The operating system on the iPhone 7 is the software that governs all hardware and software resources of the device. For example, a user interacts with the interface presented by the operating system to launch applications, manage files, and control settings. The iPhone 7 originally shipped with iOS 10.
The functionality and overall user experience of the iPhone 7 are substantially dictated by the operating system version it runs. Updates to the operating system introduce new features, security patches, and performance improvements. Historically, these updates have been crucial for extending the lifespan and relevance of the iPhone 7.