Apple noticed low adoption / is strong arming iOS 26+

[FeliApple]

You still haven't answered my question.
Has Apple decided to not release iOS 12.5.8 for the 6S and 7 to strong arm iOS 15?
What about iOS 15.8.6 for the iPhone 8 and X? 16.7.14 for the XS?

You see, by demanding iOS 18.7.4 for your 26 capable device, you're indirectly demanding those older versions for any of the aforementioned devices. Because then, anyone else like you could come here, and say the same about their device. This'd effectively create a path for official downgrading, and Apple might as well scrap their whole signing system at that point (not that I personally agree with said system, but I'm not gonna delve into that).
There are people using devices that can't run 26, but which aren't even running their latest supported versions (I already talked about my friend who has an XS Max still running iOS 14 as his main phone).

Yes! Finally! The point is finally clear.

Apple should scrap the entire signing system (only check whether it’s an official Apple iOS software), and allow every single iOS version to be installed.

Apple forcing malware isn’t okay. Apple should allow every iOS version for every device.

It cannot be right to destroy performance and battery life repeatedly (like @thadoggfather said) whilst disallowing downgrades.

And it isn’t right that they’re releasing the updated certs only for the final released version.

Support everything as long as it’s Apple-original software. Let users deal with the issues.

 

[I7guy]

Yes! Finally! The point is finally clear.

Apple should scrap the entire signing system (only check whether it’s an official Apple iOS software), and allow every single iOS version to be installed.

Apple forcing malware isn’t okay. Apple should allow every iOS version for every device.

It cannot be right to destroy performance and battery life repeatedly (like @thadoggfather said) whilst disallowing downgrades.

And it isn’t right that they’re releasing the updated certs only for the final released version.

Support everything as long as it’s Apple-original software. Let users deal with the issues.

You know, I know and everybody knows after years of the same feedback Apple hasn’t recanted on their position.

And as I have said in later iPhones there is no destroy battery life or performance.

 

[Artemiz]

Apple forcing malware isn’t okay.

Do you even understand what a malware actually is?

Support everything as long as it’s Apple-original software. Let users deal with the issues.

Support takes resources even for a company as big as Apple. You can’t reasonably expect any company to allocate resources in perpetuity just because a very tiny fraction wants to stay behind for whatever reason.

Also, an insecure device often impacts more than just that one device. So while I see the rationale behind not signing much older versions, they should at least keep the prior iOS version signed while the latest is being refined.

 

[FeliApple]

You know, I know and everybody knows after years of the same feedback Apple hasn’t recanted on their position.

And as I have said in later iPhones there is no destroy battery life or performance.

How many times will you try to argue this with me?

It’s false, iOS updates eventually obliterate performance and battery life, and they’re irreversible malware that has no solution. Sometimes it takes fewer versions, but it always happens.

I’ve been forced out of original versions a couple of times as you know.

As you also know, I always try to run original iOS versions. I know how to optimise an iOS device for maximum battery life. I am part of the 0.0000001% of users that can get 16 hours of SOT on an iPhone Xʀ or 27 hours on an iPhone 16 Plus.

The few times in which Apple forced me out of those original versions, I’ve never managed to get good battery life, even with more optimisation. I’ve disabled absolutely everything, I’ve tried using the device on Airplane Mode or only with great signal, I’ve tried 0% brightness, I’ve tried everything.

Battery life is always significantly worse.

I got 14.5 hours on my 9.7-inch iPad Pro on iOS 9 with 15-20% brightness. When Apple forced me to install iOS 12, I haven’t been able to beat 12 hours. In fact, I managed to get more than 11 hours once in six years (11 hours and 41 minutes, 0% brightness, efficient apps like Netflix). 99.99% of cycles barely scrape past the 10-hour mark, for an irreversible SOT loss of 28-33%.

My 6s on iOS 13 (which Apple also forced from iOS 9) fares even worse, with SOT losses of 50-60%.

I want to see how 12 Mini users fare with iOS 26, it’s probably garbage.

I don’t care how, Apple should solve the certs issue without forcing an update. Sign everything, but they should.

