Examine to see in case your iPhone is appropriate for the replace

We’re just a few days away Apple’s iPhone 17 event, which the corporate has dubbed “awe dropping” and scheduled for Tuesday, September 9. If all goes as anticipated, we should always get to obtain iOS 26 and iPad 26 a few week later.

Coming with these OS updates are substantial updates to your iPhone and iPad’s working techniques. You’ll have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is type of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Windows Vista design language. That is essentially the most notable change, however we spent two weeks test-driving lots of the different options included within the replace — you possibly can take a look at our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions, or you possibly can attempt the software program out your self by downloading and installing the latest public beta. The general public beta is a extra secure iteration of the replace than the developer model, which lately hit the beta 9 waypoint and provides just a few extra flashy features not but accessible within the public model. (Although it is value remembering that there is a diploma of threat concerned with putting in any type of beta software program.)

Unsure if you wish to improve your smartphone or pill this yr? No worries, we’ll make it easier to discover out in case your units will be capable of run iOS 26.

Whereas Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility checklist 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 will probably be left behind. In case your machine is have ineligible, you will not be capable of obtain iOS 26 when it turns into accessible this fall.

Yow will discover a full checklist of which iPhones and iPads will help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beneath. To see all the pieces that is coming with the most recent OS updates, you possibly can take a look at our massive rundown of what to expect.

These three iOS 18 iPhones will not be appropriate with iOS 26

In contrast to final yr, a number of iPhone fashions will not be eligible to obtain the most recent iOS when it makes its debut in September. This trio of fashions first launched in 2018 will not be coming to the iOS 26 celebration:

iPhones appropriate with iOS 26

Whereas we do not but know the brand new iPhones Apple will probably be dropping subsequent month — although there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple’s site, that the telephones listed beneath will probably be appropriate with iOS 26. Principally, if in case you have an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you are within the clear:

• iPhone SE (second technology or later)

iPads appropriate with iPadOS 26

The iPads listed beneath are eligible to download iPadOS 26:

• iPad Professional 12.9‑inch (third technology and later)

• iPad Professional 11‑inch (1st technology and later)

• iPad Air (third technology and later, together with M2 and M3)

• iPad (eighth technology and later, together with A16)

• 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 fantastic. Nevertheless, you may miss out on safety updates which might probably 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 most recent options iOS 26 provides.

When will iOS 26 change into accessible?

Apple normally 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 should always have entry to the brand new working system on Tuesday, Sept. 16 — precisely one week after the occasion.

Anticipate 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 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 techniques extra visually cohesive.

Telephone app redesign: You will lastly be capable of scroll via contacts, latest 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.

Reside Translate: iOS 26 is bringing 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 characteristic: Coming to group messages within the Messages app, chat members will be capable of create polls. This will help forestall the undesirable 30+ messages in relation to deciding which restaurant you are assembly at this weekend.

New lock screen options: Extra customizable iPhone lock display 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 will quickly 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 positioned in handy spots. Which means much less swiping, extra photograph taking. Plus, there is a new characteristic that tells you in case your lens is simply too soiled.

Screenshot revamps: If you take a screenshot, you may have the choice to seek for the picture on Google (possibly you are searching for a sweater you noticed on a celeb) and you’ll 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 arduous work.