IOS 26: iPhones & iPads Losing Support
- Apple's annual operating system updates frequently enough mean older devices are left behind.This year, the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 releases will drop support for a few older...
- Users with newer devices can look forward to the new Liquid Glass look and other features offered in the latest Apple software.
- Apple typically cites a combination of age and technical limitations when discontinuing support for older devices.
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26: Compatibility Details Announced
Updated June 10, 2025
Apple’s annual operating system updates frequently enough mean older devices are left behind.This year, the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 releases will drop support for a few older models. The iOS 26 update will not be compatible with the iPhone XR or XS, while iPadOS 26 will exclude the 7th-generation iPad.
Users with newer devices can look forward to the new Liquid Glass look and other features offered in the latest Apple software. Any device currently running iOS or iPadOS 18 should be able to upgrade.
Apple typically cites a combination of age and technical limitations when discontinuing support for older devices. The 7th-generation iPad, as an example, used an older Apple A10X chip.
The iPhone XR and XS, however, feature the A12 chip, which is also found in several iPads that will still receive the update.
Apple usually provides security patches for older devices for a limited time after they are no longer supported by the latest OS. while Apple does not provide specific timelines for these updates, users can likely continue using their older devices safely for a while before critical security patches are no longer available.
What’s next
Users with iPhone XR, XS, and 7th generation iPads should consider upgrading their devices to continue receiving the latest features and security updates from Apple.