When Did iOS 13 Come Out? | Release Timeline Guide

Looking back at Apple’s 2019 cycle helps you place iPhone features, app compatibility, and security updates on a clear calendar. Many readers still ask “when did iOS 13 come out?” because device hand-me-downs, app minimums, and repair decisions hinge on that date. This guide gives you the date, the beta path, the full iOS 13 timeline, and the standout changes that shaped daily use.

When Did iOS 13 Come Out? Date, Betas, And Rollout

Apple announced iOS 13 at WWDC on June 3, 2019, shipped developer builds the same day, and opened a public beta later that month. The general release arrived on September 19, 2019 for iPhone. iPad moved to the new iPadOS name, with iPadOS 13.1 landing on September 24. A quick iOS 13.1 follow-up for iPhone dropped the same day to polish bugs and finish a few features.

• Announced — June 3, 2019 during WWDC; first developer beta released.
• Public Beta — Late June 2019 for wider testing on supported devices.
• Public Release — September 19, 2019 delivered iOS 13.0 to iPhone.
• iOS 13.1 — September 24, 2019 refined the launch and unlocked items queued for day one.
• iPadOS 13.1 — September 24, 2019 marked the iPad naming switch; iPads no longer ran “iOS.”
• Final iOS 13 Update — iOS 13.7 arrived on September 1, 2020 with Exposure Notification Express.

You can treat September 19, 2019 as the true starting line for iOS 13 on iPhone. That date syncs with the iPhone 11 family launch window and the debut of Apple Arcade. If you need a one-line answer to “when did iOS 13 come out?”, that’s the one to use.

iOS 13 Release Timeline And Version History

This compact table lists the headline iOS 13 versions and the one-line change that most owners remember. Dates are based on Apple’s public releases.

Version	Release Date	Headline Change
13.0	Sep 19, 2019	Launch build for iPhone with system-wide Dark Mode and speed boosts.
13.1	Sep 24, 2019	Polish, Shortcuts automation, and early bug fixes; iPadOS 13.1 on the same day.
13.1.1 / 13.1.2	Sep 27 / Sep 30, 2019	Quick patches for battery drain, backups, and Camera reliability.
13.1.3	Oct 15, 2019	Stability fixes for calls, notifications, and Apple Watch pairing.
13.2	Oct 28, 2019	Deep Fusion on iPhone 11 cameras, new Siri privacy settings.
13.2.2 / 13.2.3	Nov 7 / Nov 18, 2019	App backgrounding and Mail search fixes; general cleanup.
13.3	Dec 10, 2019	Communication Limits in Screen Time, more stable Safari and Stocks.
13.3.1	Jan 28, 2020	Location toggle control for the U1 chip; assorted bug fixes.
13.4 / 13.4.1	Mar 24 / Apr 7, 2020	iCloud Drive folder sharing, new Mail toolbar, CarPlay and trackpad gains (on iPadOS).
13.5 / 13.5.1	May 20 / Jun 1, 2020	COVID-19 Exposure Notification API, Face ID tweaks with masks; security patch.
13.6 / 13.6.1	Jul 15 / Aug 12, 2020	CarKey with compatible cars, Apple News audio; thermal management fix.
13.7	Sep 1, 2020	Exposure Notification Express that let health agencies opt-in without custom apps.

What Shipped With iOS 13

iOS 13 wasn’t just a paint job. It changed the feel of everyday tasks and added privacy guardrails that still set the tone for newer versions. Here’s a tight recap of the things you likely noticed the day you updated.

• Dark Mode — A full theme that reaches system apps, wallpapers, and many third-party apps, with auto-switch by sunset or a custom schedule.
• Speed Gains — Faster Face ID on supported phones and smaller app downloads and updates that trimmed wait time.
• Photos And Camera — A new Photos tab that curates by day and month, richer editing sliders, and portrait lighting tweaks.
• Privacy Controls — One-time location access, background location reminders, and new Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permission prompts.
• Sign In With Apple — A simple, private sign-in option with email relay that cuts data sharing with random sites.
• Maps Upgrades — Improved detail in select cities and the Look Around street view with smooth transitions.
• Reminders And Notes — A rebuilt Reminders app with smart lists and quick type; shared folders in Notes.
• Typing And Memoji — QuickPath swipe typing on the stock keyboard and new Memoji stickers across the system.
• Audio Sharing — Two sets of AirPods or select Beats headphones could listen to one device at once.

