Have you ever up to date your iPhone to the brand new iOS 26 but or are you holding off? It has been obtainable to obtain since September 15 — this is set up it if you have not 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 appropriate with the most recent OS, you may discover substantial adjustments while you set up the brand new replace. You’ll have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is type of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Home windows Vista design language. That is essentially the most notable change, however we spent two weeks test-driving most of the different options included within the replace — you possibly can take a look at our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.
Undecided when you have an eligible smartphone or pill but in addition do not need to improve? No worries, we’ll enable you to discover out in case your units will be capable 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 bought axed 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 shall be left behind.
You’ll find a full checklist of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 under. 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, this 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
In contrast to 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 celebration:
iPhones appropriate with iOS 26
Per Apple’s website, the units listed under shall be appropriate with iOS 26. Briefly, when you have an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you are within the clear:
iPhone SE (second era or later)
iPads appropriate with iPadOS 26
In the meantime, the iPads listed under are eligible to obtain iPadOS 26:
iPad Professional 12.9‑inch (third era and later)
iPad Professional 11‑inch (1st era and later)
iPad Air (third era and later, together with M2 and M3)
iPad (eighth era and later, together with A16)
iPad mini (fifth era and later, together with A17 Professional)
What if I do not need 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. Nevertheless, you may finally miss out on safety updates which might probably 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, after all, you will not be capable to entry the most recent options iOS 26 presents.
Ought to I improve to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?
While you first open Software program Replace in Settings, you may discover two totally 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 uncertain about all the massive adjustments on iOS 26. It additionally provides you extra time to attend for Apple to handle any bugs on the brand new OS.
Nevertheless, 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 any case, Apple had all summer season to weed by means of essentially 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 property display is getting revamped with new app icons, together with darkish mode and all-clear choices. You will additionally discover buttons with a brand new floating design. Liquid Glass, in Apple’s phrases, was designed to make the entire firm’s working methods extra visually cohesive.
Telephone app redesign: You’ll be able to lastly scroll by means of contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display. 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.
Stay Translate: iOS 26 brings the flexibility to have a dialog through telephone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Stay 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 might help stop the undesirable 30+ messages with regards to deciding which restaurant you are assembly at this weekend.
New lock display choices: Extra customizable iPhone lock display 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 (if you would like). You now have the choice to vary your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.
Contemporary Digicam app design: You will 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 just too soiled.
Screenshot revamps: While you take a screenshot, you now have the choice to seek for the picture on Google (perhaps you are in search of a sweater you noticed on a celeb) and you may ask ChatGPT questions concerning the picture — all from the edit display. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the laborious work.
