iOS 26 – Release Date Confirmed, Full List of Supported iPhones, iPads, Macs and Key New Features

Highlights

• iOS 26 launches on September 15 and supports iPhones from SE (2nd gen) to iPhone 17 series.
• iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 (Tahoe) will roll out to newer iPads, Macs with Apple silicon, and select Intel models. tvOS 26 release is still pending.
• iOS update includes Liquid Glass UI, redesigned Phone and Camera apps, Live Translate, smarter screenshots, custom lock screens, and group polls in Messages.

Apple’s iPhone 17 launch event has officially wrapped up, bringing with it the highly anticipated iPhone 17 lineup, the new iPhone Air, and several other product announcements. Alongside the hardware, Apple confirmed that the final builds of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 will roll out on Monday, September 15. The iPhone 17 series will ship with iOS 26 pre-installed, while a wide range of older iPhones and iPads will also be eligible for the update.

iOS 26 Release and Eligible Devices

Apple has revealed that iOS 26 can be downloaded on iPhone 11 through iPhone 16 series, as well as the iPhone SE (second generation or later). All three iPhone 17 models, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, along with the iPhone Air, will also run iOS 26 out of the box.

However, unlike last year, some older iPhones won’t make the cut. Apple confirmed that the following three 2018 models will not support iOS 26 –

• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max

That means if you own an iPhone launched in 2019 or later, you’re in the clear for the latest update.

Complete List of iPhones Compatible with iOS 26 –

• iPhone SE (2nd gen or later)
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e
• iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max
• iPads Compatible with iPadOS 26

Apple also confirmed the rollout of iPadOS 26, which will be available on –

• iPad Pro (M4)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later)
• iPad Air (3rd gen and later, including M2 and M3)
• iPad (8th gen and later, including A16)
• iPad mini (5th gen and later, including A17 Pro)

Macs That Will Support macOS 26 (Tahoe)

For Mac users, macOS 26 aka macOS Tahoe will be compatible with –

• MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• iMac (2020 and later)
• Mac mini (2020 and later)
• Mac Studio (2022 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)

tvOS 26 Release Still Pending

Apple has yet to confirm the release date for tvOS 26, which is still listed as “coming this fall.” Rumours suggest a new Apple TV 4K, or even an Apple smart home hub, could launch soon. Once released, tvOS 26 will support second-generation and newer Apple TV 4K models.

iOS 26 Key Features

The new software update introduces some major design and functionality upgrades –

• Liquid Glass Design – A revamped UI with floating buttons, redesigned icons, and more visual consistency across Apple platforms.
• Phone App Redesign – Contacts, recents, and voicemail all on one screen, plus Hold Assist to alert you when an agent picks up.
• Live Translate – Real-time translation for phone calls and text messages across different languages.
• Group Polls in Messages – Users can now create polls directly in group chats.
• Custom Lock Screens – More personalisation with 3D effects, widgets, and updated focus mode settings.
• Alarm Snooze Options – Change snooze times from 1 to 15 minutes instead of the default 9 minutes.
• Camera App Refresh – Easier navigation, with a new alert if your lens is dirty.
• Smarter Screenshots – Search images directly on Google or ask ChatGPT questions about the screenshot from the edit screen.

With these changes, Apple is pushing iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 as some of its most feature-rich updates yet, combining visual refinements with smarter tools for communication and productivity.

FAQs

Q1. When will iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 be officially released?

Answer. Apple confirmed that iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 will roll out on Monday, September 15, 2025. The iPhone 17 series will ship with iOS 26 pre-installed.

Q2. Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 26?

Answer. iOS 26 supports iPhone SE (2nd gen or later), iPhone 11 through iPhone 16 series, and all iPhone 17 models including iPhone Air. iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max are no longer supported.

Q3. What are the standout features of iOS 26?

Answer. Key features include the new Liquid Glass UI, redesigned Phone and Camera apps, Live Translate, smarter screenshots, custom lock screens, and group polls in Messages.

Also Read –

https://www.mymobileindia.com/apple-releases-ios-26-public-beta-alongside-ipados-watchos-tvos-and-more-heres-whats-new-and-what-devices-are-supported/

https://www.mymobileindia.com/ios-26s-adaptive-power-feature-helps-iphone-batteries-last-longer/