Apple officially released iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 on September 15, bringing a fresh interface, smarter features, and smoother performance to its devices. The update is free for eligible users, though some older iPhones and iPads will no longer be supported.
This release comes right after the debut of the iPhone 17 lineup and the all-new iPhone Air, both of which will ship with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 pre-installed. After weeks of beta testing, Apple is now rolling out the stable version worldwide.
iPhones That Support iOS 26
If you own an iPhone launched in 2019 or later, chances are your device will get iOS 26. Here’s the full list:
- iPhone 17 series
- iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 16 series
- iPhone 15 series
- iPhone 14 series
- iPhone 13 series
- iPhone 12 series
- iPhone 11 series
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
Older models like the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max (2018) will not be eligible for iOS 26. Instead, they’ll receive iOS 18.7, a lighter update focused only on security patches.
iPads That Support iPadOS 26
For iPads, the new update will be available on these models:
- iPad Pro (M4 and 3rd generation or newer)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
- iPad (8th generation and later)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
Any iPad outside this list will remain on older versions and won’t receive iPadOS 26.
What’s New in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26?
Apple is calling the new design language “Liquid Glass”, giving the system a cleaner and more unified look. Along with refreshed menus and apps, animations are noticeably faster, making the overall experience feel smoother.
Some of the standout features include:
- Hold Assist in the Phone app: alerts you when a call center agent actually picks up.
- Group chat polls and improved Live Translate in Messages.
- Lock screen customization with more options.
- A simplified Camera app layout.
- Adjustable alarm snooze times (1–15 minutes).
- A brand-new Games app that organizes all gaming activity in one place.
- Visual Intelligence upgrades with features similar to Google’s Circle to Search, plus ChatGPT integration.
Availability and Rollout
The update is available globally from September 15, and in India, it’s expected to roll out around 10:30 PM IST. Users can check and install the update by heading to Settings > General > Software Update.
Meanwhile, pre-orders for the iPhone 17 lineup began on September 12, with sales officially kicking off on September 19. These devices will come preloaded with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.
With its redesigned interface and AI-powered tools, iOS 26 marks one of the biggest updates Apple has released in recent years.
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