iOS 26 Supported Devices: Which iPhones Will Get iOS 26

Apple’s iOS gets two major updates this year. All the Apple OSes, including macOS 26, iPadOS 26,watchOS 26, and iOS, will have a version number matching the year. For instance, instead of iOS 19, this year’s update will start with iOS 26, matching the year.

The new Liquid Glass design language introduced this year brings a complete overhaul to all operating systems, including iOS 26. Unlike the previous year, this time, iOS 26 is mainly focused on redesigning the interface, and Apple Intelligence received less attention in the keynote.

However, compared to Android, iOS always has an advantage in rolling out updates more quickly. And like every year, the iOS 26 developer beta is already available to download and install on your supported iPhone. I have installed it on my iPhone 14 Plus.

Like every year, Apple drops iOS support for older iPhones. If you are considering updating to the latest iOS 26 or want to check if your current iPhone supports iOS 26, here is a list of supported devices along with the expected timeline.

iOS 26 Supported Device List

Apple iOS 26 will be available for all iPhones starting from the iPhone 11, including the affordable iPhone SE models.

iPhone 16 Series

• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 15 Series

• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 14 Series

• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 13 Series

• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 12 Series

• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 11 Series

• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone SE Series

• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)

iOS 26 Expected Rollout Timeline

Apple is expected to follow a similar rollout timeline for iOS 26 as it did for iOS 18. Based on this, the stable update is expected to roll out starting in September, and the iPhone 17 series will be the first to debut with iOS 26 out of the box. Here is the timeline for iOS 18 and the expected timeline for iOS 26.

iOS 26 Screenshots

5 Big Changes Coming to iOS 26

The biggest change this year in iOS 26 is the new design language. This is the biggest overhaul of iOS for years.

Apple calls it the new Liquid Glass design, which is more transparent, glassy, and modern. It resembles the Windows Aero Glass design that we have seen in the past.

From the system core interface to the Apple apps, including icons, every page gets a new design treatment.

I have been using it for over six hours, and I have mixed feelings about the design. The new 3D glass icons on iOS 26 feel like a random third-party launcher skin, and the control center feels very cluttered, with no differentiation between the background and controls.

However, the animations seem very fluid, and also the new bottom search bar on all major Apple apps makes it easy to access with one-handed usage.

Plus, Apple’s system apps also get a major design overhaul, and they are completely different from what we have experienced over the last several years.

The camera app gets a major redesign with a completely new interface and is easier to navigate with fewer visible features. There are plenty of other changes across the board, too.

Apple Intelligence – Gets Two New Useful Features

While Apple Intelligence doesn’t get as much attention as it did in iOS 18, Apple adds a couple of useful features to Apple Intelligence.

First, live translation is now supported locally on the device, letting you use it across different apps and functions such as Phone, Messages, and FaceTime.

Plus, it also comes with real-time translation, which now your iPhone can translate text instantly in real-time locally on your device without requiring an internet connection.

The image playground, which was introduced in iOS 18, is also getting an upgrade now, which lets you personalize emojis in different styles and combine them.

New Calling Features

The Phone app, which remained the same for years, is also getting a major design with a unified tab that hosts favorites, recent, and voicemail.

It seems like Apple is giving users an option to stay with the old interface or switch to the new one; at least in my case, it prompted me to switch or stay with the current design.

The biggest update for Phone is call screening support, which can now take calls for you to avoid spam and shows the information before you pick up the call.

Of course, this might be limited to the US at first, with a wider rollout expected later this year. There is also a new handy hold assistant that stays on hold for you, especially during annoying customer care calls, which generally have long wait times.

Messages – Gets Group Polls and Chat Background

iMessage also gets a new interface design and new features with this update.

Now you can set a conversational background for each chat, and finally, group chats get support for typing indicators as well as group polls, which also come with editing functions, letting other participants add poll options.

Also, Apple Pay is now integrated directly into iMessage, which can be helpful for bill splits and sending money right from iMessage.

New Apple Games App

For the first time, Apple has added a dedicated gaming app for iPhone, which lets you discover, track, and socialize with games.

You can also see all your installed games, access Apple Arcade, view the latest reports, and discover what your friends are doing.

Battery Updates

Battery management on iPhone also receives a useful upgrade, now supporting Adaptive Power Mode, which automatically adjusts your iPhone settings to save battery life when needed.

Finally, Apple adds a charging estimate timer, which allows you to see when your phone will reach 80 percent while charging. There are also useful notifications when your device is charging slowly or has any battery issues.

Those are the five major upgrades coming to iOS 26. Plus, with iOS 26, Apple is also letting developers access on-device AI features in apps, which can bring new opportunities for third-party apps. Here is a complete change log coming to iOS 26.

iOS 26 Changelog:

New Liquid Glass Design:

• Transparent, glass-like look across all system screens
• Redesigned Lock Screen, Home Screen, Camera, Safari, and Messages
• Smoother animations and floating buttons

Apple Intelligence (AI Features):

• Live translation for text, calls, and FaceTime (on supported devices)
• Detect objects and text from screenshots
• Generate images and new emojis with AI
• Smarter Siri and better system suggestions

Phone and Calls:

• Recents, Favorites, and Voicemail are now in one view
• Call screening with AI
• Hold Assist alerts you when someone picks up

Messages:

• Group chat typing indicators
• Polls inside group chats
• Custom chat backgrounds
• Send/receive Apple Cash in groups
• Unknown senders are filtered to a separate folder

Photos & Camera:

• 3D spatial photo effects for Lock Screen and backgrounds
• Photos app has Library and Collections tabs again
• Camera app matches new visual style

Apple Music:

• AutoMix transitions between songs using AI
• Translate lyrics with pronunciation help

Apple Games App:

• New app for all your App Store and Arcade games
• Includes Game Center features

Maps:

• Learns your daily routes and gives delay alerts
• See all places you’ve visited

Wallet & Apple Pay:

• Digital ID support (US only)
• Boarding passes now include airport maps and baggage tracking

Notes:

• Record and transcribe calls
• Export notes in Markdown format

Alarms:

• Set your own snooze times

Accessibility:

• New Accessibility Reader
• Better braille and voice support
• Improved Live Listen and background sounds

Battery and Power:

• Adaptive power saving mode
• New battery health tools

How to Install iOS 26 Developer Beta on Your iPhone

iOS 26 is already available as a developer beta. To install, ensure your device is on the supported list.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update and select Developer Beta, then update your iPhone to iOS 26.

Since it is a developer beta, there are many bugs, and we highly recommend not installing it if your current iPhone is your primary device.