Apple’s new iOS 26 public beta 4 is right here, however is your iPhone suitable? Verify this listing

The Apple iPhone event is almost right here, which suggests we’ll quickly get to obtain iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. The OS 26es are coming with huge upgrades to your iPhone and iPad’s working techniques. You’ve got heard of Liquid Glass, proper? It is just like the better-executed model of Windows Vista and positively one of many cooler options coming this fall. We spent two weeks test-driving it — you may take a look at our detailed hands-on iOS 26 preview, or you may attempt it out your self by downloading and installing the public beta 4. That software program is a extra secure iteration of the separate developer model, which lately hit the beta 7 waypoint, and gives just a few extra flashy features not but out there within the public model. (Whereas the general public beta is open to everybody and fairly secure, at all times bear in mind there is a diploma of threat concerned with beta software program.) Moreover, there are credible reviews that iOS 26 may carry a new live translation feature to AirPods, too. Undecided if you wish to improve your smartphone or pill this yr? No worries, we’ll provide help 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 yr, that is not the case for 2025 — just a few fashions are getting lower this time. All iPhone 8 fashions and the iPhone X had been the final to get the boot in 2023, and this yr the 2018 fashions are getting left behind. When you have an ineligible system, you will not have the ability to obtain iOS 26 when it turns into out there this fall.

We’ll unravel which iPhones and iPads will assist iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 this yr. To see what’s coming with the most recent OSes, take a look at everything announced at Apple’s WWDC June 9 event. One factor you should not instantly count on is Apple’s updated version of Siri, although the corporate is reportedly engaged on a ‘stripped-down’ AI chatbot to compete with ChatGPT.

These three iPhones will not be suitable with iOS 26

Not like 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 social gathering:

iPhones suitable with iOS 26

Whereas we do not but know the brand new iPhones Apple can be dropping this fall — although there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple’s site, that the telephones listed under can be suitable with iOS 26. Principally, you probably have an iPhone that was introduced in 2019 or later, you are within the clear:

• iPhone SE (second technology or later)

iPads suitable with iPadOS 26

The iPads listed under, and any iPads launched later this yr, 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 high quality. Nonetheless, you will miss out on safety updates which may probably 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 naturally, you will not have the ability to entry the most recent options iOS 26 gives.

When will iOS 26 grow to be out there?

Apple normally rolls out its newest iOS in mid-September, just some 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 on the iPhone 17 occasion, anticipated in early September.

iOS 26 options we’re enthusiastic about

Liquid Glass design: Your own 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 was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes extra cohesive.

Cellphone app redesign: You may lastly have the ability to scroll via contacts, latest calls and voicemail messages all on one display. It additionally comes with a brand new function known as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the cellphone so you may keep away from the elevator music.

Reside Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the flexibility to have a dialog by way of cellphone 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 will have the ability to create polls. This can assist stop the undesirable 30+ messages in relation to deciding which restaurant you are assembly at this weekend.