Able to obtain iOS 26? See in case your iPhone is eligible for the free replace first

Now that iOS 26 is offered to obtain for a lot of iPhone customers — here’s how to install it — it is time to examine your telephone to see in case you’re eligible for the replace. The brand new OS grew to become accessible on Monday this week, together with iPadOS 26 and Apple’s other operating system updates.

In case your telephone is suitable with the newest OS, you may discover substantial changes once you set up the brand new replace. You might have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is kind of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Windows Vista design language. That is probably the most notable change, however we spent two weeks test-driving lots of the different options included within the replace — you may take a look at our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.

Undecided when you’ve got an eligible smartphone or pill but additionally do not wish to improve? No worries, we’ll enable you to discover out in case your units 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, as a number of fashions are getting the axe this time round. All iPhone 8 fashions and the iPhone X had been the final to obtain the boot in 2023, and this yr, iPhones launched in 2018 will likely be left behind.

Yow will discover a full record of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 under. To see every thing you get with the newest OS updates, you may take a look at our large rundown of what to expect from iOS 26. Moreover, here 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 suitable with iOS 26

Not like final yr, a trio of iPhones will not be eligible to obtain the most recent iOS. These three fashions that had been first launched in 2018 will not be coming to the iOS 26 celebration:

iPhones suitable with iOS 26

Per Apple’s site, the units listed under will likely be suitable with iOS 26. Briefly, when you’ve got an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you are within the clear:

• iPhone SE (second era or later)

iPads suitable with iPadOS 26

In the meantime, the iPads listed under are eligible to download iPadOS 26:

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

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

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

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

• 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 high quality. Nevertheless, you may finally miss out on safety updates which might doubtlessly put your telephone 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, after all, you will not be capable of entry the newest options iOS 26 affords.

Ought to I improve to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?

Whenever you first open Software program Replace in Settings, you may discover two totally different improve choices: iOS 18.7 and iOS 26. Apple launched the previous to handle safety points, so you may a minimum of obtain that one in case you’re not sure about all the massive adjustments on iOS 26. It additionally offers you extra time to attend for Apple to handle any bugs on the brand new OS.

Nevertheless, in case you’re excited to lastly have the Liquid Glass aesthetic in your telephone 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 time to weed by means of probably the most problematic bugs throughout its beta part 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 may lastly scroll by means of 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 telephone so you may keep away from the elevator music.

Stay Translate: iOS 26 brings the flexibility to have a dialog through telephone 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 can now create polls. This might help stop 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 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 Digital camera 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 just too soiled.

Screenshot revamps: Whenever you take a screenshot, you now have the choice to seek for the picture on Google (perhaps you are on the lookout for a sweater you noticed on a celeb) and you may 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 onerous work.