Able to obtain iOS 26? See in case your iPhone is eligible for the free replace first

Now that iOS 26 is offered to obtain for a lot of iPhone customers — here’s how to install it — it is time to test your cellphone to see if you happen to’re eligible for the replace. The brand new OS grew to become 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 newest OS, you will discover substantial changes while 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 You could have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is kind of like Apple’s tackle the outdated Windows Vista design language.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 possibly can take a look at our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.

Undecided in case you have 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 units will be capable of run iOS 26.

Whereas Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility checklist 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 can be left behind.

Yow will discover a full checklist of iPhones and iPads that assist iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beneath. To see every part you get with the newest OS updates, you possibly can take a look at our large 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 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 units listed beneath can be appropriate with iOS 26. In brief, in case you 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 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 effective. Nonetheless, you will ultimately miss out on safety updates which might 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, after all, you will not be capable of entry the newest options iOS 26 presents.

Ought to I improve to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?

Whenever you first open Software program Replace in Settings, you will discover two completely different improve choices: iOS 18.7 and iOS 26. Apple launched the previous to deal with safety points, so you possibly can at the least obtain that one if you happen to’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, if you happen to’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 spite of everything, Apple had all summer time to weed by way of probably the most problematic bugs throughout its beta section and normally 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 all the firm’s working programs extra visually cohesive.

Telephone app redesign: You’ll be able to lastly scroll by way of contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. 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 possibly can keep away from the elevator music.

Dwell 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. Dwell 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 in the case 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 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 just too soiled.

Screenshot revamps: Whenever 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 exhausting work.