 

[UliBaer]

For my iPhone 12 Pro I can say 18.7.8 is mainly running smoothly, although it feels a touch slower/more stuttery in some corners as iOS 17.7.2 did, but not a deal breaker so far. 👍 😎

On my SE 2020 the difference is much more noticeable, but tolerable. I personally would prefer iOS 17.7.2, but here we are. 🤷‍♂️

For the "new" unloved features:

In the mail app just disable categories and contact icons and it feels like the mail in iOS 17 - except the new bugs. 😉

In the photos app I disabled all but albums, so it also mainly resembles the 17 photos experience - with the exception of the dumb double scroll down first! 🤦‍♂️

Not that big of a problem, cause I finally replaced photos by Google Photos for the better experience. 😉

[edit] ^that^ was the main cause to install 18.7.8 - it had minimum iOS 18 for install.

 

[firemenhon]

For my iPhone 12 Pro I can say 18.7.8 is mainly running smoothly, although it feels a touch slower/more stuttery in some corners as iOS 17.7.2 did, but not a deal breaker so far. 👍 😎

On my SE 2020 the difference is much more noticeable, but tolerable. I personally would prefer iOS 17.7.2, but here we are. 🤷‍♂️

For the "new" unloved features:

In the mail app just disable categories and contact icons and it feels like the mail in iOS 17 - except the new bugs. 😉

In the photos app I disabled all but albums, so it also mainly resembles the 17 photos experience - with the exception of the dumb double scroll down first! 🤦‍♂️

Not that big of a problem, cause I finally replaced photos by Google Photos for the better experience. 😉

[edit] ^that^ was the main cause to install 18.7.8 - it had minimum iOS 18 for install.

Thanks man for your kindly and detail information , I guess I will update it tomorrow and test it .

 

[UliBaer]

Important additional information:
Right after the install of iOS 18.7.8 go into "Settings -> General -> Software update" and immediately disable automatic updates, or you wake up to iOS 26.4.2 the next morning! 😵

The install of iOS 18.7.8 enables automatic updates again - that's their way to finally force you on 26! 🤮

At last activate the 18 beta channel again to get rid of the annoying iOS-26-nagging.

 

[firemenhon]

Important additional information:
Right after the install of iOS 18.7.8 go into "Settings -> General -> Software update" and immediately disable automatic updates, or you wake up to iOS 26.4.2 the next morning! 😵

The install of iOS 18.7.8 enables automatic updates again - that's their way to finally force you on 26! 🤮

At last activate the 18 beta channel again to get rid of the annoying iOS-26-nagging.

Thanks again , its really timportant reminder 🙏🙏🙏once the auto update work , its will force to devil iOS 26

 

[okkibs]

I’m still on iOS 17.7.2 as of today on my iPhone SE (3rd gen)

iOS 18 works fine on it, animations are just a bit less fluid that it's definitely noticeable but apps continue to open and run as quick as before. The OS and UI is mostly unchanged from iOS 17 (at least not such a radical departure as with liquid...) so if you want a fully functioning iPhone that can run the latest app versions and receives occasional updates I suggest you update to iOS 18 as long as it's still possible.

On iOS 26 the 3rd gen SE still runs apps at nearly the same speed however the UI is really no longer fluid at all and battery life takes a hit too. It's still good enough if you want a simple device for texting and calling that runs and supports the latest version of everything for years to come but compared to iOS 17 and 18 it's just not the same great experience. I wouldn't call it device-breakingly slow so it would be a good version to leave the SE on. It definitely won't run iOS 27 well I can predict that.

cause I really don't adore 18 and love my 12 Pro on iOS 17.7.2. But since I want to continue to use my 12 Pro I consider taking the 18-path to further get updates for my apps. Brave - my preferred browser - already stated, that the last update was really the last update for iOS 17... 🙁

iOS 18 will be the best version for this particular device. The OS and UI are largely unchanged from iOS 17 and there's more under-the-hood changes. Unless you compare the UI side by side you might not even be able to tell whether it's running 17 or 18. It's definitely the best choice for now since app support for iOS 17 is slowly ending now as you have already noticed. I strongly recommend iOS 18 as long as the update is still available. The 12 Pro has enough processing power and memory to easily run iOS 26 as well but I don't own the 12 Pro and I am unsure how fluid the UI still works there.

