Do you know you possibly can formally obtain iOS 26 in your iPhone? The replace turned out there yesterday, together with iPadOS 26 and Apple’s different working system updates. However that is assuming you will have an eligible system.
In case your telephone is appropriate with the most recent OS, you will discover substantial adjustments once you set up the brand new replace. You will have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is form of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Home windows Vista design language. That is probably the most notable change, however we spent two weeks test-driving lots of the different options included within the replace — you possibly can take a look at our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.
Unsure when you have an eligible smartphone or pill but in addition do not wish to improve? No worries, we’ll provide help to discover out in case your units will have the ability to run iOS 26.
Whereas Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility checklist final yr, that is not the case for 2025, as a number of fashions are getting the axe this time round. All iPhone 8 fashions and the iPhone X have been the final to obtain the boot in 2023, and this yr, iPhones launched in 2018 might be left behind.
You could find a full checklist of iPhones and iPads that assist iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beneath. To see every thing you get with the most recent OS updates, you possibly can take a look at our massive rundown of what to anticipate from iOS 26. Moreover, here is every thing Apple revealed on the iPhone 17 launch occasion, together with the all-new iPhone Air. (Try Engadget’s liveblog of the occasion for full particulars.)
These three iOS 18 iPhones aren’t appropriate with iOS 26
Not like final yr, a trio of iPhones will not be eligible to obtain the latest iOS. These three fashions that have been first launched in 2018 will not be coming to the iOS 26 social gathering:
iPhones appropriate with iOS 26
Per Apple’s website, the units listed beneath might be appropriate with iOS 26. Briefly, when you have an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you are within the clear:
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iPhone SE (second era or later)
iPads appropriate with iPadOS 26
In the meantime, the iPads listed beneath are eligible to obtain iPadOS 26:
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iPad Professional 12.9‑inch (third era and later)
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iPad Professional 11‑inch (1st era and later)
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iPad Air (third era and later, together with M2 and M3)
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iPad (eighth era and later, together with A16)
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iPad mini (fifth era and later, together with A17 Professional)
What if I do not wish to purchase a brand new iPhone?
If you wish to proceed utilizing your older iPhone that is not supported by iOS 26, that is tremendous. Nonetheless, you will finally miss out on safety updates which may doubtlessly put your telephone in danger for malware and different threats. Moreover, some apps could cease working in the event that they require a sure model of iOS or later. And, in fact, you will not have the ability to entry the most recent options iOS 26 affords.
Ought to I improve to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?
Whenever you first open Software program Replace in Settings, you will discover two completely different improve choices: iOS 18.7 and iOS 26. Apple launched the previous to handle safety points, so you possibly can not less than obtain that one when you’re not sure about all the massive adjustments on iOS 26. It additionally offers you extra time to attend for Apple to handle any bugs on the brand new OS.
Nonetheless, when you’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 spite of everything, Apple had all summer time to weed by means of probably the most problematic bugs throughout its beta part and often releases a brand new replace shortly after the preliminary launch.
iOS 26 options to check out first
Liquid Glass design: Your private home display screen is getting revamped with new app icons, together with darkish mode and all-clear choices. You may additionally discover buttons with a brand new floating design. Liquid Glass, in Apple’s phrases, was designed to make all the firm’s working programs extra visually cohesive.
Telephone app redesign: You may lastly scroll by means of contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new characteristic known as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the telephone so you possibly can keep away from the elevator music.
Reside Translate: iOS 26 brings the flexibility 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 will help stop the undesirable 30+ messages in terms of deciding which restaurant you are assembly at this weekend.
New lock display screen choices: 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 alter your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.
Contemporary Digicam app design: You may discover the Digicam app is less complicated to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus positioned in handy spots. Which means much less swiping, extra picture taking. Plus, there is a new characteristic that tells you in case your lens is simply too soiled.
Screenshot revamps: Whenever you take a screenshot, you now have the choice to seek for the picture on Google (possibly you are searching for a sweater you noticed on a celeb) and you may ask ChatGPT questions in regards to the picture — all from the edit display screen. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the exhausting work.
