Which iPhones Will Run iOS 26? See If Yours Made the Cut

Which iPhones Will Support iOS 26? See the Full List

Apple officially announced iOS 26 at WWDC 2025, showcasing major updates like AI-powered Siri, a redesigned interface, and enhanced multitasking. But with new features comes a catch — not every iPhone will get the update.

So, which iPhones are safe, and which ones are getting left behind?

iPhones Compatible with iOS 26

According to Apple’s official release, iOS 26 will be available for the following models:

• iPhone 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 16 / 16 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 / 15 Plus
• iPhone 14 Series
• iPhone 13 Series
• iPhone 12 Series
• iPhone 11 Series
• iPhone SE (2nd gen and 3rd gen)

This means if you own an iPhone 11 or newer, you’re good to go. But older models like the iPhone X, XR, XS, and iPhone 8 have reached the end of the road.

iPhones Losing Support

The following devices will not receive iOS 26:

• iPhone X
• iPhone XR / XS / XS Max
• iPhone 8 / 8 Plus
• iPhone SE (1st gen)
• All older models

These iPhones will stay on iOS 25 or earlier, meaning no access to future features, security updates, or new apps that require iOS 26.

Why the Cutoff?

Apple typically discontinues support for older models after 5–6 years. The AI-driven features in iOS 26, such as enhanced Siri and on-device processing, require more powerful chips like the A14 Bionic and newer. Devices with older hardware simply can’t handle the demands of iOS 26’s capabilities — especially features like real-time translation and app multitasking with Stage Manager.

What iOS 26 Brings (In Case You Upgrade)

If your iPhone qualifies, here’s what you can look forward to:

• A fresh, cleaner design with translucent elements
• Siri powered by AI (finally useful!)
• Real-time voice translation with AirPods
• Smarter battery usage based on your habits
• Stage Manager multitasking for USB-C models
• All of these are designed to push iPhones closer to the experience found in visionOS and the Apple Vision Pro ecosystem.

iOS 26 marks a new chapter for iPhones, bringing Apple’s smartest update yet. But with every big leap comes a break from the past — and older devices are now officially out of the loop.

If your iPhone made the cut, great — keep an eye out for the public beta this July and the full release in September 2025. If not, this might be the sign you’ve been waiting for to upgrade and enjoy the next generation of iOS.