See if your iPhone is eligible for the free update

Did you know that you can download iOS 26 officially on your iPhone? The update is available yesterday, along with iPados 26 and other Apple operating system updates. But this is assumed that you have a qualified device.

If your phone is compatible with the latest operating system, you will notice major changes when installing the new update. You may have already heard of “liquid glass”, which (deliberate or not) is somewhat similar to that Apple takes the old Windows Vista design language. This is the most prominent change, but we spent two weeks to lead many other features listed in the update-you can see the IOS 26 process for more impressions.

Not sure if you have a qualified smartphone or a tablet but you also don’t want to upgrade? Don’t worry, we will help you know if your devices will be able to run iOS 26.

Although Apple did not do any iPhone from its own eligibility list last year, this is not the case for 2025, where a few models get the ax this time. All iPhone 8 and iPhone X models were the last that got the shoe in 2023, and the iPhone devices that were released in 2018 will be left this year.

You can find a full menu of iPhone and iPad that supports iOS 26 and iPados 26 below. To view everything you get with the latest operating system updates, you can see our great target for what can be expected from iOS 26. In addition, here is everything you have revealed at the IPHONE 17 launch event, including the completely new iPhone Air. (Check the English’s Live of the Event to get full details.)

These iOS 18 iPhone are not compatible with iOS 26

Unlike last year, an iPhone will not be qualified to download the latest iOS. These three models that were first released in 2018 will not come to the iOS 26 party:

iPhone is compatible with iOS 26

On the Apple website, the devices below will be compatible with iOS 26. In short, if you have iPhone announced in 2019 or later, you are clear:

• iPhone SE (second generation or later)

iPads is compatible with iPados 26

Meanwhile, the iPad devices below are eligible to download iPados 26:

• iPad Pro 12.9 – INCH (third generation and then)

• iPad Pro 11 – Inch (first generation and beyond)

• iPad Air (and then, including M2 and M3)

• IPAD (and after that generation, including A16)

• ipad mini (fifth generation and then, including A17 Pro)

What if you don’t want to buy a new iPhone?

If you want to continue using the oldest iPhone that IOS 26 does not support, there is nothing wrong with that. However, you will eventually lose safety updates that can expose your phone to the risk of malware and other threats. In addition, some applications may stop working if they require a specific version of iOS or later. Of course, you will not be able to reach the latest features of iOS 26.

Should I upgrade to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?

When you open the software update first in the settings, you will notice two different options for the upgrade: iOS 18.7 and iOS 26. The previous Apple has released to confront safety problems, so you can at least download it if you are not sure of all the big changes on iOS 26. It also gives you more time to wait for Apple to care for any errors on the new operating system.

However, if you are excited at the end, get the aesthetic of liquid glass on your phone and use all the new features offered by iOS 26, move forward and install it. After all, the Apple had every summer to be able to herbs through the most problematic errors during the trial version stage and usually issue a new update after a short period of initial launch.

iOS 26 features to try it first

Liquid glass design: Your main screen is renewed with new application icons, including Dark Mode and Elsclear mode. You will also notice buttons with a new floating design. Liquid glass, in terms of Apple, is designed to make all operating systems for the company more visually coherent.

Re -Design the phone application: Finally, you can scroll through the contacts, modern calls and voice mail messages on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that will teach you when an agent comes to the phone so that you can avoid elevator music.

Live translation: IOS 26 brings the ability to have a conversation through a phone call or a text message with someone who speaks another language. Live will translate your conversation in actual time.

Opinion polls: Upon arrival in collective messages in the messaging application, chat members can now create opinion polls. This can help prevent 30+ unwanted messages when it comes to identifying the restaurant you meet this weekend.

New lock screen options: More customized iPhone lock screen options are available with iOS 26, including cooler watch, 3D rear effects, more mini tools and better focus options.

Longer nap (or shorter): Say goodbye to preparing the nap for 9 minutes in your alarm devices (if you want). You now have the option to change the nap time from a minute to 15 minutes.

Fresh camera application design: You will find that the camera application is simpler to move in iOS 26, with all the buttons and menus in comfortable places. This means lower beating, and more take pictures. In addition, there is a new feature that tells you if it is a very dirty lens.

Screen shot renovations: When you take a screenshot, you now have the option to search for the image on Google (maybe you are looking for a jacket you have seen on celebrities) and you can ask Chatgpt questions about the image – all from the editing screen. It is like searching for reverse images, but without all the hard work.