 

[I7guy]

How many times will you try to argue this with me?

It’s false, iOS updates eventually obliterate performance and battery life, and they’re irreversible malware that has no solution. Sometimes it takes fewer versions, but it always happens.

You’re imo spreading false information and lime you are entitled to your opinion, so am I.

I’ve been forced out of original versions a couple of times as you know.

As you also know, I always try to run original iOS versions. I know how to optimise an iOS device for maximum battery life. I am part of the 0.0000001% of users that can get 16 hours of SOT on an iPhone Xʀ or 27 hours on an iPhone 16 Plus.

Yes unless the phone actually has to do some work. Turn up the brightness have a lousy cell signal etc. do you get 16 hours watch g YouTube videos?

The few times in which Apple forced me out of those original versions, I’ve never managed to get good battery life, even with more optimisation. I’ve disabled absolutely everything, I’ve tried using the device on Airplane Mode or only with great signal, I’ve tried 0% brightness, I’ve tried everything.

Battery life is always significantly worse.

I got 14.5 hours on my 9.7-inch iPad Pro on iOS 9 with 15-20% brightness. When Apple forced me to install iOS 12, I haven’t been able to beat 12 hours. In fact, I managed to get more than 11 hours once in six years (11 hours and 41 minutes, 0% brightness, efficient apps like Netflix). 99.99% of cycles barely scrape past the 10-hour mark, for an irreversible SOT loss of 28-33%.

My 6s on iOS 13 (which Apple also forced from iOS 9) fares even worse, with SOT losses of 50-60%.

I want to see how 12 Mini users fare with iOS 26, it’s probably garbage.

I don’t care how, Apple should solve the certs issue without forcing an update. Sign everything, but they should.

As I said with later iPhones this caveat no longer applies. Some will challenge this but that is my anecdotal observation.

 

[FeliApple]

Do you even understand what a malware actually is?

Yes. There’s malware that pointlessly consumes system resources. iOS updates are that kind of malware.

Support takes resources even for a company as big as Apple. You can’t reasonably expect any company to allocate resources in perpetuity just because a very tiny fraction wants to stay behind for whatever reason.

Also, an insecure device often impacts more than just that one device. So while I see the rationale behind not signing much older versions, they should at least keep the prior iOS version signed while the latest is being refined.

Then don’t allocate resources. Sign every major iOS version for every device. Say that you don’t support them.

Come on. If Apple cared THAT much about the absolute minority that stays behind, they’d force us out every time. They don’t. I’m running original iOS versions on 90% of my devices.

How many people would downgrade? Not many. How do I know this? Because people don’t stay behind already!

Come on, after years of iOS, people really don’t know that you can just not update and it’ll be fine?

If the downgraders were 80% of the userbase, we’d see far more people staying behind.

I’d love to be able to go back primarily to guarantee quality, but also maybe I could buy some older devices to use for music. I could downgrade my garbage 6s on iOS 13 to iOS 9 or 10, it’d be great.

But apart from that I’m fine. I run original (or good) iOS versions on 6 of my 8 main devices.

It’s just sad to see so many people using awful iOS devices just because they update every time. I also don’t understand the rationale behind complaining about a device and then buying a new one and updating all over again, but that’s just me.

 

[FeliApple]

As I said with later iPhones this caveat no longer applies. Some will challenge this but that is my anecdotal observation.

This is false information.

 

[I7guy]

This is false information.

Well, it’s true objectively.

 

[Artemiz]

Yes. There’s malware that pointlessly consumes system resources. iOS updates are that kind of malware.

Pointlessly? Newer chips are more powerful and can finish the same task using less resources compared to older processors. This translates to better battery. It’s basic physics not some crazy conspiracy.

 

[FeliApple]

Pointlessly? Newer chips are more powerful and can finish the same task using less resources compared to older processors. This translates to better battery. It’s basic physics not some crazy conspiracy.

Then older devices should be allowed to go back to the efficient software that they should run.

If Apple can’t optimise enough to give them the great performance and battery life that they should have, then they shouldn’t run these newer versions.

 

[Artemiz]

Then older devices should be allowed to go back to the efficient software that they should run.

