Version Updates

For information about updates to Apple OS and Xcode versions, as well as Loop, and Trio, click the links below:

iOS / Apple Updates

We recommend that all loopers treat their phone as a medical device.  Please exercise caution when updating your phone’s iOS, especially for a major update such as iOS 17 to 18.  Minor updates are typically less problematic, but we test every update to be sure.  Auto updates should be off.

Turn off auto-update

Do not set your Loop phone to auto-update the iOS version when using Mac-Xcode build. 

In iPhone Settings, go to General / Software Update / Automatic Updates.

  1. Turn on “Automatic Downloads”
  2. Turn off “Automatic Updates”

Once you upgrade the iOS, it can be very difficult (sometimes impossible) to downgrade. Create a backup just in case.

It’s a good idea to do the same on your computer.  Both the operating system and Xcode should have auto-update turned off. But please, update as soon as the all-clear is sounded.  Updates can provide very important security fixes as well as nifty new features.

What are the latest “tested” versions?

The Version of macOS and Xcode that you need are based on your phone’s iOS.  These Versions have been tested to operate and build Loop-main, Loop-dev, LoopFollow, LoopCaregiver, and Trio.  This table includes the latest tested versions of iOS, along with the compatible minimum Xcode and macOS versions.

Latest Tested Version of
iOS [Release Date] 		 Minimum Xcode [Release Date]  Minimum OS 
[Release Date]

iOS 18.3.1

[10 February 2025]

Xcode 16.2

[11 December 2024]

Sonoma 14.6

[29 July 2024]

 

iOS 16.7.7
[21 March 2024]

Xcode 14.3
[1 June 2023]

15.2 is latest tested version

 macOS Ventura 13

    iOS 15.8

    If you have an iPhone 6s, 7, or 1st generation SE, iOS 15.8 is all that shows up as available.  Apple has announced they will not support those phones with iOS 16.  You can still build Loop with iOS 15.8 and those phones, but you should be on the lookout for an upgrade because it’s unusual for Loop’s developers to continue to maintain functionality for iOS that is 2 versions behind.

    What about older versions of iOS?

    To see what version of macOS and Xcode will work with your older iOS, check out LoopDocs.

     Updating from iOS 17.x to 18.x

    When it’s time to update your iOS, your very FIRST STEP is to back-up your phone before undertaking a major iOS release so that you can revert back to your earlier version of iOS if needed.

    Mac Users

    Plug the iPhone into your Mac.
    Open a new Finder window (choose File > New Finder Window, or press Command-N).
    In the sidebar at left, select your iPhone under Locations.
    If you want to encrypt the data, click the Encrypt local backup checkbox and set a password.
    In the General tab, click Back Up Now.
    Click Manage Backups.
    Right-click (or Control-click) the backup you made and choose Archive

    PC-USers

    Open iTunes
    Plug the iPhone into your Windows computer.
    In iTunes, click the iPhone button at the top left.
    Click Summary.
    If you want to encrypt the data, click the Encrypt local backup option and set a password.
    Click Back Up Now.
    Click Manage Backups.
    Right-click the backup you made and choose Archive to protect the backup from being overwritten by the next local backup or automatically deleted if the computer is low on space.

    Your SECOND STEP is to choose a time when you can be loopless for up to 45 minutes.

    A major iOS update might take 45 minutes to complete – don’t panic, plan ahead and be patient. In other words, don’t do the update right before you need to bolus for a meal.  The update involves the following automated steps:

    1. Automatic reboot of phone when updating
    2. Indexing process that happens (by Apple) with the transition from iOS 17 to 18
    3. Apple Health and Loop will not open until this indexing completes

    Do I need to rebuild before I update my phone iOS?

    Be prepared to rebuild whenever you update your phone iOS – especially for major updates. Whether you need to rebuild first depends upon which iOS you are upgrading from and your build method:

    • For Mac-Xcode build method, update your macOS and Xcode before you update your phone iOS
    • If your Mac can’t update to macOS 14.5 or higher, use the Browser Build method

    Mac-Xcode Builders Only

    Should I update to iOS18.0 or higher?

    Yes!  You should update.  iOS 18 is recommended.

    Your Mac must be capable of running macOS 16 or greater.

    How to build Loop to an iOS 18.0 or higher phone

    1. Update your macOS to macOS 15 or greater
    2. Download Xcode 16.0 or greater
    3. Use the Build Select Script to download fresh Loop code and rebuild

    If you find that your macOS won’t update, then a Browser Build is for you.

    Developer Mode

    This has gotten more complicated recently. Please refer to the LoopDocs write-up on Developer Mode.

    Loop Updates

    WARNING: If you are running dev for any reason and are not a developer or serious tester: change to main immediately. Really big changes are expected to appear in the dev branch with no warning. All improvements previously in dev are included in Loop 3.4.4.   

    Loop Recent Release History

    • Loop 3.4.4 was released on 12-October-2024, see details here.
      • Fixes the expiration date for GitHub build actions and for Mac-Xcode builds
      • Loop 3.4.4 was initially released on 9-October, but inadvertently removed the improvements from v3.4.3.  If you built Loop 3.4.4 between 9-October and 12-October, be sure to update to the latest version
    • Loop 3.4.3 was released on 6-October-2024, see details here.
    • Loop 3.4.2 was released on 5-October-2024 and quickly superseded by 3.4.3 and then 3.4.4, see details here.
    • Loop 3.4.1 released 19-July-2024. This version fixed an issue with the Browser Build, see details here
    • Loop 3.4.0 released 13-July-2024. This version includes many new features. Please refer to notes on this page.

      Trio Updates

      If you need help, please ask on Facebook or discord.

      Trio Release History

      • Trio 0.2.3 was released on 28-January-2025, see details here.
        • Automation added to detect invalid or expired certificates and create new ones
          Requires addition of an Action Variable (see below)
        • Go to Settings -> Secrets and variables -> Actions and make sure the Variables tab is open.  Tap on “Create new organization variable” or “Create new repository variable>, then add the name ENABLE_NUKE_CERTS and enter the value true (see adjacent image). Unlike secrets these variables are visible and can be edited.
          • If you are using an organization, do this step at the organization level, e.g., username-org/Trio
          • If you are not using an organization, do this step at the repository level, e.g., username/Trio

      • Trio 0.2.2 was released on 19-October-2024, see details here.
      • Trio 0.2.1 was released on 29-September-2024, see details here.
      • Trio 0.2.0 was released on 17-August-2024, see details here.

      More Information

      You should always be in a position to build Loop, if necessary. The best practice is to upgrade your build computer (Mac) before upgrading the iOS on your iPhone.  Of course, that’s your choice.

      Bookmark this page!  {DO THIS NOW!} Come back when you have a version question in the future.

      This page will be kept up-to-date as new versions are released.  You can also sign up for the newsletter, but new version updates may not always be included in the newsletter.  This page is your best “one-stop shop” to answer general questions about versions and compatability.