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 cellphone to see when you’re eligible for the replace. The brand new OS turned accessible on Monday this week, together with iPadOS 26 and Apple’s other operating system updates.

In case your cellphone is appropriate with the most recent OS, you may discover substantial changes if you set up the brand new replace. You’ll have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is type of like Apple’s tackle the previous Windows Vista design language. That is probably the most notable change, however we spent two weeks test-driving most of the different options included within the replace — you possibly can try our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.

Undecided you probably have an eligible smartphone or pill but additionally do not need to improve? No worries, we’ll assist you to discover out in case your gadgets will be capable to 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 have been the final to obtain the boot in 2023, and this yr, iPhones launched in 2018 shall be left behind.

You will discover a full record of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 under. To see all the pieces you get with the most recent OS updates, you possibly can try our huge 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. (Try 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 latest 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 gadgets listed under shall be appropriate 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 appropriate 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 need to purchase a brand new iPhone?

If you wish to proceed utilizing your older iPhone that is not supported by iOS 26, that is nice. Nevertheless, you may finally miss out on safety updates which might doubtlessly 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 presents.

Ought to I improve to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?

While you first open Software program Replace in Settings, you may discover two completely different improve choices: iOS 18.7 and iOS 26. Apple launched the previous to handle safety points, so you possibly can not less than obtain that one when you’re uncertain 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.

Nevertheless, 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 section and often releases a brand new replace shortly after the preliminary launch.

iOS 26 options to check out first

Liquid Glass design: Your house 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 techniques extra visually cohesive.

Cellphone app redesign: You possibly can lastly scroll by means of contacts, latest 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 possibly can keep away from the elevator music.

Dwell Translate: iOS 26 brings the power to have a dialog by way of cellphone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Dwell 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 forestall the undesirable 30+ messages relating to 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 (in order for you). 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 easier to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus situated in handy spots. Meaning much less swiping, extra photograph taking. Plus, there is a new function that tells you in case your lens is just too soiled.

Screenshot revamps: While 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 may ask ChatGPT questions in regards to the photograph — all from the edit display screen. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the arduous work.