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 will have an eligible gadget.

In case your telephone is appropriate with the newest OS, you may discover substantial changes once you set up the brand new replace. You will have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is type of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Windows Vista design language.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’ll be able to take a look at our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.

Unsure when you’ve got an eligible smartphone or pill but in addition do not wish to improve? No worries, we’ll allow you to discover out in case your gadgets will be capable 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 had been the final to obtain the boot in 2023, and this yr, iPhones launched in 2018 might be left behind.

You’ll find a full listing of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beneath. To see all the pieces 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 yr, a trio of iPhones will not be eligible to obtain the most recent iOS. These three fashions that had been first launched in 2018 will not be coming to the iOS 26 occasion:

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 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 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 might 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, after all, you will not be capable to 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 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 a minimum of 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 care for any bugs on the brand new OS.

Nonetheless, 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 season 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 property 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, 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, 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 telephone so you’ll be able to keep away from the elevator music.

Stay Translate: iOS 26 brings the flexibility to have a dialog through telephone 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 forestall 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 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 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. 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 (perhaps you are on the lookout for a sweater you noticed on a celeb) and you may ask ChatGPT questions concerning the picture — all from the edit display screen. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the arduous work.