iOS 26 Update Out Now: Which iPhones and iPads Will Get Apple’s Upgrade?

Apple has started releasing the stable versions of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 to eligible iPhones and iPads from today. The rollout follows weeks of beta testing and comes shortly after the unveiling of the iPhone 17 lineup and the new iPhone Air. Both iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are available as free downloads, though older models will not be included in the upgrade.

The latest iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are already available for pre-order with shipments beginning September 19. All new iPhones and iPads will ship with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 pre-installed.

iOS 26 will be compatible with iPhones released from 2019 onward. The supported models include:

* 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)

Models released in 2018, such as the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max, will not receive iOS 26. These devices, along with other older models, will instead get iOS 18.7, which will primarily provide security updates.

iPads eligible for iPadOS 26

For iPadOS 26, support extends to:

* 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)

iPads not included in this list will remain on earlier versions and will not receive the new software.

Apple has introduced several new functions with the latest update. The redesigned interface, branded as Liquid Glass, offers a more consistent look across menus and applications. The system also gets smoother animations and faster transitions.

The Phone app introduces Hold Assist, which alerts users when a call centre agent joins the line. In Messages, group chats gain support for polls, while Live Translate sees improvements. Lock screen customization expands further, and the Camera app has been simplified for easier use.

The update also adds a dedicated Games app to consolidate gaming activity, while Visual Intelligence integrates new tools similar to Google’s Circle to Search along with ChatGPT support. Alarm snooze duration can now be set between one and fifteen minutes.

The rollout for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 begins globally today, including India, where downloads are expected to go live around 10:30 pm. The updates can be installed via the Settings menu on supported devices.

Pre-orders for the new iPhone 17 models opened on September 12, with sales beginning September 19. All new units will ship with the latest software.