For many owners the headline was Dark Mode, yet the privacy changes had the biggest day-to-day effect. Apps now had to ask for background access more often, and you had fresh switches to rein in scanning over Bluetooth. That mix of speed, privacy, and polish set the base that iOS 14 and iOS 15 built on.

Who Got The Update: Supported Devices

iOS 13 drew a line under older hardware. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus stayed on iOS 12, while iPhone 6s and newer moved forward. That split matters for repair plans, trade-ins, and app choices on second-hand phones.

• Supported iPhones — iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, SE (1st gen), 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and iPod touch (7th gen).
• Dropped Models — iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus did not receive iOS 13.
• iPad Switchover — iPads moved to iPadOS in 2019; the first public iPadOS release was 13.1.

If you’re matching an iPhone to an app that lists “iOS 13 or later,” this is the baseline. Phones older than iPhone 6s can’t jump to iOS 13, and that limits current app installs and some services.

Shoppers often meet listings that say a device is stuck on iOS 12. That flag maps to iPhone 6 or earlier. A used iPhone 7, 8, or X ships with iOS 13 or later and can move to newer builds such as iOS 15 or iOS 16. Expect longer app availability and steadier security on those models. For a child, iOS 13 class phones still handle messages, maps, streaming, photos, and tap-to-pay, if the battery is healthy and storage isn’t full, daily apps stay responsive.

Why iOS 13 Matters For Apps And Users

Even years later, the release still shapes daily use. Stores, streaming services, and banking apps often peg their minimums to a version that ensures core privacy and speed features. That is why a precise date matters for buyers and for anyone setting up a backup device.

• Check App Requirements — Many apps target iOS 13 or newer, so an iPhone 6s or later keeps you in the game.
• Expect Privacy Prompts — Background location and Bluetooth access now show clear prompts with options you can revoke later.
• Plan For iPadOS Differences — If you work across iPhone and iPad, note that iPad features moved on a separate track starting with 13.1.
• Use The Speed Wins — Faster Face ID and lighter app packages save time on every wake and update.
• Budget For Security Updates — iOS 13 received patches through 2020, then attention shifted to iOS 14 and beyond.

Developers also changed how they built apps. Smaller app bundles and privacy prompts shifted design choices, and new APIs like Sign in with Apple gave teams a single login option that matched Apple’s rules. That ripple effect still shows up in today’s app settings screens.

Tips To Check Your iPhone’s iOS Version

Not sure which build you’re running? A quick check tells you whether iOS 13 or a later version is installed. These steps use only the stock Settings app.

1. Open Settings — Tap the gray gear icon on your Home screen.
2. Go To General — Scroll and tap General to see device-wide options.
3. Tap About — The top row lists your software version; tap it for the full string and build number.
4. Compare And Update — If your iPhone can run a newer version, back up, then visit Settings → General → Software Update.
5. Find Your Model — In the About screen, note the model name to match device lists.

If you sit on an older build and a critical app needs iOS 13, weigh the jump with storage and battery health in mind. A tidy device and a fresh backup remove most of the friction. If your phone can’t reach iOS 13, you’ll know that an app-level workaround or a newer phone is the only clean path.

Practical Takeaways From The iOS 13 Window

For day-to-day users, the 2019-to-2020 window marks a line: the moment Apple set dark theme as a standard, raised the bar on location privacy, and shipped a steady drumbeat of bug fixes. If you collect or resell older phones, the exact date anchors a valuation. Buyers want the cut where an iPhone still runs modern apps with a clean, responsive feel.

• Match Devices To Needs — A 6s class phone still runs light tasks well on iOS 13; for pro camera and heavy games, step up to newer chips.
• Know The End Of The Line — iOS 13 ended with 13.7 in September 2020, right before iOS 14 rolled out to the same iPhones.
• Keep A Security Mindset — If your daily apps work on iOS 13 today, pin a calendar reminder to review compatibility each year.

That’s the full picture around the timing and the impact. With the dates, the version trail, and the device list in hand, you can answer friends in seconds, make smarter second-hand buys, and set realistic expectations for app compatibility on older hardware.