Discover out in case your iPhone is eligible for the free replace

We have been speaking about it for months and now it is lastly right here. You’ll be able to officially download iOS 26 in your telephone — iPadOS 26 can be out there, in addition to Apple’s other operating system updates — assuming you might have an eligible gadget.

In case your gadget is appropriate with the most recent OS, you may discover substantial changes if you set up the brand new replace. You might have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is type of like Apple’s tackle the previous Windows Vista design language. That is essentially the most notable change, however we spent two weeks test-driving lots of the different options included within the replace — you’ll be able to try our hands-on iOS 26 preview for extra impressions.

Undecided when you have an eligible smartphone or pill but in addition do not wish to improve? No worries, we’ll enable you discover out in case your units will have the ability to run iOS 26.

Whereas Apple did not nix any iPhones from its eligibility record final 12 months, that is not the case for 2025, as a number 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 likely be left behind. In case your gadget is ineligible, Apple additionally launched iOS 18.7 alongside iOS 26 to handle safety points, so you’ll be able to a minimum of obtain that.

Yow will discover a full record of iPhones and iPads that help iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 under. To see all the things you get with the most recent OS updates, you’ll be able to 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. (Try 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 latest 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 under will likely be appropriate with iOS 26. In brief, when 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 under 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 superb. Nevertheless, you may ultimately miss out on safety updates which might doubtlessly 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, after all, you will not have the ability to entry the most recent options iOS 26 gives.

When will iOS 26 turn out to be out there?

As of at present, Monday, September 15, you’ll be able to formally obtain and set up iOS 26.

iOS 26 options to check out first

Liquid Glass design: Your private home 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 methods extra visually cohesive.

Cellphone app redesign: You’ll be able to 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’ll be able to keep away from the elevator music.

Dwell 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. Dwell 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 might help stop the undesirable 30+ messages with regards to 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 will discover the Digital camera app is easier to navigate in iOS 26, with all of the buttons and menus positioned in handy spots. Which means 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: If 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’ll 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 laborious work.