Apple has officially launched iOS 26, and while many users are eager to experience its new features, those with devices older than the iPhone 11 will find themselves excluded. Among the exciting updates are the stunning “Liquid Glass” redesign and the much-requested ability to block spam calls.
To harness the full potential of iOS 26, an iPhone must be equipped with at least the A13 Bionic chip. Unfortunately, this means that some beloved models will no longer receive this update, although they will still get security fixes for iOS 16 and iOS 18. Curious if your iPhone is compatible with iOS 26? Read on.
Every iPhone That Supports iOS 26
The devices that are notably missing from this year’s compatibility list include the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. Users of these models must consider upgrading to access iOS 26.
Heads-up: Apple Intelligence Isn’t on All iPhone Models
While iOS 26 is available for various models, not all of them will support the advanced features that rely on Apple Intelligence. Innovations like Genmoji, Image Playground, and the new Visual Intelligence search will only work on the:
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 models
- iPhone 17 models
If your device is older, you can still enjoy the design updates and general enhancements, but you’ll miss out on the latest in Apple Intelligence features.
Watch this: 26 More Things Hidden in iOS 26
05:27
Not Sure Which iPhone Model You Own?
To determine your iPhone model, simply navigate to Settings > General > About and check the Model Name. If your iPhone is not on the compatibility list, don’t worry; it will continue to receive iOS 18 security patches for a while. However, you won’t gain access to any of the exciting new features found in iOS 26.