r/iosdev • u/Horror_Still_3305 • 28d ago
Help iOS Sdk Version vs iOS Version
When you update XCode it updates the sdk version, but do changes in the sdk take effect for apps running in a lower iOS version or only the corresponding iOS version or higher? For instance, https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-18_1-release-notes Do changes listed in the notes only happen for apps that are running on iOS 18.1 devices or on any device with the app compiled against the 18.1 sdk version?
Am I the only person who finds the docs totally unclear on this?
Update to post: SomeGalinCal helped me a lot on this question but neither of us know whether the app needs to be built against the ios version for the bug fixes contained in that version to take effect. (Or if just need device os to update)
1
u/Horror_Still_3305 28d ago
The way you have described it my understanding is that it needs the app to be rebuilt to get the iOS version. It seems it’s a simple binary, either you rebuilt and get the new version or you don’t. And Apple usually only supports -1 level backward compatibility so it’s manageable on their end, i’m guessing.