| Version of the iOS operating system | |
 | |
 iOS 4.1 home screen | |
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Source model | Closed, with open source components |
| Initial release | June 21, 2010 |
| Latest release |
4.2.1 (November 22, 2010) [±]
4.2.10 (July 25, 2011) [±]
|
| Update method | iTunes through a computer |
| Package manager | App Store |
| Platforms | |
| Kernel type | Hybrid (XNU) |
| License | Proprietary EULA except for open-source components |
| Preceded by | iPhone OS 3 |
| Succeeded by | iOS 5 |
| Official website | Apple – iPhone – New features in the iOS 4 Update at the Wayback Machine (archived June 30, 2010) |
| Support status | |
| Obsolete, unsupported.[citation needed] Drops support for the iPhone (1st generation), iPod Touch (1st generation) and, from iOS 4.3 onwards, for the iPhone 3G and iPod Touch (2nd generation). | |
iOS 4 is the fourth major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iPhone OS 3. It was announced at the Apple Special Event on April 8, 2010, and released on June 21, 2010. iOS 4 was the first version branded as "iOS" rather than "iPhone OS",[1] due to the release of the iPad. It was succeeded by iOS 5 on October 12, 2011.[2]
iOS 4 introduced many features that have since become commonplace, such as folders on the home screen, significantly increasing the number of apps that can be displayed. Support for home screen wallpapers on the iPhone was also added, although limited to newer devices due to animation performance requirements. The operating system also added a multitasking feature, letting apps dealing with Internet calling, location and audio playback function in the background, whereas a similar but more restricted "Fast App Switching" technology enabled any app to be left inactive in the background while users switch to other apps. iOS 4 also added a system-wide spell checking feature, enabled iBooks on iPhone, unified the Mail inbox to combine content from different email providers, and introduced both Game Center for social gaming and FaceTime for video calling.
The iOS 4 update introduced performance and battery problems on iPhone 3G devices, with Apple investigating the matter and promising then-upcoming updates. However, the company became the subject of a lawsuit from an unsatisfied customer over the issues. Around the same time, the release of iPhone 4 and its subsequent antenna problems made Apple focus on unsuccessfully attempting to patch the issues with software updates.
iOS 4 is the final version of iOS that features the iPod app for music and videos on iPhones. Starting with iOS 5, iPhones do not have the iPod app, but instead have the Music and Videos apps, as the iPod Touch and iPad do. It is also the last version of iOS that supports the iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod Touch, up to version 4.2.1 (4.3 dropped support for both devices).
- ^ "iPhone OS 4 renamed iOS 4, launching June 21 with 1500 new features". Engadget. June 7, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ Hardawar, Devindra (October 12, 2011). "iOS 5 available now, makes the iPhone 4 feel completely new". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2017.