A slew of recent modifications are coming to your iPhone’s working system this fall — oh, and it will be known as iOS 26, not iOS 19. Included within the checklist is the new Liquid Glass design (assume Home windows Vista, however arguably extra considerate), which appears to be Apple’s largest visible replace in years. We spent two weeks test-driving it — you may take a look at our detailed hands-on iOS 26 preview, or you may strive it out your self by downloading and putting in the general public beta, which grew to become accessible at the moment. However the greatest query we’re all questioning: Will my iPhone have the ability to run iOS 26?
Final yr, Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility checklist, however that is not the case for 2025 — just a few fashions are getting minimize this time. All iPhone 8 fashions and the iPhone X have been the final to get the boot in 2023, and this yr the 2018 fashions are getting left behind. When you’ve got an ineligible system, you will not have the ability to obtain iOS 26 when it turns into accessible this fall.
We’ll resolve which iPhones will assist iOS 26 this yr. To see what’s coming with the newest OS and extra, take a look at every thing introduced at Apple’s WWDC June 9 occasion.
These three iPhones will not be appropriate with iOS 26
In contrast to final yr, a number of iPhone fashions will not be eligible to obtain the latest iOS when it makes its debut this fall. This trio of fashions first launched in 2018 will not be coming to the iOS 26 celebration:
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iPhone XR
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iPhone XS
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iPhone XS Max
iPhones appropriate with iOS 26
Whereas we do not but know the brand new iPhones Apple will likely be dropping this fall — although there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple’s website, that the telephones listed beneath will likely be appropriate with iOS 26. Principally, when you’ve got an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you are within the clear:
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 fantastic. Nonetheless, you may miss out on safety updates which may probably put your cellphone 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 naturally, you will not have the ability to entry the newest options iOS 26 presents.
When will iOS 26 turn out to be accessible?
Apple often rolls out its newest iOS in mid-September, only a few days earlier than the brand new iPhones hit retailer cabinets. Final yr, it launched iOS 18 on Monday, Sept. 16. Anticipate a affirmation of the discharge date at that iPhone 17 occasion, anticipated in early September.
iOS 26 options we’re enthusiastic about
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 was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes extra cohesive.
Telephone app redesign: You may lastly have the ability to scroll by way of contacts, latest 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 may keep away from the elevator music.
Dwell Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the power to have a dialog through cellphone 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 will have the ability to create polls. This will help forestall the undesirable 30+ messages in relation to deciding which restaurant you are assembly at this weekend.
