Apple noticed low adoption / is strong arming iOS 26+

[I7guy]

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.

So what? A few weeks made such a dramatic difference to bring the numbers up to par with past releases?

A lot of people burned from upgrading early on in a new major OS update wait until .2 or .3 before leaping.

Citation needed for “a lot”.

b- has more aggressively bombarded users to upgrade this go round, forcing lots of 'oops updates'

I haven’t noticed the “aggressively bombarded” and would like a citation on “oops updates” other than one or two MR members.

c- iPhone 17 series has sold tremendously well, and only runs iOS 26

It’s the same, every, single, year with the new hardware and software.

d- they qualified these metrics as based on people that 'transacted on App Store' that skews results. That's a first.

Maybe.

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

Not sure that is the conclusion, but ok. If that matters to people then they will embrace it.

 

[thadoggfather]

So what? A few weeks made such a dramatic difference to bring the numbers up to par with past releases?

Citation needed for “a lot”.

I haven’t noticed the “aggressively bombarded” and would like a citation on “oops updates” other than one or two MR members.

It’s the same, every, single, year with the new hardware and software.

Maybe.

Not sure that is the conclusion, but ok. If that matters to people then they will embrace it.

Yes.

You will be unconvinced regardless of what is presented, so I acknowledge this is futile, but here's my low effort response:

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app...

forums.macrumors.com

(could not be prominent of an update prompt, never mind the frequency that it reminds you you may want to update in the middle of doing something completely unrelated)

For what it’s worth I am very doubtful of 16%. That seems aggregated from fake news that I myself have not given credence to and has been debunked in previously mentioned articles. 50% ish seems more likely even shortly after launch.

As for 'maybe' - it is the only time they have qualified their metrics with that.
Basic logic would follow that people who get new devices or update their existing devices use App Store more for updates (LG UI's) or new app installs than those that stay put and do not update their devices / have their current setup already established.

 

[I7guy]

Yes.

You will be unconvinced regardless of what is presented, so I acknowledge this is futile, but here's my low effort response:

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app...

forums.macrumors.com

(could not be prominent of an update prompt, never mind the frequency that it reminds you you may want to update in the middle of doing something completely unrelated)
View attachment 2605465
View attachment 2605466

As for 'maybe' - it is the only time they have qualified their metrics with that.
Basic logic would follow that people who get new devices or update their existing devices use App Store more for updates (LG UI's) or new app installs than those that stay put and do not update their devices / have their current setup already established.

Basically you admit you have your own biased opinion as I have mine. But yeah, believe what you want about iOS 26 adoption rates.

 

[thadoggfather]

Basically you admit you have your own biased opinion as I have mine. But yeah, believe what you want about iOS 26 adoption rates.

Of course I'm biased as well, but when I cite things over and over again, you just give 'no it isn't' type responses - who's more biased in the end?

The App Store qualification is the most sus.

Also if iOS 26 is so great and has minimal/no bloat/excellent performance universally acknowledged across the board (let's remove LG debate from the discussion for the time being, as that's the least interesting part of it for me and a matter of pure preference) why is IOS 27 gearing up to be a Snow Leopard style optimization first release according to rumors?

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/16/apple-plans-snow-leopard-cleanup-ios-27/

Why would they do that, if it were perceived so well as perfect?

 

[BigBlur]

d- they qualified these metrics as based on people that 'transacted on App Store' that skews results. That's a first.

As for 'maybe' - it is the only time they have qualified their metrics with that.

It's not "a first" and not the "only time". It has been done this way every year.

iOS 18

App Store - Support - Apple Developer

web.archive.org

iOS 17

App Store - Support - Apple Developer

web.archive.org

iOS 16

App Store - Support - Apple Developer

web.archive.org

 

[super chimp]

As for the iOS18 part of this, it is not abnormal for a company to have to move on in terms of support at some point so it can introduce new features and functions. If you choose to stay on iOS18, you will not be able to use certain services at some point.

I also have been running iOS 26 since the summer and while I see what people are complaining about, the longer people choose to avoid upgrading the less data Apple has to resolve issues and iron out things that people are hesitant to upgrade for.

I recently met with my family and most of them are holding out on upgrading because "TikTok" and not because of any logical reasoning or proven point.

You wouldn’t happen to be employed by Apple by any chance with your posts sounds like they came straight from Apple HQ.

 

[thadoggfather]

It's not "a first" and not the "only time". It has been done this way every year.

iOS 18
View attachment 2605471

App Store - Support - Apple Developer

web.archive.org

iOS 17
View attachment 2605472

App Store - Support - Apple Developer

web.archive.org

iOS 16
View attachment 2605473

App Store - Support - Apple Developer

web.archive.org

Interesting fair point then on that one. And also interesting that it’s been in February last few years notwithstanding last year with iOS 18.

Is by the wording they chose a snapshot day of devices transacting? Or aggregated up until that day? If the former they could pick and choose whatever they want lol.

See these are the counterpoints I am looking for at least.
—

I still think it’s telling that iPhone 17 series sold much better than iPhone 16 and the numbers are still down. This “no opt out” nature of new devices skews the figures.


Anecdotally I think 26.3 feels much nicer finally. Finally feels like my iPhone 17 pro is a fair bit more performative than my 16 plus was at its peak, pro motion aside. But maybe hard to judge given the display difference

My iPad mini 7 on the other hand. Still regretting updating even on iPadOS 26.3. It just feels heavy and unpolished to me.

