Current IOS Version Recommendation – Updated September 20, 2021
This page contains the most current Senior Tech Club recommandations about IOS updates. Look to this page for insight and our recommendations about the latest IOS updates.
The recommendations are simple:
- Wait – Indicates that the recommendation is to wait before updating. This recommendation can change with either a fix release or more information from the marketplace
- Upgrade – Indicates that an upgrade or update is recommended. Enjoy the new features and stability.
The tabs below identify our current recommendations on IOS and iPadOS updates.
IOS Upgrade Principles
The Senior Tech Club has two principles that guide our recommendations on IOS upgrades.
- IOS Upgrades are good and will bring new features, bug and security fixes that are important. We want to upgrade when possible.
- IOS Upgrades will occasionally bring bugs and other unintended flaws and interruptions. We generally like the idea of letting the marketplace judge an upgrade before we upgrade. It’s good to wait a few days before upgrading. This means turn off Auto-Upgrade. See How to turn Off Automatic IOS Updates
IOS & iPadOS Recommendations
IOS 15 was released to the public on September 20,2021. It represents Apple’s latest full update. It includes a number of innovations.
We like to wait for the dust to settle on an update before we recommend that our community move to the latest big release. That time has arrived and we are recommending the update.
In our initial review of the upgrade, the following are the highlights:
- Facetime – Links & SharePlay
- Safari Design Changes
- Focus – Do Not Disturb on Steroids
- Live Text & Visual Lookup
- Notifications
- Accessibility Changes
In total, there are over 300 notable changes to IOS that bring new functions and fixes to your iPhone. Stay tuned to this site for our recommendations.
iPadOS 15 was released to the public on September 20,2021. It represents Apple’s latest full update for the iPad family. It includes a number of innovations.
We like to wait for the dust to settle on an update before we recommend that our community move to the latest big release. That time has arrived and we are recommending the update.
In our initial review of the upgrade, the following are the highlights:
- Widgets to the iPad Home Screen
- Facetime – Links & SharePlay
- Safari Design Changes
- Focus – Do Not Disturb on Steroids
- Live Text & Visual Lookup
- New MultiTasking functions
In total, there are over 300 notable changes to iPadOS that bring new functions and fixes to your iPad. Stay tuned to this site for our recommendations.
IOS 12.5.4 – Recommended Security Fixes for older iPhones and iPads
IOS 12.5.4 – Recommended
This IOS update is for older devices and includes important security fixes that were not specifically identified by Apple. This update is recommended on your older iPhone.
The devices that can support this update are: iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch 6th generation.
Normally the updates for older versions of IOS are for security fixes. As such, these fixes are recommended in order to keep your device secure.
If you wish to learn about the details of this update, refer to Apple Support Document: About the security content of iOS 12.5.4
Learn about our upgrade principles and track our upgrade recommendations online at: IOS Version Recommendation.
Upgrade Recommended!
Additional Information
Apple Support: About IOS 14 Updates
Apple Support: About iPadOS 14 Updates
Apple Support: About IOS 12 Updates – for older iPhones
The Senior Tech Club has extensively covered the topic of IOS Versions and upgrades. The table below lists our Recipes and Nuggets on this topic:
Related Senior Tech Club Recipes and Nuggets
Number Title 
014 How to Perform an IOS Software Update 
013 What Version of IOS am I running? 
N36 How to turn Off Automatic IOS Updates 
N32 Current IOS Version Recommendation – Updated September 20, 2021
