Apple officially unveiled iOS 26 at WWDC 2025, marking the biggest iPhone redesign since iOS 7. The public release is expected on September 15, 2026, alongside the iPhone 17 lineup at the “Awe Dropping” Apple event on September 9, 2026. Currently, iOS 26 is in its developer beta phase, with a public beta rollout scheduled for July 2025.
Supported and Incompatible Devices
iOS 26 will be compatible with most recent iPhones but will drop support for older models.
Incompatible devices:
- iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, iPhone XR
Compatible devices:
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd Gen)
- iPhone 16e
Apple Intelligence features supported on:
- iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
- Entire iPhone 16 series (including 16e)
Key Features
The highlight of iOS 26 is its Liquid Glass design, offering a refreshed interface with redesigned built-in apps. The update also introduces Apple Intelligence, featuring smart summaries, context-aware actions, and enhanced real-time translations.
- Messages: Personalized chat themes, in-chat polls, group typing indicators, and Apple Cash integration.
- Phone: Call screening and Hold Assist to wait on calls until a representative answers.
- Apple Music & Maps: Practical upgrades to improve usability.
How to Download iOS 26
Users can install iOS 26 via the Apple Developer Program or the Public Beta Program:
- Enroll at beta.apple.com or developer.apple.com.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.
- Select iOS 26 Beta and download.
Tip: Always back up your device before installing beta software, as it may contain bugs.