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IOS is a somewhat unique system in that many games use (and come with) their own version of the IOS, though many games use the same IOS versions. There is no "true" version of the operating system, instead there are many of what could be called "slots" for different versions of IOS to sit in. IOS versions are not aware of each other, and are not used or invoked at all unless software specifically requests to run using them. In this way it can be considered "safe" to install custom IOS modules, or to patch any IOS module so long as it is not used by the system menu, as if it becomes corrupt it can be deleted and replaced without damaging the system as a whole.

IOS is a somewhat unique system in that many games use (and come with) their own version of the IOS, though many games use the same IOS versions. There is no "true" version of the operating system, instead there are many of what could be called "slots" for different versions of IOS to sit in. IOS versions are not aware of each other, and are not used or invoked at all unless software specifically requests to run using them. In this way it can be considered "safe" to install custom IOS modules, or to patch any IOS module so long as it is not used by the system menu, as if it becomes corrupt it can be deleted and replaced without damaging the system as a whole.

It should be noted that the IOS does not act as a hypervisor, the "Home" menu you see when you press the Home button is part of the game, it is not provided by the running IOS or the System Menu. To put it simply, the games does not run "on top of" the system menu. When a game is launched the system menu is closed and the game is started, and when the game calls to return to the system menu, the game closes and the system menu is restarted. There can only be one IOS running at a time.

It should be noted that the IOS does not act as a hypervisor, the "Home" menu you see when you press the Home button is part of the game, it is not provided by the running IOS or the System Menu. To put it simply, the game does not run "on top of" the system menu. When a game is launched the system menu is closed and the game is started, and when the game calls to return to the system menu, the game closes and the system menu is restarted. There can only be one IOS running at a time.

The only times an IOS is not running is during GameCube mode (during which time [[MIOS]] is running instead), or when [[BootMii]] is running (during which time [[mini]] is running instead).

The only time an IOS is not running is during GameCube mode (during which time [[MIOS]] is running instead), or when [[BootMii]] is running (during which time [[mini]] is running instead).

== See Also ==

== See Also ==