Able to obtain iOS 26? See in case your iPhone is eligible for the free replace first

Now that iOS 26 is out there to obtain for a lot of iPhone customers — here’s how to install it — it is time to verify your cellphone to see if you happen to’re eligible for the replace. The brand new OS turned obtainable 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 once you set up the brand new replace. You might have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is kind of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Windows Vista design language.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 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 when you have an eligible smartphone or pill but in addition do not wish to improve? No worries, we’ll provide help to discover out in case your units will have the ability to run iOS 26.

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

You could find a full listing of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 under. To see every part you get with the most recent OS updates, you possibly can try our large 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

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 appropriate with iOS 26

Per Apple’s site, the units listed under shall be appropriate with iOS 26. Briefly, when you 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 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 advantageous. Nonetheless, you may ultimately miss out on safety updates which may 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, after all, you will not have the ability 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 handle safety points, so you possibly can a minimum of obtain that one if you happen to’re uncertain about all the massive modifications on iOS 26. It additionally provides you extra time to attend for Apple to deal with any bugs on the brand new OS.

Nonetheless, if you happen to’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 season to weed by way of probably the most problematic bugs throughout its beta section and normally releases a brand new replace shortly after the preliminary launch.

iOS 26 options to check out first

Liquid Glass design: Your private home display screen 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 programs extra visually cohesive.

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

Stay Translate: iOS 26 brings the flexibility to have a dialog through 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 may also help stop the undesirable 30+ messages with regards 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 (if you would like). You now have the choice to change your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.

Fresh Camera app design: You will discover the Digital camera app is easier to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus positioned 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 (perhaps you are in search of a sweater you noticed on a celeb) and you may ask ChatGPT questions in regards to the picture — all from the edit display screen. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the onerous work.