Apple has introduced iOS 26 alongside the iPhone 26 series at its Awe Dropping event, marking a major redesign of its operating system for iPhones and iPads.
This new version promises a smarter, more refined experience and upgrades to many everyday apps. Apple first revealed iOS 26 during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2025.
Here’s everything you need to know about the stable version of iOS 26, its release date, and what’s new.
Key Features of iOS 26
The biggest upgrade in iOS 26 is its new design. It introduces a fresh design style called Liquid Glass, inspired by the translucent interface seen in visionOS.
Apple has redesigned key user interface elements including menus, options, notifications, the Control Center, and several built-in apps like Messages, Phone, and Camera.
The lockscreen gets a new dynamic widget that changes size depending on the wallpaper, along with a redesigned time and date display.
Users can also create spatial scenes, which add a sense of depth as you move the phone.
On the homescreen, you can now make app icons translucent and customize their appearance more freely.
Other notable updates include a redesigned Camera app, live translation powered by Apple Intelligence, AI-generated call summaries, a brand-new Games app, and improvements in visual intelligence features.
iOS 26 Release Date
Apple usually rolls out the final iOS version shortly after new iPhones hit the market. The company has confirmed that iOS 26 will begin rolling out from September 15.
However, it may take a few days or weeks for the update to reach all eligible iPhones, depending on your region and device.
iPhones Eligible for iOS 26 Update
All iPhones equipped with the A13 chip or newer will support iOS 26. Here is the full list of supported devices:
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
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 16e.