If Apple can’t optimise enough to give them the great performance and battery life that they should have, then they shouldn’t run these newer versions.

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Give people new features: Apple forced me at gunpoint to update and ruin my battery to get me to upgrade.

Withhold some features to reduce the impact: Apple forcing me to upgrade to a new device by saving the features only for newer devices. I don’t care about the battery. My phone’s powerful enough to handle it so give me it.

Majority of people want to try new features and are not ready to upgrade to the latest and greatest all the time. Those who don’t want to upgrade can hold off like you do with that Xr you always keep talking about. A company doesn’t plan their business around the whims of a tiny fraction of users and giving the customers choice isn’t the same as forcing them.

 

[FeliApple]

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Give people new features: Apple forced me at gunpoint to update and ruin my battery to get me to upgrade.

Withhold some features to reduce the impact: Apple forcing me to upgrade to a new device by saving the features only for newer devices. I don’t care about the battery. My phone’s powerful enough to handle it so give me it.

Majority of people want to try new features and are not ready to upgrade to the latest and greatest all the time. Those who don’t want to upgrade can hold off like you do with that Xr you always keep talking about. A company doesn’t plan their business around the whims of a tiny fraction of users and giving the customers choice isn’t the same as forcing them.

I’ve repeatedly stated that users are solely to blame for updating all the time. You can’t complain every single year of the impact of iOS updates yet update regardless. It’s your fault as a user.

I’ve also never understood why people care so much about features that don’t change the experience that much. You can just wait until you upgrade, you have like five years of stability.

Which is why this specific issue is far worse: like the OP said, they’d be removing compatibility from iOS 18.7.3 (!!!), which is absolutely ludicrous.

 

[I7guy]

Then older devices should be allowed to go back to the efficient software that they should run.

If Apple can’t optimise enough to give them the great performance and battery life that they should have, then they shouldn’t run these newer versions.

For certain iPads and iPhones this is true. But for later iPads and iPhones performance and battery are not degraded imo.

Apple here won’t change its cadence on this. People discuss this continually here, for years and Apple hasn’t budged.

 

[FeliApple]

For certain iPads and iPhones this is true. But for later iPads and iPhones performance and battery are not degraded imo.

Apple here won’t change its cadence on this. People discuss this continually here, for years and Apple hasn’t budged.

I have repeatedly stated that I have no empathy for those who keep updating.

If this thread ends up hopefully not being confirmed, and everything works as it should come January, my opinion will not change.

Those who updated from iOS 18 to iOS 26 deserve it if iOS 26 significantly worsens their devices. The beta discussions were everywhere. Whether you agree or not, updates reduce worsen device quality (this is not up for discussion), so if users know this and update anyway, they have no right to complain.

You want to use garbage? Do so, you only have yourself to blame.

 

[HouseLannister]

We all know that the real malware is the friends we made along the way 🙂

 

[eltoslightfoot]

We all know that the real malware is the friends we made along the way 🙂

Perfect.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Malware is malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computers, networks, or data. Examples include viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.

Anyone who seriously thinks that iOS updates are “malware” isn’t someone I would be listening to. If anything, it’s the opposite, newer versions of iOS and macOS are more secure than older versions and are less susceptible to “malware”.
The new iOS having animations you don’t like does not mean that it is malware.

Also…

This was an iPhone XS on iOS 12 vs iOS 17 and the results are… that the newer software is slower, but by a minuscule amount that you wouldn’t notice without putting the two phones side-by-side.
The days of a new version of iOS, truly bringing a device down to its knees, like this…

Have really been over since the 32 bit era, this isn’t really a thing anymore.
This coming from a person who has an actively used 2015 Apple TV on OS 26 working flawlessly, an iPad Pro from 2020 on 26 working flawlessly, and plenty of iPhone 15 eras that were updated from still perfectly working XRs and 11s.
Absolutely no one was complaining about the performance of these devices that originally came with iOS 12 and 13 when they were/are on 17, 18 and 26. It’s just not really a concern anymore, from what I can tell, both from experience, and from looking around the net, it has been years since an apple device on its final version of software was a truly horrible experience. You just don’t really get that anymore.
Also…

I’ve repeatedly stated that users are solely to blame for updating all the time.

