If you're reading this on an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR — we've got some bad news. Apple just unveiled its blockbuster new update to iOS at its Worldwide Developers Conference, but your handset is going to miss out.
It's called iOS 26 and it'll bring a brand-new design — called Liquid Glass — that touches every corner of the operating system, real-time translation in FaceTime calls, a redesign to the Phone app, new Genmoji features, and much more.
If you own an iPhone 11 or newer, you'll be able to upgrade to iOS 26 when it launches in the coming months.
iOS 26 brings a new design to the Phone app, unifying Recent Calls and Favourites into a single tab
APPLE PRESS OFFICE
But if you own any of the following handsets, you'll miss out:
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
iPhone XS and XS Max were first released back in September 21, 2018, while iPhone XR followed one month later. That means these smartphones have been able to update to the latest-and-greatest operating system from Apple for the last 7 years. However, iOS 18 will be the final major update you'll receive.
Don't panic. If you own one of these iPhone models, it'll continue to work. You'll also continue to receive security updates and critical bug fixes. However, the exciting new features showcased in the keynote won't be coming to your device.
The following iPhone models will be able to upgrade to iOS 26 when it releases:
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
You'll notice that Apple has jumped from iOS 18 to iOS 26, switching to a new year-based naming convention, rather than sequential version numbers.
All of Apple's software is now numbered in an identical manner, with iOS 26 joining the likes of iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26 and tvOS 26. It's these new releases that bring the new Liquid Glass design.
iOS 26 adds the ability to make app icons clear, letting you see through to your wallpaper at all times. Dark Mode, introduced back in 2019, is also supported in the new Liquid Glass design too APPLE PRESS OFFICE Not all features coming in iOS 26 will be accessible on all of these devices. For example, if you're hoping to test out the latest changes in Apple Intelligence, you'll need an iPhone 15 or newer, since these capabilities remain limited to more recent devices. As much as possible, Apple Intelligence attempts to run on-device, so you'll need one of Apple's latest processors to be able to handle those tasks.
If you want to try iOS 26 before its official release, you have options. The developer beta is available now, whilst a public beta will arrive in July for those eager to test the new features early.
Be warned — beta software can be unstable and might break compatibility with some of your favourite apps or accessories, so you should avoid installing it if you depend on your iPhone for essential communication. This early software is an opportunity for developers to test the new features, provide feedback to Apple, and add compatibility with the latest changes to their own applications.
The final, finished version of iOS 26 will launch in the autumn, usually sometime in September. In previous years, this release is timed around the launch of a new iPhone model, which has the latest version of iOS running out-of-the-box.
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