What hardware you need to run iOS 16, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, macOS Ventura, and tvOS 16

By Darryl Boxberger

New versions of Apple's operating systems generally come with new lists of compatible hardware. Here are what you need to run iOS 16, watch OS 9, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and tvOS 16.

The main keynote address of WWDC 2022 has just concluded, and along came new major releases of Apple software across all categories of device built by Apple. Here's the specific generations of hardware you'll need to run the new software.

iOS 16

The new iOS 16 features the new Lock Screen, Focus, and iMessage improvements alongside new Maps and Apple Pay features.

While previously iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and the final iPod touch were supported, they were dropped this year.

iOS 16 is compatible with these models of iPhone:

This means that you will need an iPhone launched in fall 2017 or later to use iOS 16.

watchOS 9

The new watchOS 9 features three new watch faces, new Heart Rate Zone and customizable fitness features, and a new Medications utility.

While previously Apple Watch Series 3 was supported, they were dropped this year.

watchOS 9 is compatible with these models of Apple Watch:

You will also need an iPhone running iOS 16 to be paired to the Apple Watch in order to use the new watchOS software.

This means that you will need an Apple Watch launched in fall 2018 or later to use watchOS 9.

macOS Ventura

The new macOS Ventura brings Shared Tab groups, new Stage Manager, new Spotlight Search design, improved collaboration features, and support for Continuity Camera.

While previously iMac models launched between 2015-16, MacBook Pro models released in 2015 and 2017, MacBook Pro models launched between 2015-16, the 2013 Mac Pro, the late 2014 Mac mini, and the 2016 MacBook were supported, they were dropped this year.

macOS Ventura is compatible with these models of Mac:

tvOS 16

The new tvOS 16 is compatible with the same Apple TV models as tvOS 15.

tvOS 16 is compatible with these models of Apple TV:

This means that you will need an Apple TV launched in fall 2015 or later to use tvOS 16.

iPadOS 16

The new iPadOS 16 features the new Stage Manager, better external display support, reference modes on the Liquid Retina XDR display, and the Weather app.

While previously iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 4 were supported, they were dropped this year.

iPadOS 16 is compatible with these models of iPad:

This means that you will need an iPad launched in fall 2015 or later that uses at least an A9X processor to use iPadOS 16.

To summarize, if all of your Apple devices in the ecosystem are purchased new from Apple in fall 2018 or later, all of them will get the latest software.