Apple’s upcoming significant iPhone software upgrade is iOS 26, but not all iPhones will be able to run the new software. Below are the iPhone models that will (and will not) be compatible with iOS 26 when it debuts this fall.
### Three iPhone Models Excluded from iOS 26 Support
Each year, when Apple announces fresh software updates, there’s always a possibility that older hardware models might not receive support. Recently, iOS 18 was compatible with all the same iPhones that could operate iOS 17. However, this year, there are changes regarding model compatibility with iOS 26.
iOS 26 will **not** support the following models:
– iPhone XS
– iPhone XS Max
– iPhone XR
These three models received support from iOS 18, but Apple has excluded them for iOS 26 this year.
### All iPhones Supporting iOS 26
Here’s the complete list of iPhones that **will** be compatible with 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 generation and later)
It’s important to note that even if a model is technically capable of running iOS 26, it may not receive all features. Last year with iOS 18, we noticed that all Apple Intelligence capabilities were exclusively available to newer iPhones. Likewise, for iOS 26, AI features will solely be accessible on iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 versions. There might also be additional restrictions for features not related to AI.
iOS 26 is presently available in beta form only and will be released to all users this fall.
Are you taken aback by the iPhone models compatible with iOS 26? In what aspect? Share your thoughts in the comments.
