See in case your iPhone is eligible for the free replace

Do you know you may 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 an eligible gadget.

In case your telephone is appropriate with the most recent OS, you may discover substantial changes whenever you set up the brand new replace. You’ll have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is form 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 lots of the different options included within the replace — you may try our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.

Undecided if in case you have an eligible smartphone or pill but in addition do not wish to improve? No worries, we’ll show you how 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 have been the final to obtain the boot in 2023, and this 12 months, iPhones launched in 2018 will probably be left behind.

Yow will discover a full listing of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beneath. To see every part you get with the most recent OS updates, you may 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

Not like final 12 months, a trio of iPhones will not be eligible to obtain the most recent iOS. These three fashions that have been first launched in 2018 will not be coming to the iOS 26 occasion:

iPhones appropriate with iOS 26

Per Apple’s site, the units listed beneath will probably be appropriate with iOS 26. Briefly, if in case 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 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. Nonetheless, you may finally miss out on safety updates which may probably put your telephone 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, 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?

Whenever 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 handle safety points, so you may at the very least obtain that one should you’re uncertain about all the massive modifications on iOS 26. It additionally offers you extra time to attend for Apple to deal with 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 way of 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 house 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 techniques extra visually cohesive.

Cellphone app redesign: You possibly can lastly scroll by way of contacts, latest calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new function known as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the telephone so you may 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 can assist forestall the undesirable 30+ messages in terms 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’d 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 photograph taking. Plus, there is a new function that tells you in case your lens is simply too soiled.

Screenshot revamps: Whenever 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 may ask ChatGPT questions in regards to the photograph — all from the edit display screen. It is like a reverse picture search however with out all of the arduous work.