Feed: Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Feed Link: https://www.engadget.com/
---

Title: iOS 26 will be available next week: Find out if your iPhone is
compatible with the free update

Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:33:31 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/mobile/ios-26-will-b...

The Apple iPhone 17 event just concluded, and Apple largely delivered on all
of the rumors ahead of the show. The company announced the iPhone 17 lineup,
the iPhone Air and several other devices. (Check out Engadget's real-time
Apple event liveblog for full details.) In addition to finally seeing the new
hardware, Apple confirmed after the event that we'll be able to download the
final versions of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 on Monday, September 15. (That's when
all of Apple's other operating system updates hit, too.)

Coming with those OS updates are substantial changes to your iPhone and
iPad's software. You may have already heard about "Liquid Glass," which
(intentional or not) is sort of like Apple's take on the old Windows Vista
design language. That's the most notable change, but we spent two weeks test-
driving many of the other features included in the update ΓÇö you can check
out our hands-on iOS 26 preview for more impressions.

Not sure if you want to upgrade your smartphone or tablet? No worries, we'll
help you find out if your devices will be able to run iOS 26.

While Apple didn't nix any iPhones from its eligibility list last year,
that's not the case for 2025, as a few models are getting the axe this time
around. All iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to receive the
boot in 2023, and this year iPhones released in 2018 will be left behind. If
your device is ineligible, you won't be able to download iOS 26 when it
becomes available next week.

You can find a full list of iPhones and iPads that will support iOS 26 and
iPadOS 26 below. To see everything that's coming with the latest OS updates,
you can check out our big rundown of what to expect from iOS 26.
Additionally, here's everything Apple revealed at the iPhone 17 launch event.

These three iOS 18 iPhones won't be compatible with iOS 26

Unlike last year, a trio of iPhones won't be eligible to download the newest
iOS when it makes its debut. These three models that were first released in
2018 won't be coming to the iOS 26 party:

iPhone XR

iPhone XS

iPhone XS Max

iPhones compatible with iOS 26

Per Apple's site, the devices listed below will be compatible with iOS 26. In
short, if you have an iPhone that was announced in 2019 or later, you're in
the clear:

iPhone SE (second generation or later)

iPhone 11

iPhone 11 Pro

iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone 12

iPhone 12 mini

iPhone 12 Pro

iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 13

iPhone 13 mini

iPhone 13 Pro

iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 14

iPhone 14 Plus

iPhone 14 Pro

iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 15

iPhone 15 Plus

iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 16

iPhone 16 Plus

iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 16e

iPhone 17

iPhone 17 Air

iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPads compatible with iPadOS 26

Meanwhile, the iPads listed below are eligible to download iPadOS 26:

iPad Pro (M4)

iPad Pro 12.9ΓÇæinch (3rd generation and later)

iPad Pro 11ΓÇæinch (1st generation and later)

iPad Air (3rd generation and later, including M2 and M3)

iPad (8th generation and later, including A16)

iPad mini (5th generation and later, including A17 Pro)

What if I don't want to buy a new iPhone?

If you want to continue using your older iPhone that isn't supported by iOS
26, that's fine. However, you'll miss out on security updates which could
potentially put your phone at risk for malware and other threats.
Additionally, some apps may stop working if they require a certain version of
iOS or later. And of course, you won't be able to access the latest features
iOS 26 offers.

When will iOS 26 become available?

Apple announced it will release iOS 26 to eligible iPhones on Monday,
September 15.

Can I still download the public beta?

Yes, you can try the software out yourself by downloading and installing the
latest public beta. The public beta is a more stable iteration of the update
than the developer version, which recently hit the beta 9 waypoint and offers
a few more flashy features not yet available in the public version. (Though
it's worth remembering that there's a degree of risk involved with installing
any form of beta software.)

iOS 26 features we're excited about

Liquid Glass design: Your home screen is getting revamped with new app icons,
including dark mode and all-clear options. You'll also notice buttons with a
new floating design. Liquid Glass, in Apple's terms, was designed to make all
of the company's operating systems more visually cohesive.

Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent
calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new
feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the
phone so you can avoid the elevator music.

Live Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via
phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live
Translate will translate your conversation in real time.

Polls feature: Coming to group messages in the Messages app, chat members
will be able to create polls. This can help prevent the unwanted 30+ messages
when it comes to deciding which restaurant you're meeting at this weekend.

New lock screen options: More customizable iPhone lock screen options are
coming with iOS 26, including a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more
widgets and better focus mode options.

Snooze longer (or shorter): Say goodbye to the 9-minute snooze setting in
your alarms (if you want). You'll soon have the option to change your snooze
time from one to 15 minutes.

Fresh Camera app design: You'll find the Camera app is simpler to navigate in
iOS 26, with all the buttons and menus located in convenient spots. That
means less swiping, more photo taking. Plus, there's a new feature that tells
you if your lens is too dirty.

Screenshot revamps: When you take a screenshot, you'll have the option to
search for the image on Google (maybe you're looking for a sweater you saw on
a celeb) and you can ask ChatGPT questions about the photo ΓÇö all from the
edit screen. It's like a reverse image search but without all the hard work.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/mobile/ios-26-will-b...
if-your-iphone-is-compatible-with-the-free-update-191854176.html?src=rss

---
VRSS v2.1.180528