Feed: Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
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Title: Ready for Apple's iOS 26? Here are all the compatible iPhones that can
run the beta today

Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2025 23:12:16 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/mobile/ready-for-app...

Your iPhone and iPad's operating systems are getting big upgrades this fall
with the release of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. My favorite coming to both is the
visual update, called Liquid Glass ΓÇö it's like the better-executed version
of Windows Vista. We spent two weeks test-driving it ΓÇö you can check out
our detailed hands-on iOS 26 preview, or you can try it out yourself by
downloading and installing the public beta. That software is a more stable
iteration of the separate developer version, which recently hit the beta 6
waypoint, and offers a few more flashy features not yet available in the
public version. (While the public beta is open to everyone and quite stable,
always remember there's a degree of risk involved with beta software.) Not
ready to upgrade your smartphone or tablet this year? No worries, we'll help
you find out if your phone will be able to run iOS 26.

While Apple didn't nix any iPhones from its eligibility list last year,
that's not the case for 2025 ΓÇö a few models are getting cut this time. All
iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to get the boot in 2023, and
this year the 2018 models are getting left behind. If you have an ineligible
device, you won't be able to download iOS 26 when it becomes available this
fall.

We'll get to the bottom of which iPhones and iPads will support iOS 26 and
iPadOS 26 this year. To see what's coming with the latest OSes, check out
everything announced at Apple's WWDC June 9 event. One thing you shouldn't
immediately expect is Apple's updated version of Siri, though the company is
reportedly working on a 'stripped-down' AI chatbot to compete with ChatGPT.

These three iPhones won't be compatible with iOS 26

Unlike last year, several iPhone models won't be eligible to download the
newest iOS when it makes its debut this fall. This trio of models first
released in 2018 won't be coming to the iOS 26 party:

iPhone XR

iPhone XS

iPhone XS Max

iPhones compatible with iOS 26

While we don't yet know the new iPhones Apple will be dropping this fall ΓÇö
though there are iPhone 17 rumors ΓÇö we do know, per Apple's site, that the
phones listed below will be compatible with iOS 26. Basically, if you have an
iPhone that was announced in 2019 or later, you're in the clear:

iPhone SE (second generation or later)

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 16e

iPhone 16

iPhone 16 Plus

iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPads compatible with iPadOS 26

The iPads listed below, and any iPads released later this year, are eligible
to download iPadOS 26.

iPad Pro (M4)

iPad Pro 12.9ΓÇæinch (3rd generation and later)

iPad Pro 11ΓÇæinch (1st generation and later)

iPad Air (M3, M2)

iPad Air (3rd generation and later)

iPad (A16)

iPad (8th generation and later)

iPad mini (A17 Pro)

iPad mini (5th generation and later)

What if I don't want to buy a new iPhone?

If you want to continue using your older iPhone that isn't supported by iOS
26, that's fine. However, you'll miss out on security updates which could
potentially put your phone at risk for malware and other threats.
Additionally, some apps may stop working if they require a certain version of
iOS or later. And of course, you won't be able to access the latest features
iOS 26 offers.

When will iOS 26 become available?

Apple usually rolls out its latest iOS in mid-September, just a few days
before the new iPhones hit store shelves. Last year, it released iOS 18 on
Monday, Sept. 16. Expect a confirmation of the release date at the iPhone 17
event, expected in early September.

iOS 26 features we're excited about

Liquid Glass design: Your home screen is getting revamped with new app icons,
including dark mode and all-clear options. You'll also notice buttons with a
new floating design. Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes
more cohesive.

Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent
calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new
feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the
phone so you can avoid the elevator music.

Live Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via
phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live
Translate will translate your conversation in real time.

Polls feature: Coming to group messages in the Messages app, chat members
will be able to create polls. This can help prevent the unwanted 30+ messages
when it comes to deciding which restaurant you're meeting at this weekend.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/mobile/ready-for-app...
compatible-iphones-that-can-run-the-beta-today-191854135.html?src=rss

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