On my SE 2020

Do not upgrade that to iOS 26 as it breaks the device performance entirely. It still opens apps with delays and if you are patient you can use a browser and go about your daily tasks but it's no fun as everything lags and stutters and battery life takes a hit. It runs iOS 18 well enough but it's already slower on 18 than what most people would prefer for their main device. I bet iOS 26 is the final release for the 2nd gen SE. I just don't see it running anything beyond 26 without major issues. The UI on 26 is already broken on that tiny display regardless as text and icons start to overlap and no longer display correctly some of the time.

 

[firemenhon]

I have already upgrade to IOS 18.7.7 , There are fews question I want to ask for help
1. how can I delete the mail contact , I mean when I read the email which seem there are bold/ highlight the from the sender
2. on the phone app ,and call list which show the contact photo at the left hand side, can I delete it ?
3 .its seem the temp from the phone getting higher than I use IOS 17 .I am just use to play game for maybe 15-20 mins , its seem a hand warmer on my hand
4. the battery seem drop so fast after upgrade to iOS 18 , is it normal ? or I need to wait few days to let it resume normal ? my batter y percentage is 89 right now
5. When I want to send message even on WhatsApp. signal or message app , the emoji icon seem really big at the choosing colum, can I let it become smaller ?
let see will I find out any other problem on my 13 mini . thanks all you guy for the important information , advise and help !!!

 

[txmike418]

Thank you, I already found those options and also cleaned out the photos app for usability again! 👍
Meanwhile my daily driver is also successfully updated - so I had to update my signature. 😉

Would you do it again? I am still on the fence about moving to iOS 18, what happens with photos?

 

[firemenhon]

Would you do it again? I am still on the fence about moving to iOS 18, what happens with photos?

FYR , the photo seem a bit different of sorting , I still can clean it and get to use it , i will not moving to 18 if al the app can still update, I don’t really worry about the security actually , when my mini still running iOS 17 , sometime its will disconnect when charging , I mean charging is on and off , apple told that it’s maybe running to old iOS 17, after I jump to 18, it’s seem don’t happen , but I will still observe for a moment more , wish it’s can help

 

[UliBaer]

Would you do it again? I am still on the fence about moving to iOS 18, what happens with photos?

Yes, I would do it again on the 12 Pro for longer compatibility of apps. I would not do it again on the SE 2020, but I like the better compatibility in the future.

I also find practical no difference in battery life compared to iOS 17. In the photos app there is a major redesign of the UI. I really don't like the new way, but one can configure the displayed categories, favorites, retrospectives, etc. I unchecked everything except albums and now have a very similar UI in photos as 17 had. Only the "double scroll down" to enter the photo stream is a bit annoying.

Finally I wanted to install Google Photos, which is iOS 18 minimum and thereby also having my photos from ~2003 until today, which were not taken with my phone available on it.

 

[txmike418]

Yes, I would do it again on the 12 Pro for longer compatibility of apps. I would not do it again on the SE 2020, but I like the better compatibility in the future.

I also find practical no difference in battery life compared to iOS 17. In the photos app there is a major redesign of the UI. I really don't like the new way, but one can configure the displayed categories, favorites, retrospectives, etc. I unchecked everything except albums and now have a very similar UI in photos as 17 had. Only the "double scroll down" to enter the photo stream is a bit annoying.

Finally I wanted to install Google Photos, which is iOS 18 minimum and thereby also having my photos from ~2003 until today, which were not taken with my phone available on it.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated