Do you know you may formally obtain iOS 26 in your iPhone? The replace grew to become obtainable 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 cellphone is suitable with the newest OS, you will discover substantial modifications if you set up the brand new replace. You could have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is form of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Home windows Vista design language.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 most of the different options included within the replace — you may 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 wish to improve? No worries, we’ll assist you discover out in case your units will be capable to run iOS 26.
Whereas Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility record final yr, that is not the case for 2025, as just a few 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 shall be left behind.
You could find a full record of iPhones and iPads that assist iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beneath. To see every thing you get with the newest OS updates, you may 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. (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 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 suitable with iOS 26
Per Apple’s website, the units listed beneath shall be suitable 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 suitable with iPadOS 26
In the meantime, the iPads listed beneath 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 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. Nevertheless, you will ultimately miss out on safety updates which may probably put your cellphone 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 will not be capable to entry the newest 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 will discover two totally 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 not sure about all the large modifications on iOS 26. It additionally offers you extra time to attend for Apple to handle any bugs on the brand new OS.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re excited to lastly have the Liquid Glass aesthetic in your cellphone 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 way of probably the most problematic bugs throughout its beta part and normally releases a brand new replace shortly after the preliminary launch.
iOS 26 options to check out first
Liquid Glass design: Your house 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 possibly can lastly scroll by way of contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display. It additionally comes with a brand new function referred to as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the cellphone so you may keep away from the elevator music.
Reside Translate: iOS 26 brings the power to have a dialog by way of cellphone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Reside Translate will translate your dialog in actual time.
Polls function: Coming to group messages within the Messages app, chat members can now create polls. This can assist 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 alter your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.
Recent Digicam app design: You will discover the Digicam app is easier to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus situated in handy spots. Which means much less swiping, extra photograph taking. Plus, there is a new function 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 (possibly you are on the lookout for a sweater you noticed on a celeb) and you may ask ChatGPT questions in regards to the photograph — all from the edit display. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the exhausting work.
