Apple’s next major iPhone software update is iOS 26, but not every iPhone will be compatible with the new software. Here are the iPhone models that will (and won’t) be supported by iOS 26 when it launches this fall.
Three iPhone models miss out on iOS 26 support
Every year when Apple unveils new software releases, there’s always a chance that older hardware models won’t be supported.
Most recently, iOS 18 was supported by all the same iPhones that could run iOS 17. But this year, there’s a change to model compatibility with iOS 26.
iOS 26 will not be supported by:
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
These three models are supported by iOS 18, but Apple has dropped them this year in iOS 26.
All iPhones compatible with iOS 26
Here’s the full list of iPhones that will support iOS 26:
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13 and 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12 and 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd gen and newer)
It’s worth noting that even if a model technically can run iOS 26, it won’t necessarily get all of its features.
We saw this last year with iOS 18, where all Apple Intelligence features were exclusive to newer iPhones.
Similarly for iOS 26, AI features will only be available on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max and all iPhone 16 models. There may be additional limitations for non-AI features too.
iOS 26 is expected to launch in a developer beta today, and will arrive publicly for all users this fall.
For all the latest from WWDC, check out our dedicated WWDC 2025 news hub.
Are you surprised by iOS 26’s compatible iPhone models? In what way? Let us know in the comments.
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