See in case your iPhone is eligible for the free replace

Do you know you’ll be able to officially download iOS 26 in your iPhone? The replace turned accessible yesterday, together with iPadOS 26 and Apple’s other operating system updates. However that is assuming you’ve an eligible system.

In case your cellphone is appropriate with the most recent 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 You might have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is type of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Windows Vista design language.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’ll be able to take a look at our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.

Unsure when you have 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 to run iOS 26.

Whereas Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility listing final yr, that is not the case for 2025, as a couple of 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 likely be left behind.

Yow will discover a full listing 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’ll be able to 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 appropriate with iOS 26

In contrast to final yr, a trio of iPhones will not be eligible to obtain the most recent iOS. These three fashions that have been first launched in 2018 will not be coming to the iOS 26 get together:

iPhones appropriate with iOS 26

Per Apple’s site, the units listed under will likely be appropriate with iOS 26. In brief, when 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

In the meantime, the iPads listed under 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 tremendous. Nonetheless, you may ultimately miss out on safety updates which may 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, in fact, you will not be capable to entry the most recent options iOS 26 affords.

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 handle safety points, so you’ll be able to at the very least obtain that one when you’re uncertain about all the massive modifications on iOS 26. It additionally offers you extra time to attend for Apple to handle any bugs on the brand new OS.

Nonetheless, when 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 by means of probably 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 property display screen is getting revamped with new app icons, together with darkish mode and all-clear choices. You may additionally discover buttons with a brand new floating design. Liquid Glass, in Apple’s phrases, was designed to make the entire firm’s working methods extra visually cohesive.

Telephone app redesign: You may lastly scroll by means of contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new function referred to as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the cellphone so you’ll be able to keep away from the elevator music.

Reside Translate: iOS 26 brings the power to have a dialog through cellphone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Reside Translate will translate your dialog in actual time.

Polls function: Coming to group messages within the Messages app, chat members can now create polls. This will help stop the undesirable 30+ messages in terms of deciding which restaurant you are assembly at this weekend.

New lock screen options: Extra customizable iPhone lock display screen 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 may discover the Digicam app is less complicated to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus positioned in handy spots. Meaning much less swiping, extra photograph taking. Plus, there is a new function 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 on the lookout for a sweater you noticed on a celeb) and you may ask ChatGPT questions concerning the photograph — all from the edit display screen. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the onerous work.