This is just straight up false, most of the time your regular consumer doesn’t even know an update is happening, or our advised to do so if they have to get their phone repaired/replaced via Apple or their carrier.
Even for something as simple as a screen repair, if you take your phone to Apple or a carrier to replace the screen, the first thing they ask you to do is… Update the software to the latest version so it works properly with Apple configurator. The consumer doesn’t have much of a choice there.
If you contact Apple support with absolutely any issues you’re having, literally their first troubleshooting step is… be on the latest version of software so it works properly with Apple Configurator.
If something goes wrong, or your phone bricks itself, or has any type of software or hardware failure, and you take it to get replaced, the first thing that’s going to happen is… The software is going to get updated, rather you like it or not. That is not on the consumer.
Don’t believe me? Cracked the screen on that 16+ running 18.3 or whatever and take it to Apple to to get replaced, you’ll leave with it running 26. Or do the replacement yourself, and either you will have parts of the phone that refused to work until you verify the new component which requires an update to 26, or you will just be dealing with a severely compromised experience.

 

[FeliApple]

Malware is malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computers, networks, or data. Examples include viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.

Anyone who seriously thinks that iOS updates are “malware” isn’t someone I would be listening to. If anything, it’s the opposite, newer versions of iOS and macOS are more secure than older versions and are less susceptible to “malware”.
The new iOS having animations you don’t like does not mean that it is malware.

Also…

This was an iPhone XS on iOS 12 vs iOS 17 and the results are… that the newer software is slower, but by a minuscule amount that you wouldn’t notice without putting the two phones side-by-side.
The days of a new version of iOS, truly bringing a device down to its knees, like this…

Have really been over since the 32 bit era, this isn’t really a thing anymore.
This coming from a person who has an actively used 2015 Apple TV on OS 26 working flawlessly, an iPad Pro from 2020 on 26 working flawlessly, and plenty of iPhone 15 eras that were updated from still perfectly working XRs and 11s.
Absolutely no one was complaining about the performance of these devices that originally came with iOS 12 and 13 when they were/are on 17, 18 and 26. It’s just not really a concern anymore, from what I can tell, both from experience, and from looking around the net, it has been years since an apple device on its final version of software was a truly horrible experience. You just don’t really get that anymore.

I’ve discussed this. I agree completely. It isn’t as bad in terms of performance. Battery life is significantly worsened.

This is my experience and what I’ve read:

32-bit devices: great battery life when updated, unusable performance

Early 64-bit devices (A7-A10/11): unusable battery life, mediocre to poor performance

“Middle-life” 64-bit (A12-A15 maybe? Too new): Good performance, poor battery life. Too new regardless, this isn’t the end of A15 updates. The A12 performs with mediocrity and battery life is significantly worsened, though not as much as early 64-bit.

This has been improving (until iOS 26). My issue with iOS 26 is that it reversed course. It was getting progressively better. Now iPhone 16 models are seeing 10-20% battery life drops as if this were iOS 11. It’s pathetic.

Also…


This is just straight up false, most of the time your regular consumer doesn’t even know an update is happening, or our advised to do so if they have to get their phone repaired/replaced via Apple or their carrier.
Even for something as simple as a screen repair, if you take your phone to Apple or a carrier to replace the screen, the first thing they ask you to do is… Update the software to the latest version so it works properly with Apple configurator. The consumer doesn’t have much of a choice there.
If you contact Apple support with absolutely any issues you’re having, literally their first troubleshooting step is… be on the latest version of software so it works properly with Apple Configurator.
If something goes wrong, or your phone bricks itself, or has any type of software or hardware failure, and you take it to get replaced, the first thing that’s going to happen is… The software is going to get updated, rather you like it or not. That is not on the consumer.
Don’t believe me? Cracked the screen on that 16+ running 18.3 or whatever and take it to Apple to to get replaced, you’ll leave with it running 26. Or do the replacement yourself, and either you will have parts of the phone that refused to work until you verify the new component which requires an update to 26, or you will just be dealing with a severely compromised experience.

