Year-based numbering (skipping iOS 19), Liquid Glass design, Visual Intelligence, Live Translation, Call Screening, Hold Assist, and a games app. Dropped iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
| Version | iOS 26 |
|---|---|
| Build (as listed here) | iOS 26.0 |
| Release date | September 15, 2025 |
| Status in this edition | Previous major release |
| Minimum device (this row) | iPhone 11 / iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later |
| Who it is for | Historical major train. Current phones should be on iOS 27 unless you have a documented reason to wait. |
What changed in this train
- Liquid Glass across Lock Screen, Home Screen, apps, and controls.
- Visual Intelligence from a screenshot-like gesture; Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, Phone, and AirPods.
- Call Screening and Hold Assist; Messages screening and backgrounds; CarPlay Liquid Glass.
- Compatibility floor moved to A13 / iPhone 11. iPhone XS, XR, and earlier do not install iOS 26 or iOS 27.
Security content
See Apple security updates.
Install path
Settings → General → Software Update. Apple’s iOS 26 download article still documents Automatic Updates, Download and Install, and Update Tonight — the same operator path used on iOS 27. Back up first.
Next useful pages
Sources
Prepared by the iPhone Update Editorial Desk. Independent technical reference. Not affiliated with Apple Inc.