Have you ever up to date your iPhone to the brand new iOS 26 but or are you holding off? It's been obtainable to obtain since September 15 — right here's how one can set up it if you happen to haven't but. The brand new OS was launched alongside iPadOS 26 and Apple's different working system updates. Since then, the primary beta of iOS 26.1 has already been launched with some newer options.
In case your telephone is suitable with the most recent OS, you'll discover substantial adjustments whenever you set up the brand new replace. You’ll have already heard about "Liquid Glass," which (intentional or not) is kind of like Apple's tackle the previous Home windows Vista design language. That's essentially the most notable change, however we spent two weeks test-driving most of the different options included within the replace — you may try our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.
Unsure when you’ve got an eligible smartphone or pill but in addition don't need to improve? No worries, we'll make it easier to discover out in case your units will have the ability to run iOS 26.
Whereas Apple didn't nix any iPhones from its eligibility record final 12 months, that's not the case for 2025, as a number of fashions received axed this time round. All iPhone 8 fashions and the iPhone X had been the final to obtain the boot in 2023, and this 12 months, iPhones launched in 2018 might be left behind.
You could find a full record of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beneath. To see all the pieces you get with the most recent OS updates, you may try our huge rundown of what to anticipate from iOS 26. Moreover, right here's all the pieces Apple revealed on the iPhone 17 launch occasion, together with the all-new iPhone Air. (Take a look at Engadget's liveblog of the occasion for full particulars.)
These three iOS 18 iPhones aren't suitable with iOS 26
In contrast to final 12 months, a trio of iPhones gained't be eligible to obtain the latest iOS. These three fashions that had been first launched in 2018 gained't be coming to the iOS 26 get together:
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iPhone XR
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iPhone XS
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iPhone XS Max
iPhones suitable with iOS 26
Per Apple's web site, the units listed beneath might be suitable with iOS 26. Briefly, when you’ve got an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you're within the clear:
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iPhone SE (second technology or later)
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iPhone 11
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iPhone 11 Professional
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iPhone 11 Professional Max
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iPhone 12
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iPhone 12 mini
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iPhone 12 Professional
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iPhone 12 Professional Max
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iPhone 13
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iPhone 13 mini
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iPhone 13 Professional
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iPhone 13 Professional Max
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iPhone 14
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iPhone 14 Plus
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iPhone 14 Professional
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iPhone 14 Professional Max
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iPhone 15
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iPhone 15 Plus
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iPhone 15 Professional
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iPhone 15 Professional Max
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iPhone 16
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iPhone 16 Plus
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iPhone 16 Professional
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iPhone 16 Professional Max
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iPhone 16e
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iPhone 17
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iPhone 17 Professional
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iPhone 17 Professional Max
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iPhone Air
iPads suitable with iPadOS 26
In the meantime, the iPads listed beneath are eligible to obtain iPadOS 26:
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iPad Professional (M4)
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iPad Professional 12.9‑inch (third technology and later)
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iPad Professional 11‑inch (1st technology and later)
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iPad Air (third technology and later, together with M2 and M3)
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iPad (eighth technology and later, together with A16)
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iPad mini (fifth technology and later, together with A17 Professional)
What if I don't need to purchase a brand new iPhone?
If you wish to proceed utilizing your older iPhone that isn't supported by iOS 26, that's advantageous. Nonetheless, you'll finally miss out on safety updates which may doubtlessly put your telephone in danger for malware and different threats. Moreover, some apps might cease working in the event that they require a sure model of iOS or later. And, after all, you gained't have the ability to entry the most recent options iOS 26 provides.
Ought to I improve to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?
Once you first open Software program Replace in Settings, you'll discover two completely different improve choices: iOS 18.7 and iOS 26. Apple launched the previous to deal with safety points, so you may at the very least obtain that one if you happen to're uncertain about all the large adjustments on iOS 26. It additionally provides you extra time to attend for Apple to deal with any bugs on the brand new OS.
Nonetheless, if you happen to're excited to lastly have the Liquid Glass aesthetic in your telephone and use all the brand new options iOS 26 has to supply, go forward and set up that one. In any case, Apple had all summer season to weed by essentially the most problematic bugs throughout its beta section and often releases a brand new replace shortly after the preliminary launch.
iOS 26 options to check out first
Liquid Glass design: Your own home display screen is getting revamped with new app icons, together with darkish mode and all-clear choices. You'll additionally discover buttons with a brand new floating design. Liquid Glass, in Apple's phrases, was designed to make the entire firm's working techniques extra visually cohesive.
Telephone app redesign: You possibly can lastly scroll by contacts, latest calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new characteristic referred to as Maintain Help that'll notify you when an agent involves the telephone so you may keep away from the elevator music.
Reside Translate: iOS 26 brings the power to have a dialog by way of telephone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Reside Translate will translate your dialog in actual time.
Polls characteristic: Coming to group messages within the Messages app, chat members can now create polls. This may help forestall the undesirable 30+ messages in relation to deciding which restaurant you're assembly at this weekend.
New lock screen options: Extra customizable iPhone lock display screen choices can be found with iOS 26, together with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper results, extra widgets and higher focus mode choices.
Snooze longer (or shorter): Say goodbye to the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms (in order for you). You now have the choice to vary your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.
Fresh Camera app design: You'll discover the Digital camera app is less complicated to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus positioned in handy spots. Meaning much less swiping, extra picture taking. Plus, there's a brand new characteristic that tells you in case your lens is just too soiled.
Screenshot revamps: Once you take a screenshot, you now have the choice to seek for the picture on Google (perhaps you're searching for a sweater you noticed on a celeb) and you’ll ask ChatGPT questions in regards to the picture — all from the edit display screen. It's like a reverse picture search however with out all of the laborious work.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cell/ready-to-download-ios-26-make-sure-your-iphone-is-eligible-for-the-free-update-first-191854536.html?src=rss