All of that… sure. But do you honestly think that the majority of “updaters” are prompted (or forced!) to update by Apple Support? Tell me honestly.

Do you really believe that a majority of users are forced by repair procedures? The vast majority either has automatic updates on and complains later, or they are indecisive and end up updating anyway, just because. Then they complain.

You can fall for this once. You can say “oh, I had auto updates on” or “oh, I didn’t know” once. Twice maybe.

Long-term iOS users are still complaining about what updates do to devices. “Sure, battery life plummeted, why does Apple still push software that isn’t perfectly optimised?”.

People still expect them to never worsen devices. It’s ridiculous.

Most issues I’ve had with Apple support go like this:

“I have this problem. My device is an iPhone Xʀ running iOS 12”

“Okay, first of all we are going to try updating”

“Can you suggest something else please? I’d rather not update”

“Oh! Okay, it’s a good troubleshooting attempt, but sure, we can try something else”.

Most of the times they’ve either helped or I’ve figured out the solution myself.

If the device is actually bricked, then yeah, sure, nothing you can do. I’ve long criticised Apple for that, even in this very thread.

The overwhelming majority of the time however, people just update.

This very thread is proof that Apple does not care about users that prefer to have quality devices. If the certificate thing goes badly, we are doomed, myself included.

But unless a freak issue like this one happens, the overwhelming majority of the responsibility falls on users who either have auto updates on, or update willingly.

If you are a long-term iOS user and keep falling for this, then like I said, you deserve to use garbage.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

If you are a long-term iOS user and keep falling for this, then like I said, you deserve to use garbage.

And you are never going to get anyone on your side with ragebait like this. Even if you don’t intend it that way, you must know this is how it’s coming off.

If the certificate thing goes badly, we are doomed, myself included.

An absolutely fascinating definition of “doomed” you must have.
Really? Your phone updating from 2025 software to 2027 software is causing you to feel “doomed”? I wish my life were that simple.

 

[FeliApple]

And you are never going to get anyone on your side with ragebait like this. Even if you don’t intend it that way, you must know this is how it’s coming off.

I get it, but how can I interpret the same situation? Like you said, it is one thing entirely when it is forced.

This certificate issue would be forced… for everyone. Nothing anyone can do.

But the issue, as I have stated, is compounded. I’ve been very critical of devs who repeatedly and pointlessly remove support for no reason at all. I’ve seen conversations where devs discuss how soon they can start requiring iOS 26 minimum. I’ll be extremely harsh with the criticism when I see that.

But why are they able to do this? Well, because adoption has always been massively high.

And like I said, I don’t think most updates are forced… do you? Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe the prevalence is higher. Maybe people have more issues than I think and they ask support and support tells them to update. Maybe more people go to Apple Stores for repairs than I think.

But I think we both know this isn’t the case.

Devs requiring iOS 26 within a month of release and eventually forcing even the most reluctant (me, if you like) to update or upgrade, even Apple’s own policy, and all of the people who remove support so quickly for no reason at all would stop immediately if adoption plummeted.

This certificate issue, if it comes to realisation, obviously doesn’t help.

But like I said, I’m harsh because users are partly to blame. If adoption is always so high, how do we expect devs, Apple, and those in charge of determining compatibility to maintain long-term support for many iOS versions? Those in charge of iOS development have said it many times: I’m not going to support iOS 15 today if 0.3% of my userbase runs it.

How do we expect Apple to care more about older devices? iOS 26 is proof. “Just impact older devices in a way you haven’t done for years with this redesign. We know people will install anything and everything we put out anyway”.

Of course, the alternative is this thread: just botch the certificates and force it anyway, which is planned obsolescence and it’s what we’ve been criticizing.

But even if this weren’t the case, Apple doesn’t even need this. They can severely impact devices and people will update regardless, which removes the incentive for devs to support older versions, and which removes the incentive for Apple to care at all. And it removes the incentive of Apple ever caring about this certificate, too!

Many people have called this planned obsolescence to incentivise upgrades. I say maybe, but is it? Like I said, people update anyway!

