Apple will release iOS 26 on Monday, September 15. Much has changed in Apple’s iPhone software, including a new translucent “Liquid Glass” redesign along with several new features and updates to its core apps. If you’re looking to install iOS 26, you should make sure that your iPhone model is compatible, otherwise it won’t show up in Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update on your device on the day it rolls out.
iOS 26 – iPhone Compatibility List
iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. In other words, the following models are supported:
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)
Note that this compatibility list does not mean that all iOS 26 features will work with the above models. Several of the update’s features are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, since they rely on Apple Intelligence. You can learn more about them here.
Note that iOS 26 will come pre-installed on new iPhone 17 models when they launch on Friday, September 19, 2025.
iOS 26: Liquid Glass and More
iOS 26 introduces a bold new design and intelligent features across the system. The new Liquid Glass interface brings a translucent, reactive look to the Lock Screen and apps, with time and elements adapting fluidly to wallpaper and motion. App icons and widgets can also now appear in a clear, customizable style.
In iOS 26, apps benefit from a more content-focused layout: Safari now flows edge-to-edge, Camera has a streamlined interface, and Photos adds new Library and Collections tabs. Meanwhile, tab bars in Music, News, and Podcasts shrink during browsing to emphasize content.
Apple Intelligence is upgraded with Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, plus Visual Intelligence now lets users analyze on-screen content to search or ask questions. Elsewhere, Genmoji and Image Playground now support more creative mixing, and Shortcuts gains AI-based smart actions.
In addition, the Phone app gets a unified view of Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail, along with Call Screening and Hold Assist, while Messages adds sender screening, group chat polls, and backgrounds. CarPlay also sees visual improvements and smarter alerts.
Other updates include: Apple Music’s AutoMix feature and lyrics translation, Maps’ Visited Places, Wallet’s installment payments and rewards, and a new Apple Games app as the hub for Apple Arcade.