Apple announced iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 back in June, and it’s now finally ready to hit iPhones today as the update is pushed out to users around the world.
The new iPhone update comes with a fresh new ‘Liquid Glass’ look and plenty of features – and there are loads of iOS 26 supported devices, which is great news.
And no, you haven’t missed a volley of updates since iOS 18 in 2024. Apple has skipped a bunch of numbers, so instead of giving us iOS 19 in 2025, we get iOS 26 alongside iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26 and tvOS 26. In short, Apple’s brought its operating system numbering into line. Nice.
There’s a lot to like in the iOS 26 update, so you’ll probably want to know whether your iPhone qualifies for the upgrade.
Which iPhone models can download iOS 26?
To use the iOS 26, your iPhone must feature an A13 Bionic chip or newer. That means a staggering six generations of iPhone support the iOS 26 update, with iPhones dating back to 2019 in-line for the new software.
To be able to get the new iPhone update, you’ll need one of the following models:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
There are a trio of iPhones that do miss out on the iOS 26 update however, after receiving the iOS 18 update last year.
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
It’s not a massive surprise, considering these handsets are now eight years old and running aging technology. If you currently own one of these iPhones, we’d recommend you consider an upgrade to ensure you’re on the latest software, have access to the newest features, and benefit for ongoing security updates.
Perhaps you’re tempted by one of the new iPhones Apple has just announced, and we’ve found the best iPhone 17 and iPhone Air deals currently available.
When will my iPhone get iOS 26?
If you are fortunate enough to own one of the iPhone models listed above, Apple has confirmed new operating system update will start rolling out on September 15, 2025.
We expect the update to start showing up on iPhones around 10am PT / 1pm ET on September 15.
It may be a little slow to download if you choose to update as soon as it’s available, but within a few hours, it’ll likely become faster and smoother to install iOS 26 on your iPhone.
Should I update my iPhone to iOS 26?
It’s a good question, but our short answer is yes.
We’ve spent months using all versions of the developer and public iOS 26 betas, and the new operating system is looking and feeling polished.
As Nirave Gondhia writes, “this is the shift that I’ve been waiting for. I’ve used the best Android phones alongside the best iPhones for more than a decade, and iOS 26 makes the iPhone almost as good in some areas, and better than Android in others.”
A word of warning though – as this is Apple’s biggest overhaul to its iPhone interface in over a decade, your iPhone will look and feel a little bit different once iOS 26 is installed. It shouldn’t change the actual operation all that much, but it might take you a short while to get comfortable with the new look.
Read more: I’ve used iOS 26, here’s why you should upgrade your iPhone
What about my other Apple devices?
Own more than just an iPhone? Then your other Apple devices could be in line for a major software upgrade as well. We’ve got all the information on the iPadOS 26 supported devices and watchOS 26 supported devices.