In early 2023, when iOS 16 was current, only 8% of iPhones ran iOS 14 and below. 72% ran iOS 16 within three months of release. Of ALL active iPhones. 8%. iPads had a similar figure, 10%. It drops to 4-5% for iPhones released in the previous four years (I’m assuming that includes the Sept 2018 release of the iPhone XS/Xʀ maybe? I don’t know).

By May 2022, 99% of iPhones launched in the previous 4 years ran iOS 15 or 14. Leaving only a small fraction of Xs/Xʀ/11 on iOS 12 or 13.

For compatibility reasons, you definitely didn’t need to update an iPhone 11 from iOS 13 to iOS 15.

So after seeing these numbers, honestly, tell me, because I can’t see it and I’m trying: how do you want me to respond to a complaint that says:

“I’m a long-term iOS user. I updated to iOS 26 on whichever iPhone. I saw that the beta was rough, but I thought maybe with the official release it would get better. Battery life is now 40% worse and I can’t downgrade. Liquid Glass is horrible and consumes too many system resources. iOS 15 had destroyed my iPhone 6s, iOS 17 was rough on the Xʀ, and it’s now happening again”.

You knew… and you updated anyway? How should I respond?

Apple and devs get away with these issues because adoption is too high. There’s no incentive.

An absolutely fascinating definition of “doomed” you must have.
Really? Your phone updating from 2025 software to 2027 software is causing you to feel “doomed”? I wish my life were that simple.

It’s a figure of speech within this context. Of course, ultimately nothing of this matters at all.

 

[Thor_9]

As you also know, I always try to run original iOS versions. I know how to optimise an iOS device for maximum battery life. I am part of the 0.0000001% of users that can get 16 hours of SOT on an iPhone Xʀ or 27 hours on an iPhone 16 Plus.

What exactly are you running to get this screen time numbers?

The few times in which Apple forced me out of those original versions, I’ve never managed to get good battery life, even with more optimisation. I’ve disabled absolutely everything, I’ve tried using the device on Airplane Mode or only with great signal, I’ve tried 0% brightness, I’ve tried everything.

If you turn off everything, why have a phone? Get a basic flip phone.

 

[FeliApple]

What exactly are you running to get this screen time numbers?

Low brightness, heavy settings disabled, light apps. I obviously don’t get that battery life all the time. But I can get it.

If you turn off everything, why have a phone? Get a basic flip phone.

This is the most pointless argument ever. An iPhone doesn’t become a flip phone just because I have push mail and background app refresh disabled.

 

[mrochester]

Why doesn’t the OP just install iOS 26? Then there is no issue with Apple services potentially stopping working. Seems like the simplest and most obvious solution to me 🤷‍♂️

 

[robvalentine]

Yes. There’s malware that pointlessly consumes system resources. iOS updates are that kind of malware.

iOS is not malware.

I repeat iOS is not malware.

You may deem it a buggy mess, but that does not make iOS malware. Your persistence in claiming it is is undermining your points.

Click here For the wikipedia page on malware. Can you please confirm what type of malware it is? Virus, worm or trojan horse?

Also I have said it before, and I will say it again, iOS26 is not the apocalypse some people say it is.

 

[thadoggfather]

Apple Reveals How Many iPhones Are Running iOS 26

Apple has shared updated iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 adoption figures, revealing how many iPhones and iPads are running those software versions. These adoption numbers are based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on February 12, 2026, according to Apple. The statistics are as...

forums.macrumors.com

it's telling that

a- Apple gave themselves a lead time of an additional 3 weeks before reporting figures compared to last year.
A lot of people burned from upgrading early on in a new major OS update wait until .2 or .3 before leaping.
b- has more aggressively bombarded users to upgrade this go round, forcing lots of 'oops updates'
c- iPhone 17 series has sold tremendously well, and only runs iOS 26
d- they qualified these metrics as based on people that 'transacted on App Store' that skews results. Edit: seems have in prior years too but is that on a single day they chose or aggregated?

...In other words, iOS 26 adoption is down considerably tit-for-tat, and Apple noticed.