List of built-in iOS apps
creates numerous apps for iOS that come pre-installed or are included through system updates. Several of the default apps found on iOS have counterparts on Apple's other operating systems such as macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, which are often modified versions of or similar to the iOS application. As each app is integrated into the operating system itself, they often feature greater support for system features than third-party alternatives and are quick to adapt new features of iOS.
Apple has also included versions of iWork, iMovie, and GarageBand for free with new device activations since the release of iOS 7; however, these apps are maintained independently from the operating system, with updates instead released through the App Store. Since iOS 10, most pre-installed apps have been removable by choice. With iOS 14 or later, as well as iPadOS 15 or later, users can hide pre-installed apps in the newly introduced App Library, as well as change their default web browser and email client to a third-party alternative. And with iOS 18.2 or later, Apple expanded the default apps that users can change to include apps such as messaging apps, password managers, and more.
Applications are listed below based on Apple's App Store developer page.
Applications
App Store
The App Store is a digital distribution platform which allows users to browse and download apps developed with Apple's iOS Software Development Kit. The App Store opened on July 10, 2008, with the release of IPhone OS 2, launching with 500 applications available. The number of apps peaked at around 2.2 million in 2017, but declined slightly over the next few years as Apple began a process to remove old apps or 32-bit apps that do not function as intended or that don't follow current app guidelines. As of 2020, the store features around 1.8 million apps. On September 19, 2019, Apple Arcade, a gaming subscription service that provides unlimited access to a catalogue of games for a monthly fee, was released through a dedicated tab on the App Store.Books
Books, formerly iBooks, is an e-book reading and store app released in mid-2010, as part of the iOS 4 update. Initially, iBooks was not pre-loaded onto iOS devices, but users could install it free of charge from the App Store. With the release of iOS 8, it became an integrated app. It primarily receives EPUB content from the Apple Books store, but users can also add their own EPUB and Portable Document Format files via data synchronization with iTunes. Additionally, the files can be downloaded to Apple Books through Safari or Apple Mail. It is also capable of displaying e-books that incorporate multimedia. Books has also expanded to allow the purchase and listening of audiobooks through the app. Reading goals can be set which encourage users to read for an amount of time each day.Calculator
Calculator is a basic calculator app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007. The standard mode includes a number pad, buttons for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. The app also contains a scientific calculator, with support for exponents and trigonometric functions. With iOS 18, Apple added support for unit conversions and introduced a Math Notes feature which supports more advanced maths like graphs.Calendar
Calendar is a personal calendar app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007. It tracks events and appointments added by the user and includes various holidays depending on the location the phone is set to as well as birthdays from contacts. Users are also able to subscribe to other calendars from friends or third parties. Since iOS 5, Calendar supports online cloud backup of calendars using Apple's iCloud service, or synchronization with other calendar services, including Google Calendar and Microsoft Exchange Server. With iOS 18, users can see reminders in the calendar app as well.Camera
Camera is a photo and video taking app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007. Photos can be taken with flash or with filters applied, as well as a timer option which will take a photo after three seconds have passed since hitting the capture button. The ability to record video footage was introduced in iPhone OS 3 and has since been updated so that videos can be filmed in time-lapse or slow motion. On the iPhone 7 Plus and above, photos can be taken in 'portrait mode', which creates a depth effect so that the subject is in focus while the background is blurred. The camera is also capable of creating panoramic images. On iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone SE with iOS 13 or iPhone XR and iPhone XS or later on iOS 14 or later, the camera app was redesigned with a new font and a new UI for controls.Clock
Clock is a timekeeping app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007. It allows users to view the current time in locations around the world, set alarms and timers, and use their phone as a stopwatch. Alarms and timers will play a chime once completed, which the user can choose from their ringtone library. A bedtime feature was introduced in iOS 10, which acts as a special alarm in which the user sets both a time they would like to go to bed and a time they would like to wake up. A notification is sent to the user before their set bedtime and the phone is automatically placed into Do Not Disturb mode until morning.Compass
Compass is a simple navigation app featuring a compass that was introduced with iPhone OS 3 on June 17, 2009. It displays the user's direction on a compass rose, as well as their current geographical coordinates, location, and altitude. The app is exclusive to iPhone, but it could be installed onto iPad devices through jailbreaking.Contacts
Contacts is an address book app that was first included as part of the Phone app with the launch of the original iPhone in 2007 but was split off into a standalone application with the release of iPhone OS 2. Contacts can be synchronized over iCloud and other online address book services and allows for the storage of names, phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, job titles, birthdays, and social media usernames.FaceTime
FaceTime is a videotelephony app available on supported iOS devices running iOS 4 and later which allows for video calls between participants using any camera of their device. FaceTime Audio, an audio-only version, is available on any iOS device that supports iOS 7 or newer. In 2018, Apple added group video and audio support to FaceTime which can support up to 32 people alongside the release of iOS 12. With iOS 15, users are able to share and watch music and video content together over FaceTime with SharePlay. With iOS 17, users can leave a video message if someones does not pick up a FaceTime call. Apple has recently introduced a feature that allows Android users to join FaceTime calls via a link shared by someone on an Apple device.Files
Files is a file management app for devices that run iOS 11 and later. Files allows users to browse local files stored within apps, as well as files stored in cloud storage services, including iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. With iOS 13, it gained the ability to access external drives, but it was not until iOS 17 that it could rename and erase them. Files allows for the saving, opening and organization of files, including placement into structured folders and sub-folders. Further organization can be done through the use of color-coded or custom-named tags, and a persistent search bar allows for finding files inside folders, though not inside other apps. The app also allows for the compression and decompression of ZIP archives, as well as the exclusive playback of high-quality FLAC audio files and limited support for video.Before iOS 26, Files would also open PDF and digital image files. This functionality was later moved into the standalone Preview app.
Find My
Find My is an app and service that enables users to track the locations of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, AirPods, AirTags and accessories compatible with the Find My network. The app was first released with iOS 13 on September 19, 2019, and combines both the Find My iPhone and Find My Friends apps. Missing devices can be made to play a sound at maximum volume, flagged as lost and locked with a passcode, or remotely erased. Users are also able to share their GPS locations with friends and family who own Apple devices of their own and can set notifications for when a person arrives or leaves a destination. For select iPhone models, users can share their location via a satellite connection when there is no Wi-Fi connection or cell service available. With iOS 14.3, Find My gained the ability to track items with AirTags, as well various third-party items that support the Find My network.Fitness
Fitness, formerly Activity, is an exercise tracking companion app available on iPhones running iOS 8.2 or above for users with a connected Apple Watch, or on any device running iOS 16. The app displays a summary view of user's recorded workouts from the Apple Watch or supported third-party apps and exercise equipment. Workouts in the fitness app show relevant metrics, such as heart rate, depending on the type of exercise, and after an 180-day period, the app will show users their exercise trends averaged over the present and past rolling 90-day windows.On December 14, 2020, Apple Fitness+, a guided workout video streaming service, was made available through the Fitness app.