iPhone devotees, hear up: Tons of recent updates are coming to Apple’s working system this fall that you will be excited to check out. However as a substitute of being named iOS 19, it’s going to be known as iOS 26. The most important change? The brand new Liquid Glass design (suppose Home windows Vista, however arguably extra considerate), which seems to be Apple’s largest visible replace in years. We spent two weeks test-driving it — you possibly can take a look at our detailed hands-on iOS 26 preview, or you possibly can strive it out your self by downloading and putting in the general public beta, out there now. Earlier than you dive in, we’ll allow you to reply this query: Will my iPhone have the ability to run iOS 26?
Final 12 months, Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility listing, however that is not the case for 2025 — a number of fashions are getting lower this time. All iPhone 8 fashions and the iPhone X have been the final to get the boot in 2023, and this 12 months the 2018 fashions are getting left behind. If in case you have an ineligible machine, you will not have the ability to obtain iOS 26 when it turns into out there this fall.
We’ll resolve which iPhones will help iOS 26 this 12 months. To see what’s coming with the newest OS and extra, take a look at all the pieces introduced at Apple’s WWDC June 9 occasion.
These three iPhones will not be appropriate with iOS 26
In contrast to final 12 months, a number of iPhone fashions will not be eligible to obtain the most recent iOS when it makes its debut this fall. This trio of fashions first launched in 2018 will not be coming to the iOS 26 social gathering:
iPhone XR
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhones appropriate with iOS 26
Whereas we do not but know the brand new iPhones Apple can be dropping this fall — although there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple’s web site, that the telephones listed beneath can be appropriate with iOS 26. Mainly, when you have an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you are within the clear:
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 nice. Nevertheless, you will miss out on safety updates which may doubtlessly 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 naturally, you will not have the ability to entry the newest options iOS 26 affords.
When will iOS 26 turn out to be out there?
Apple normally rolls out its newest iOS in mid-September, only a few days earlier than the brand new iPhones hit retailer cabinets. Final 12 months, it launched iOS 18 on Monday, Sept. 16. Count on a affirmation of the discharge date on the iPhone 17 occasion, anticipated in early September.
iOS 26 options we’re enthusiastic about
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 was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes extra cohesive.
Cellphone app redesign: You will lastly have the ability to 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 cellphone so you possibly can keep away from the elevator music.
Stay Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the flexibility to have a dialog by way of cellphone 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 will have the ability to create polls. This can assist forestall the undesirable 30+ messages relating to deciding which restaurant you are assembly at this weekend.
