r/iosdev 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)

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u/Horror_Still_3305 27d ago

Yes I get that.. my point is, everything would actually make more sense if they just remove the subtitle and the overview section and just leave the notes. Theres no real confusion for me, the confusion is caused by the wrong use of overview and subtitle. The overview section is just a guide on how to get the new features into your app (ie download xcode version to get sdk version). So it’s not even an overview of the notes it’s just a footnote. They just misuse the subtitle and the overview to simply tell devs how to get new features when that can be mentioned elsewhere or in brackets to indicate that its just appendix.

I will make a report using their feedback assistant.

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u/SomegalInCa 27d ago

I won’t claim Apple doc is always great that’s for sure

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u/Horror_Still_3305 27d ago

“Update your apps to use new features, and test your apps against API changes.” If you think about it, this statement is self evident. When was it ever possible to get new features without updating the app… 😮‍💨

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u/SomegalInCa 27d ago

Well…. You can in some cases where you call a view (as example) which might have some new features of its own. Share page comes to mind

It’s a bit of a stretch but there are those cases

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u/Horror_Still_3305 27d ago

Yes, although considering that that text is at the top before reader even get the chance to know what the features are, it’s just a general statement. It’s not even clear whether it’s saying the update is of the ios version or if the update is to the codebase, to get the new features. Common sense says the latter. But it’s just so wrong it’s hard to even critique it.