Quickly after the Apple iPhone occasion takes place, we’ll lastly have entry to iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 — each of that are bringing enormous upgrades to your iPhone and iPad’s working methods. One you is perhaps thrilled to mess around with is the visible replace: Liquid Glass. (It is just like the better-executed model of Home windows Vista.) 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 2. That software program is a extra secure iteration of the separate developer model, which not too long ago hit the beta 6 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, all the time keep in mind there is a diploma of threat concerned with beta software program.) Moreover, there are credible studies that iOS 26 may deliver a new stay translation characteristic to AirPods, too. Not able to improve your smartphone or pill this yr? No worries, we’ll allow you to discover out in case your gadgets will be capable of run iOS 26.
Whereas Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility record 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 had 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 system, you will not be capable of obtain iOS 26 when it turns into out there this fall.
We’ll resolve which iPhones and iPads will assist iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 this yr. To see what’s coming with the newest OSes, take a look at 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 iPhones will not be appropriate with iOS 26
Not like final yr, 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:
iPhones appropriate with iOS 26
Whereas we do not but know the brand new iPhones Apple shall be dropping this fall — although there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple’s web site, that the telephones listed under shall be appropriate with iOS 26. Mainly, when you have an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you are within the clear:
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iPhone SE (second era or later)
iPads appropriate with iPadOS 26
The iPads listed under, and any iPads launched later this yr, are eligible to obtain iPadOS 26.
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iPad Professional 12.9‑inch (third era and later)
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iPad Professional 11‑inch (1st era and later)
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iPad Air (third era and later, together with M2 and M3)
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iPad (eighth era and later, together with A16)
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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 superb. Nevertheless, you may miss out on safety updates which may doubtlessly put your cellphone 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 naturally, you will not be capable of entry the newest options iOS 26 provides.
When will iOS 26 develop into out there?
Apple normally rolls out its newest iOS in mid-September, just some days earlier than the brand new iPhones hit retailer cabinets. Final yr, 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 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.
Cellphone app redesign: You may lastly be capable of scroll by contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. 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.
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 characteristic: Coming to group messages within the Messages app, chat members will be capable of create polls. This may help forestall the undesirable 30+ messages in terms of deciding which restaurant you are assembly at this weekend.
