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 obtainable yesterday, together with iPadOS 26 and Apple’s other operating system updates. However that is assuming you’ve gotten an eligible machine.

In case your telephone is appropriate with the newest 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 You will have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is kind of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Windows Vista design language.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’ll be able to take a look at 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 make it easier to discover out in case your units will be capable of 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 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 will probably be left behind.

You’ll find a full checklist of iPhones and iPads that assist iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beneath. To see the whole lot you get with the newest OS updates, you’ll be able to take a look at our large 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. (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 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 beneath will probably 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 technology or later)

iPads appropriate with iPadOS 26

In the meantime, the iPads listed beneath 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 tremendous. Nonetheless, you may ultimately miss out on safety updates which may doubtlessly put your telephone 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 of entry the newest options iOS 26 provides.

Ought to I improve to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?

Once 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’ll be able to not less than obtain that one when you’re not sure about all the large adjustments on iOS 26. It additionally provides you extra time to attend for Apple to maintain any bugs on the brand new OS.

Nonetheless, when 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 part and often releases a brand new replace shortly after the preliminary launch.

iOS 26 options to check out first

Liquid Glass design: Your private 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 methods extra visually cohesive.

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

Reside 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. 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 might help forestall the undesirable 30+ messages in relation to 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 (in order for you). 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 less complicated to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus positioned in handy spots. Which means much less swiping, extra picture taking. Plus, there is a new function that tells you in case your lens is just too soiled.

Screenshot revamps: Once 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 onerous work.