Apple Reveals How Many iPhones Were Running iOS 26 Before WWDC

[MacRumors]

Apple has shared updated iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 adoption figures, revealing how many iPhones and iPads were running those software versions on the day before the start of WWDC 2026 and the release of the first iOS 27 developer beta.

These adoption numbers are based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on Sunday, June 7, according to Apple.

The statistics are as follows:

• 86% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 26.
• 79% of all iPhones were running iOS 26.
• 79% of all iPads introduced in the last four years were running iPadOS 26.
• 68% of all iPads were running iPadOS 26.

Here is how that compares to the iOS 18 adoption figures that Apple shared based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on Thursday, June 5, 2025:

• 88% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 18.
• 82% of all iPhones were running iOS 18.
• 81% of all iPads introduced in the last four years were running iPadOS 18.
• 71% of all iPads were running iPadOS 18.

iOS 27 beta testing is now underway, so this will be Apple's final update on iOS 26 adoption.

Article Link: Apple Reveals How Many iPhones Were Running iOS 26 Before WWDC

 

[Spongmincer]

So, how many?

 

[goodcow]

iOS 26 might be the first update I skip entirely. At least with iOS 27 I can disable all the Liquid Glass transparency, and it'll supposedly make my phone faster.

 

[sw1tcher]

These adoption numbers are based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on Sunday, June 7, according to Apple.

The statistics are as follows:

• 86% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 26.
• 79% of all iPhones were running iOS 26.
• 79% of all iPads introduced in the last four years were running iPadOS 26.
• 68% of all iPads were running iPadOS 26.

I wonder how many of these people who downgraded to iOS 26 from from iOS 18 would go back to iOS 18 if given the opportunity?

<-- * raises hand *

 

[tonmischa]

Would love to see a breakdown for MacRumors Forum posters 😂

 

[phenste]

god i’m excited for this comment thread

 

[CarAnalogy]

The statistic I want to see is how many actively used devices they are abandoning to 26 forever.

There are going to be a huge number of devices stuck on a terrible buggy release, with the newer and fixed version right there in front of them forever out of reach.

 

[DogGone]

I'm sure the vast majority wasn't even aware that the OS was being updated to a new version.
One interesting take away is that around 7% of all iPhones and 11% of all iPads are over 4 years old. That shows the longevity of Apple products.
Speaking of which my iPhone 15 Pro will be 3 years old in Sept. I used to upgrade every year but I may keep this for another year. The only thing that bugs me is that the battery drains quickly. It has 75% of its capacity and Apple says it needs to be replaced.
I think I will do that. Only $99 and same day service.

 

[justanotherdave]

how many Android devices are on the latest version? 😉

 

[sw1tcher]

iOS 26 might be the first upgrade I skip entirely. At least with iOS 27 I can disable all the Liquid Glass transparency, and it'll supposedly make my phone faster.

Definitely skip iOS 26. I would have if Apple hadn't dragged their feet with releasing security updates for iOS 18

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...

www.macrumors.com

Had this gone out 1.5 weeks earlier, I'd still be on iOS 18.

iOS 27 looks like it may fix a lot of the issues plaguing iOS 26. But I wouldn't upgrade until iOS 27.3, just to be safe.

 

[Lizzard899]

Because people are keeping their phones longer than 5 yrs and arent gonna spend $1000 or $2,000 on new phones. Also if the software sucks theyre not gonna update it

 

[Ursadorable]

I'm proud to be one of the ones still running iOS 18, and so far everything I've seen from the iOS 27 info, it looks like I'll still keep running it.

 

[crazytrain]

Upgraded my Apple Watch and had to install iOS26 - would not have done it unless I had to...

 

[I7guy]

Surprised to see the adoption figures. What they say to me is iOS 26 is perceived outside of MR differently than in these forums. I’m a fan of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.

 

[conchiconchi]

One interesting take away is that around 7% of all iPhones and 11% of all iPads are over 4 years old.

I'd think much more than that, where did you get those numbers from?

 

[svish]

Good to see these numbers. Nice that older iPhones too get the latest software updates.

 

[neuropsychguy]

I'd think much more than that, where did you get those numbers from?

