iOS 26 Compatibility: Will Your iPhone Run It? The Full List and What You’ll Miss

iOS 26 Compatibility: Will Your iPhone Run It? The Full List and What You’ll Miss

Seven years is a long run for a phone. This fall, Apple’s oldest 2018 flagships finally age out as the company readies iOS 26—a big update with a fresh translucent look, smarter on‑device tools, and a few quality‑of‑life tweaks people actually use. Not every iPhone will make the cut, and even among those that do, the most advanced features won’t hit every model.

Which iPhones get iOS 26 (and which don’t)

Apple is drawing the line at the A13 Bionic chip. That means the iPhone 11 series and newer can install the update, while 2018’s A12 generation—iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR—drops off. Those three will still get critical security patches on their current software track, but no fresh features from iOS 26.

Supported models:

• 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
• iPhone SE (second generation or later)
• iPhone 17 models (will ship with iOS 26 pre‑installed)

Excluded models:

• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR

There’s a second divide to know. Apple Intelligence—the bundle of on‑device AI features—needs heavier hardware. The most advanced capabilities, including Genmoji, Image Playground, and the new Visual Intelligence search, will run on iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, and the upcoming iPhone 17 line. If you own an iPhone 11 through iPhone 15 (non‑Pro), you’ll still get the new design and everyday upgrades, but the top‑tier Apple Intelligence features won’t appear.

Why the A13 line? It’s about the neural engine and memory bandwidth. Apple’s newer chips are built to crunch machine‑learning tasks locally without crushing battery life. The company is leaning hard into on‑device processing to keep speed up and data off the cloud whenever possible.

What’s actually new—and how to get ready

There are three buckets of changes: the look, the smarts, and the day‑to‑day tools.

First, the look. Apple is rolling out a translucent “Liquid Glass” design that’s more layered and fluid across the system. Expect glassy panels, softer translucency in menus, and UI polish that you’ll notice without having to squint. It’s a system‑wide refresh, not just a wallpaper swap, and it lands on every supported phone.

Second, the smarts. Apple Intelligence is the flagship push. It runs on device for speed and privacy, and it shows up in a few clear ways:

• Real‑time translation built into the system, so you can translate speech or text on the fly without jumping between apps.
• Visual Intelligence search that lets you find things inside your photos or on screen with plain language—think “show me the receipt with the blue logo” instead of hunting through albums.
• Genmoji for creating custom emoji‑style reactions that match the moment when stock emoji fall short.
• Image Playground for quick, on‑device image creation—handy for messages, notes, and social posts without relying on a cloud service.

Remember: those last three, plus the full Visual Intelligence experience, require iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, any iPhone 16, or the iPhone 17 family.

Third, the daily tools. Apple is adding built‑in call screening to help filter unknown numbers before you commit to picking up, and in‑chat polls so groups can make decisions without juggling third‑party apps. These are subtle, high‑impact changes that land across supported devices, even if you don’t have the newest chip.

Wondering where you land? Quick check: go to Settings > General > About and look for Model Name. If you see iPhone 11 or newer (or SE 2nd gen or newer), you’re in. If your phone is iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR, you’ll stay on your current track and keep receiving security updates—Apple says those will continue on the iOS 18 line—but you won’t get iOS 26 features.

How to prepare for the upgrade:

• Back up first. Use iCloud Backup or a computer backup so you can roll back if something glitches.
• Clear space. Major iOS updates are large and need headroom to install. Offload unused apps and media if you’re tight on storage.
• Update your apps. Developers tune performance for the new OS—open the App Store and run your updates.
• Charge up. Aim for at least 50% battery or plug in during the install.
• Know your features. If you don’t have a 15 Pro or newer, expect the new design and core tools, but not the full Apple Intelligence set.

Timing looks familiar. Apple usually releases the final build within days of its September event, after the last developer and public beta updates. The rollout happens in waves globally, so if you don’t see the update right away, check later in the day or the next morning.

If you’re holding an iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR, you have a few realistic paths. Stay put and ride out the security updates for as long as Apple offers them. That keeps you safe but won’t bring any of the new features or design. Or, if the Apple Intelligence tools and call screening matter to you, consider upgrading—trade‑in values tend to be best around new‑iPhone season.

For iPhone 11 through iPhone 14 owners, the decision is more nuanced. You’ll get the visual refresh and the practical upgrades without changing phones, which extends the life of your device. If you want the full Apple Intelligence experience, though, you’ll need at least a 15 Pro or any 16‑series phone. That’s where Apple is drawing the line for the heavier on‑device AI work.

One more thing on performance. New iOS versions often re‑index your data right after install, which can make your phone feel warm or slow for a short while. That’s normal and typically fades within a day. If battery life dips at first, give it a few cycles; background processes settle down.

Security‑wise, updating early is the safer move if your phone supports iOS 26. You get patched against new vulnerabilities, plus the quiet improvements Apple rarely headlines—tighter permissions, smarter data protections, and the kind of under‑the‑hood changes that keep your device viable another year.

If you’re helping someone else—parents, grandparents, a kid with a hand‑me‑down—set them up with Automatic Updates in Settings > General > Software Update and leave the phone plugged in overnight. That’s the easiest way to ensure they’re on the latest build without the support calls.

Bottom line for planning: iPhone 11 and newer get iOS 26. iPhone 15 Pro and newer (plus all 16s and 17s) get the advanced Apple Intelligence features. XS/XS Max/XR will keep getting iOS 18 security patches but don’t move forward. The rest comes down to what you value more—new AI tricks, longer device life, or saving cash a little longer.