See in case your iPhone is eligible for the free replace

Do you know you may officially download iOS 26 in your iPhone? The replace turned out there yesterday, together with iPadOS 26 and Apple’s other operating system updates. However that is assuming you could have an eligible machine.

In case your cellphone is suitable with the most recent OS, you may discover substantial changes while you set up the brand new replace. You will have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is kind of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Windows Vista design language.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 essentially 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 you probably have an eligible smartphone or pill but in addition do not wish to improve? No worries, we’ll aid you discover out in case your units will be capable to run iOS 26.

Whereas Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility checklist final 12 months, 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 had been the final to obtain the boot in 2023, and this 12 months, iPhones launched in 2018 might be left behind.

You’ll find a full checklist of iPhones and iPads that assist iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 under. To see the whole lot you get with the most recent OS updates, you may take a look at our massive rundown of what to expect from iOS 26. Moreover, this is everything Apple revealed on the iPhone 17 launch occasion, together with the all-new iPhone Air. (Take a look at Engadget’s liveblog of the event for full particulars.)

These three iOS 18 iPhones aren’t suitable with iOS 26

Not like final 12 months, a trio of iPhones will not be eligible to obtain the latest iOS. These three fashions that had been first launched in 2018 will not be coming to the iOS 26 social gathering:

iPhones suitable with iOS 26

Per Apple’s site, the units listed under might be suitable with iOS 26. In brief, you probably have 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 superb. Nonetheless, you may finally miss out on safety updates which might doubtlessly put your cellphone in danger for malware and different threats. Moreover, some apps might cease working in the event that they require a sure model of iOS or later. And, after all, you will not be capable to entry the most recent options iOS 26 presents.

Ought to I improve to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?

If 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 deal with safety points, so you may a minimum of obtain that one in the event you’re not sure about all the large modifications on iOS 26. It additionally offers you extra time to attend for Apple to deal with any bugs on the brand new OS.

Nonetheless, in the event you’re excited to lastly have the Liquid Glass aesthetic in your cellphone 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 via essentially the most problematic bugs throughout its beta part and normally 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 the entire firm’s working techniques extra visually cohesive.

Cellphone app redesign: You possibly can lastly scroll via contacts, current 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 may keep away from the elevator music.

Stay Translate: iOS 26 brings the flexibility to have a dialog by way of cellphone 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 the case of 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 need). You now 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 situated in handy spots. Meaning much less swiping, extra picture 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 now 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 picture — all from the edit display. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the arduous work.