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 examine your cellphone to see in the event you’re eligible for the replace. The brand new OS turned out there 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 will discover substantial changes if you set up the brand new replace. You could have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is kind 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’ll be able to try our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.

Undecided when you’ve got an eligible smartphone or pill but additionally do not wish to improve? No worries, we’ll assist you discover out in case your gadgets will have the ability 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 might be left behind.

Yow will discover a full listing of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beneath. To see every little thing you get with the most recent OS updates, you’ll be able to 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. (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 latest iOS. These three fashions that have 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 gadgets listed beneath might be appropriate with iOS 26. Briefly, when you’ve got 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 beneath 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 high quality. Nevertheless, you will finally 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, in fact, you will not have the ability to entry the most recent options iOS 26 affords.

Ought to I improve to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?

Once you first open Software program Replace in Settings, you will discover two totally different improve choices: iOS 18.7 and iOS 26. Apple launched the previous to deal with safety points, so you’ll be able to no less than obtain that one in the event you’re not sure about all the massive modifications on iOS 26. It additionally offers you extra time to attend for Apple to maintain any bugs on the brand new OS.

Nevertheless, in the event 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 any case, Apple had all summer time to weed by 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 private home 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 all the firm’s working techniques extra visually cohesive.

Cellphone app redesign: You may lastly scroll by contacts, current 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 cellphone so you’ll be able to keep away from the elevator music.

Stay 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. 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 might help stop the undesirable 30+ messages on the subject 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 would 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 easier to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus situated in handy spots. Which means 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: Once 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’ll ask ChatGPT questions concerning the picture — all from the edit display. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the arduous work.