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Apple announced big changes to the iPhone's operating system as part of iOS 26 during WWDC 2025 in June -- and it's now widely available for iPhone users. After debuting a highly anticipated iPhone 17 lineup earlier this month, including the thinnest iPhone ever with the 17 Air, Apple also confirmed that the general release of iOS 26 would happen on Monday, Sept. 15.
Most iPhone users will receive a free software update to upgrade to iOS 26, though availability may vary depending on carrier, region, and local regulations. iOS 26 is the successor of iOS 18, the current widely available operating system for iPhones. Instead of launching iOS 19 sequentially to iOS 18, Apple rebranded its OS versions to match the year when users will use them the most.
Also: Every iPhone 17 model compared: Should you buy the base model, Air, Pro, or Max?
In this case, iOS 26 has already launched for general availability, but many feature updates will continue to roll out through 2026. Here's how to install iOS 26 on your compatible iPhone.
How to install iOS 26
What you need: You'll need a compatible iPhone running iOS 16.5 or later. Since not all iPhones support iOS 26, you'll also need a model newer than iPhone 11.
After you agree to download and install iOS 26, you can wait for your iPhone to finish installing the update. Then you're ready to enjoy your Liquid Glass interface, Preview app, and more Apple Intelligence integrations.
When was iOS 26 released?
iOS 26 was made widely available as a free software update on Sept. 15, 2025. The developer beta was released during WWDC in June 2025, while the public beta was released in July.
Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 26?
Apple removed the iPhone XR and XS from its list of supported devices with iOS 26, so any iPhone 11 or newer is compatible with the new operating system, including the iPhone SE.
Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to iOS 26 (and which ones don't support it)
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