Do you know you’ll be able to officially download iOS 26 in your iPhone? The replace grew to become accessible yesterday, together with iPadOS 26 and Apple’s other operating system updates. However that is assuming you might have an eligible machine.
In case your cellphone is appropriate with the newest OS, you will discover substantial changes while you set up the brand new replace. You could have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is kind of like Apple’s tackle the previous 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’ll be able to take a look at our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.
Undecided you probably have an eligible smartphone or pill but in addition do not wish to improve? No worries, we’ll allow 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 record final 12 months, that is not the case for 2025, as a couple 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 12 months, iPhones launched in 2018 will probably be left behind.
You’ll find a full record of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beneath. To see every little thing you get with the newest OS updates, you’ll be able to take a look at our huge rundown of what to expect from iOS 26. Moreover, this is everything Apple revealed on the iPhone 17 launch occasion, together with the all-new iPhone Air. (Try Engadget’s liveblog of the event for full particulars.)
These three iOS 18 iPhones aren’t appropriate with iOS 26
In contrast to final 12 months, a trio of iPhones will not be eligible to obtain the most recent 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 site, the units listed beneath will probably be appropriate with iOS 26. In brief, you probably have an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you are within the clear:
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iPhone SE (second technology or later)
iPads appropriate with iPadOS 26
In the meantime, the iPads listed beneath are eligible to download iPadOS 26:
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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 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 high quality. Nonetheless, 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 affords.
Ought to I improve to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?
Once 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 deal with safety points, so you’ll be able to no less than obtain that one should you’re not sure about all the large modifications on iOS 26. It additionally provides you extra time to attend for Apple to maintain any bugs on the brand new OS.
Nonetheless, should you’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 spite of everything, Apple had all summer season to weed by probably 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 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 all the firm’s working techniques extra visually cohesive.
Cellphone app redesign: You possibly can lastly scroll by contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display. It additionally comes with a brand new function known as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the cellphone so you’ll be able to keep away from the elevator music.
Stay Translate: iOS 26 brings the power to have a dialog through cellphone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Stay 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 might help stop the undesirable 30+ messages relating to deciding which restaurant you are assembly at this weekend.
New lock screen options: 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’d like). You now have the choice to change your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.
Fresh Camera app design: You will discover the Digicam app is less complicated to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus situated in handy spots. Meaning much less swiping, extra photograph taking. Plus, there is a new function that tells you in case your lens is simply too soiled.
Screenshot revamps: Once 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 concerning the photograph — all from the edit display. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the exhausting work.
