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 verify your telephone to see should 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 telephone is suitable with the newest 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 form of like Apple’s tackle the previous 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 possibly can try our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.

Undecided when you have an eligible smartphone or pill but additionally do not need to improve? No worries, we’ll make it easier to discover out in case your gadgets will have the ability to run iOS 26.

Whereas Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility checklist 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 will probably be left behind.

You will discover a full checklist of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 under. To see the whole lot you get with the newest OS updates, you possibly can try our massive rundown of what to expect from iOS 26. Moreover, here 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 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 suitable with iOS 26

Per Apple’s site, the gadgets listed under will probably be suitable with iOS 26. Briefly, when you have an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you are within the clear:

• iPhone SE (second technology 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 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 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 superb. Nevertheless, you may ultimately miss out on safety updates which may doubtlessly put your telephone 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 have the ability to entry the newest 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 deal with safety points, so you possibly can at the least obtain that one should you’re not sure about all the massive adjustments on iOS 26. It additionally provides you extra time to attend for Apple to maintain any bugs on the brand new OS.

Nevertheless, should you’re excited to lastly have the Liquid Glass aesthetic in your telephone 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 essentially 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 property display 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.

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

Dwell Translate: iOS 26 brings the power to have a dialog by way of telephone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Dwell 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 can assist forestall 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 may 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 photograph taking. Plus, there is a new characteristic that tells you in case your lens is simply too soiled.

Screenshot revamps: While you take a screenshot, you now have the choice to seek for the picture on Google (possibly you are in search of a sweater you noticed on a celeb) and you’ll ask ChatGPT questions in regards to the photograph — all from the edit display. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the onerous work.