Tahoe, similar but less rough than iPad.

 

[I7guy]

Of course I'm biased as well, but when I cite things over and over again, you just give 'no it isn't' type responses - who's more biased in the end?

The App Store qualification is the most sus.

Also if iOS 26 is so great and has minimal/no bloat/excellent performance universally acknowledged across the board (let's remove LG debate from the discussion for the time being, as that's the least interesting part of it for me and a matter of pure preference) why is IOS 27 gearing up to be a Snow Leopard style optimization first release according to rumors?

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/16/apple-plans-snow-leopard-cleanup-ios-27/

Why would they do that, if it were perceived so well as perfect?

I agree within the confines of MR ios26 is controversial. But IRL I have not heard people complaining about it, discussing it etc.

Of course that’s my anecdotal response and others claim their sisters, brothers, friends and parents hate iOS 26.

None of this discussion matters except to prove who is right and that will not be known.

I view your “evidence” differently than you do and form a different conclusion than you do.

If you dislike iOS 26, great. Maybe apple will improve it. As as far as improving iOS 26, maybe things they need to do in iOS 27 with the more widespread adoption of AI and that is why Apple has mentioned this will be more maintenance than functionality.

But I distrust Apple’s intentions here (in a good way). I’m hoping for lots of new stuff in IOS 27.

 

[super chimp]

I agree within the confines of MR ios26 is controversial. But IRL I have not heard people complaining about it, discussing it etc.

Of course that’s my anecdotal response and others claim their sisters, brothers, friends and parents hate iOS 26.

None of this discussion matters except to prove who is right and that will not be known.

I view your “evidence” differently than you do and form a different conclusion than you do.

If you dislike iOS 26, great. Maybe apple will improve it. As as far as improving iOS 26, maybe things they need to do in iOS 27 with the more widespread adoption of AI and that is why Apple has mentioned this will be more maintenance than functionality.

But I distrust Apple’s intentions here (in a good way). I’m hoping for lots of new stuff in IOS 27.

Rather than lots of new stuff in iOS 27 wouldn’t it be better to use it to fix the issues in iOS 26.

 

[TokyoKiller]

You wouldn’t happen to be employed by Apple by any chance with your posts sounds like they came straight from Apple HQ.

Haha that would be nice, I just remember this exact cycle happening when we went from iOS6 to iOS7 and the drama that ensued because of the drastic changes and thousands of visual bugs and glitches. I was expecting it when they announced Liquid Glass purely from that experience. It's gotten a long way where we are at in 26.3. Plenty more to fix and iron out.

 

[Chidoro]

Turns out, the is entire thread was pointless as adoption appears on par with previous versions. Redoing any further into it is laughable.

Move along, nothing to see here

 

[FeliApple]

Turns out, the is entire thread was pointless as adoption appears on par with previous versions. Redoing any further into it is laughable.

Move along, nothing to see here

False. The point of the thread is Apple strong-arming iOS 26/27 due to the garbage certificate policy.

That has not been disproven.

The Apple apologism is ridiculous.

 

[thadoggfather]

unless people stay on 18.7.3, I wonder if 18.7.7 will allow iMessage / Apple services since it comes after 18.7.4 ...after Jan 2027 (if what I suspect was true).

Apple Issues Rare iOS 18 Security Update to Protect Against DarkSword Exploit

Apple today released a new build of iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7, presumably with a fix for the DarkSword exploit. Apple told Wired that it would release an iOS 18 update for more devices, allowing users with auto-update turned on to receive the security update. iOS 18.7.7 was initially limited...

forums.macrumors.com

Someone stay on <18.7.4 for testing purposes 8 months from now 😛

 

[seek3r]

False. The point of the thread is Apple strong-arming iOS 26/27 due to the garbage certificate policy.

That has not been disproven.

The Apple apologism is ridiculous.

What “garbage” policy? The whole industry has been moving to shorter and shorter lived certs for a long time now, I designed and wrote the automation for the cert management for a large chunk of our infrastructure at work a decade ago already because of that shift.

This isnt new, it isnt just Apple, and it’s good security posture

ETA didnt notice how old this thread is, got a notification when the comment before mine appeared, point still stands though

 

[Howard2k]

What “garbage” policy? The whole industry has been moving to shorter and shorter lived certs for a long time now, I designed and wrote the automation for the cert management for a large chunk of our infrastructure at work a decade ago already because of that shift.

This isnt new, it isnt just Apple, and it’s good security posture

ETA didnt notice how old this thread is, got a notification when the comment before mine appeared, point still stands though

But can't we just forget certificates and leave everything unsecured? I mean, what's the harm?

(/s)

 

[HouseLannister]

I mean, what's the harm?

Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysertia!

 

[FeliApple]

What “garbage” policy? The whole industry has been moving to shorter and shorter lived certs for a long time now, I designed and wrote the automation for the cert management for a large chunk of our infrastructure at work a decade ago already because of that shift.

This isnt new, it isnt just Apple, and it’s good security posture

ETA didnt notice how old this thread is, got a notification when the comment before mine appeared, point still stands though

Why is it so hard to understand that the #1 goal on an iOS device apart from usability and compatibility is quality?

Certs, security postures, etc, are infinitely less relevant than usage quality. If the device loses 70% of battery life and performance plummets, so the user can’t run their apps without crashes, lags, and slowdowns, and sometimes they can’t even run their apps at all because the device has been too affected by a million major updates, that is FAR more relevant than any perceived security issue, especially on iOS.