If "86% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 26" and "79% of all iPhones were running iOS 26", a simple calculation indicates that a maximum of 91.9% of all active iPhones must be from the last four years for the statistics to work. The comment that "around 7% of all iPhones" is therefore potentially correct, but overly optimistic. The reality is probably in the 80% range (maybe as low as 60%).

Here's the math.

• ND = proportion of all active iPhones that were introduced in the last four years
• OD = older devices = 1 − ND
• New-device iOS 26 adoption = 86%
• Overall iOS 26 adoption = 79%
• Older-device iOS 26 adoption = x

0.79=0.86(ND)+x(1−ND)

For example, if 50% of older iPhones are running iOS 26 then about 80.6% of active iPhones are from within the past 4 years.

 

[JosephAW]

Guess that means that iOS 26 is no longer in Beta 🙄

 

[jms_uk]

I'm sure the vast majority wasn't even aware that the OS was being updated to a new version.

Other than constant notifications to update to iOs 26 if you are not on it?

 

[DailySlow]

Apple has shared updated iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 adoption figures, revealing how many iPhones and iPads were running those software versions on the day before the start of WWDC 2026 and the release of the first iOS 27 developer beta.

These adoption numbers are based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on Sunday, June 7, according to Apple.

The statistics are as follows:

• 86% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 26.
• 79% of all iPhones were running iOS 26.
• 79% of all iPads introduced in the last four years were running iPadOS 26.
• 68% of all iPads were running iPadOS 26.

Here is how that compares to the iOS 18 adoption figures that Apple shared based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on Thursday, June 5, 2025:

• 88% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 18.
• 82% of all iPhones were running iOS 18.
• 81% of all iPads introduced in the last four years were running iPadOS 18.
• 71% of all iPads were running iPadOS 18.

iOS 27 beta testing is now underway, so this will be Apple's final update on iOS 26 adoption.

Article Link: Apple Reveals How Many iPhones Were Running iOS 26 Before WWDC

Yes, I use 26. But semi-reluctantly. Its “highlights” are scarcely above toys in the UI. The UI will be notorious for 26 forever–ncluding Tahoe. Behind the bounce and the glass though, some good powerful stuff happened so all in all 50-50.

 

[con2apple]

I wonder how many users were practically forced to upgrade to iOS 26 because Apple, unlike Microsoft or Linux, only wants to keep the latest operating systems secure.

As slow, user-unfriendly, and inconsistent as iOS 26 is, at the end of the day, the computer has to be protected from hackers, malware and AI companies.

 

[Arytonsenna]

It's in the article. If "86% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 26" and "79% of all iPhones were running iOS 26", a simple calculation indicates that at a minimum 91.9% of all active iPhones must be from the last four years for the statistics to work. The comment that "around 7% of all iPhones" is therefore correct.

Here's the math. If "79% of all iPhones were running iOS 26", let's start with this: if all 79% of total devices on iOS 26 came from the last four years group, and we know that those newer devices (ND) have an 86% adoption rate, we can set up an equation: NDx0.86 = 0.79. ND = 0.79/0.86 ≈ 91.9%.

Again, that is the floor of how many active devices are from the last 4 years. It could be a little higher than that.

Your math isn’t mathing. There could either be tons of old phones with nearly 79% adoption, or a smaller number with a much lower percentage than 79%.

 

[maxoakland]

It seems like these numbers are being used to try to say “See, it wasn’t really that bad! People didn’t avoid upgrading!” But with the way Apple forces and tricks users into upgrading, those slightly lower numbers are a lot more notable

 

[maxoakland]

Surprised to see the adoption figures. What they say to me is iOS 26 is perceived outside of MR differently than in these forums. I’m a fan of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.

That’s what they want you to think. The reality rather than the spin is that Apple aggressively pushed these updates and removed the ability for people with compatible devices to access previous version updates. They nagged and poked and prodded users to upgrade

These numbers aren’t an indication of user choice or opinions because Apple did everything they could to force users hands

 

[Yr Blues]

It's because they dropped support for 18. If they continued to support 18, far fewer people would have switched. These numbers are so dumb.