The rollout of iOS 26 is imminent, slated too begin September 15th, following a comprehensive beta testing phase for both developers and the public. Though, not all devices within the Apple ecosystem will be eligible for the upgrade. The operating system will be selectively available for specific iPhone models.
Official Announcement at WWDC 2025
Table of Contents
- 1. Official Announcement at WWDC 2025
- 2. Which iPhones Will Support iOS 26?
- 3. Exclusive Features and Hardware Requirements
- 4. Unsupported iPhone Models
- 5. Understanding apple’s Software Support Lifecycle
- 6. Frequently Asked Questions about iOS 26
- 7. What factors might cause a delay in receiving the iOS 16 update on a compatible iPhone?
- 8. iOS 16 Release Timeline: Which iPhones Will receive the Update from September 15
- 9. iPhone Compatibility: A Complete List
- 10. Understanding the Phased Rollout of iOS Updates
- 11. Key iOS 16 Features & Benefits
- 12. Troubleshooting Update Issues: What to Do If You Don’t See iOS 16
Apple unveiled the latest operating system at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 in June. The final release is scheduled to coincide with the arrival of the new iPhone 17 models on September 19th, according to recent reports.
Which iPhones Will Support iOS 26?
Apple typically provides several years of software support for its devices, ensuring users continue to receive critically important updates and security patches. In this instance, iOS 26 will be compatible with iPhones starting with the iPhone 11. A comprehensive list of supported devices is detailed below.
| Compatible iPhone Models |
|---|
| iPhone 11 |
| iPhone 11 Pro |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max |
| iPhone 12 |
| iPhone 12 mini |
| iPhone 12 pro |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| iPhone 13 |
| iPhone 13 mini |
| iPhone 13 pro |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max |
| iPhone 14 |
| iPhone 14 Plus |
| iPhone 14 Pro |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max |
| iPhone 15 |
| iPhone 15 Plus |
| iPhone 15 Pro |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max |
| iPhone 16 |
| iPhone 16 plus |
| iPhone 16 Pro |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max |
| iPhone 17 |
| iPhone 17 Plus |
| iPhone 17 Pro |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max |
Exclusive Features and Hardware Requirements
It’s important to note that certain new features within iOS 26 will not be universally available across all compatible devices. Functions requiring critically important processing power,such as Apple Intelligence,will be limited to newer models. specifically, Apple Intelligence capabilities will be restricted to iPhones equipped with A17 or higher chips and increased RAM, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro series.
Unsupported iPhone Models
Several older iPhone models will not receive the iOS 26 update and will remain on iOS 18.These include:
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone 5s
- all previous models
Apple typically continues to provide security updates for these older devices for a period, ensuring continued safe usage, even though without access to the latest features. Learn more about apple’s security features.
Understanding apple’s Software Support Lifecycle
Apple’s decision to limit software updates is often based on hardware capabilities. Newer operating systems demand more processing power and memory to function optimally. Maintaining software support for older devices can become increasingly challenging and may compromise performance. This approach allows Apple to focus resources on optimizing the user experience for current and newer hardware.
Did You Know? Apple typically supports iPhones with software updates for 5-7 years after their initial release.
Frequently Asked Questions about iOS 26
Will you be upgrading to iOS 26 on September 15th? What new features are you most excited about?
What factors might cause a delay in receiving the iOS 16 update on a compatible iPhone?
iOS 16 Release Timeline: Which iPhones Will receive the Update from September 15
iPhone Compatibility: A Complete List
As of September 10, 2025, the anticipation for iOS 16 is high. Users are eager to know if their devices are eligible for the latest features and security enhancements. Here’s a detailed breakdown of which iPhones will – and won’t – receive the iOS 16 update, starting around September 15th. Apple typically rolls out updates in phases, so availability may vary slightly based on your region and carrier.
Confirmed Compatible Devices:
iPhone 14 Series: (iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max) – Full iOS 16 feature set.
iPhone 13 series: (iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max) – Full iOS 16 feature set.
iPhone 12 Series: (iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max) – Full iOS 16 feature set.
iPhone 11 Series: (iPhone 11,iPhone 11 Pro,iPhone 11 Pro Max) – Full iOS 16 feature set.
iPhone XS & XS Max: – Full iOS 16 feature set.
iPhone XR: – Full iOS 16 feature set.
iPhone SE (3rd generation): – Full iOS 16 feature set.
Devices Not Receiving the iOS 16 Update:
iPhone 8 & 8 Plus: These models will not be supported.
iPhone X: Sadly, the iPhone X is also no longer eligible for iOS 16.
iPhone SE (1st & 2nd generation): older SE models are not compatible.
Any iPhone older than the iPhone 8: These devices are too outdated to support the new operating system.
Understanding the Phased Rollout of iOS Updates
Apple doesn’t release iOS updates to everyone simultaneously. This phased approach allows them to monitor for bugs and issues, preventing widespread problems. Here’s how the rollout typically works:
- Initial Release: The update is first available to developers (through the Apple Developer Program) for testing.
- Public Beta: A public beta program allows tech-savvy users to test the update and provide feedback.
- Staggered Public Release: Apple then releases the update to a small percentage of the general public. This percentage gradually increases over several days.
- Full Release: Eventually, the update becomes available to all compatible devices.
Expect the initial public release around September 15th, 2025, but don’t be surprised if you don’t see it promptly on your device. Checking for updates manually (Settings > General > Software Update) can sometimes expedite the process.
Key iOS 16 Features & Benefits
iOS 16 brought significant improvements. Here are some highlights:
Customizable Lock Screen: Personalize your iPhone with widgets, fonts, and photo styles.
Focus Filters: link Focus modes to apps, filtering out distractions.
iMessage Enhancements: Edit or unsend recently sent messages.
Visual Look Up: Lift subjects from images and share them across apps.
Safety check: A new privacy tool for users in abusive relationships.
* Improved Mail App: Schedule emails and undo send.
These features contribute to a more personalized, efficient, and secure iPhone experience. Staying up-to-date with iOS ensures you have the latest security patches, protecting your device from vulnerabilities.
Troubleshooting Update Issues: What to Do If You Don’t See iOS 16
If you’re using a compatible iPhone and haven’t received the iOS 16 update by September 20th, 2025, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Check Your Storage: Ensure you have enough free storage space (at least 5GB is recommended).
- Check Your Internet connection: A stable Wi-Fi connection is crucial.
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