In slightly underneath per week, Apple’s iPhone 17 occasion — which the corporate has themed “awe dropping” — might be right here. It is confirmed for Tuesday, September 9. If all goes in keeping with plan, we must also get to obtain iOS 26 and iPad 26 a couple of week after the occasion. Coming with the OS 26es are large upgrades to your iPhone and iPad’s working programs. You have heard of Liquid Glass, proper? It is just like the better-executed model of the Home windows Vista design motif and undoubtedly one of many cooler options coming this fall. We spent two weeks test-driving it — you may try our detailed hands-on iOS 26 preview, or you may strive it out your self by downloading and putting in the newly launched public beta 6. That software program is a extra secure iteration of the separate developer model, which lately hit the beta 9 waypoint, and provides just a few extra flashy options not but out there within the public model. (Whereas the general public beta is open to everybody and fairly secure, at all times bear in mind there is a diploma of threat concerned with beta software program.) Moreover, there are credible studies that iOS 26 might convey a new reside translation function to AirPods, too. Undecided if you wish to improve your smartphone or pill this yr? No worries, we’ll aid you discover out in case your units will be capable of run iOS 26.
Whereas Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility listing final yr, that is not the case for 2025 — just a few 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 yr the 2018 fashions are getting left behind. When you’ve got an ineligible gadget, you will not be capable of obtain iOS 26 when it turns into out there this fall.
We’ll unravel which iPhones and iPads will help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 this yr. To see what’s coming with the most recent OSes, try every little thing introduced at Apple’s WWDC June 9 occasion. One factor you should not instantly anticipate is Apple’s up to date model of Siri, although the corporate is reportedly engaged on a ‘stripped-down’ AI chatbot to compete with ChatGPT.
These three iOS 18 iPhones will not be suitable with iOS 26
In contrast to final yr, a number of iPhone fashions will not be eligible to obtain the latest iOS when it makes its debut in September. This trio of fashions first launched in 2018 will not be coming to the iOS 26 social gathering:
iPhones suitable with iOS 26
Whereas we do not but know the brand new iPhones Apple might be dropping subsequent month — although there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple’s website, that the telephones listed beneath might be suitable with iOS 26. Principally, in case you 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 suitable with iPadOS 26
The iPads listed beneath, and any iPads launched later this yr, are eligible to obtain 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 effective. Nevertheless, you may miss out on safety updates which might 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 be capable of entry the most recent options iOS 26 provides.
When will iOS 26 change into out there?
Apple often rolls out its newest iOS in mid-September, only a few days earlier than the brand new iPhones hit retailer cabinets. Final yr, it launched iOS 18 on Monday, Sept. 16. If it follows swimsuit this yr, we must always have entry to the brand new working system on Tuesday, Sept. 16 — precisely one week after the occasion.
Count on a affirmation of the discharge date on the iPhone 17 occasion on September 9.
iOS 26 options we’re enthusiastic about
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 was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes extra cohesive.
Telephone app redesign: You may lastly be capable of scroll by way of contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. 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 is bringing the flexibility to have a dialog through 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 will be capable of create polls. This might 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 are coming 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 may quickly have the choice to change your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.
Contemporary Digital camera app design: You may discover the Digital camera app is easier to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus positioned in handy spots. Meaning much less swiping, extra picture taking. Plus, there is a new function that tells you in case your lens is simply too soiled.