iOS 26 Update: iPhones That Will and Won’t Get It
Apple confirms iOS 26 release. iPhone 15 Pro or newer needed for top features. Older iPhones lose support. See if your phone makes the cut.
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Apple is preparing to release its iOS 26 update alongside the expected iPhone 17 series launch in the coming months. The company is calling this the most substantial visual redesign since iOS 7, signaling a major shift in user interface aesthetics.
The iOS 26 developer beta is currently accessible to registered developers. However, Apple has advised users to refrain from installing the beta on primary devices. The public beta version is scheduled to launch in July.
Apple confirmed that iPhones starting from the iPhone 11 lineup and newer will receive the iOS 26 update. Models eligible for the upgrade include:
* iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
* iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
* iPhone 12 series
* iPhone 13 series
* iPhone 14 series
* iPhone 15 series
* iPhone 16e, 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
In contrast, the iPhone X, Xs, and Xr models will not be supported going forward. Users on these older versions are being encouraged to consider upgrading to maintain access to future updates and security features.
The inclusion of the iPhone SE (2nd generation) in the support list was notable, but Apple clarified that advanced AI-powered tools introduced in iOS 26 will only be compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro and newer devices.
In related announcements, Apple stated that macOS 26 Tahoe will be the final update for Intel-based Mac models. This marks the end of support for devices like MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac powered by Intel chips. Users are being advised to transition to Apple Silicon-based machines ahead of macOS 27’s release in 2026.
