Been on Macs since 2000, iPhones since 2007, iPads since 2010 and Watch since 2018 and my experience is 1% of the time is to delay install by 30 days
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Don't Want to Upgrade to iOS 26? Here's How to Stay on iOS 18 [Update: Now Unavailable]
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I would honestly rather have an insecure phone than upgrade to iOS 26 right now. They should continue releasing security patches.
Right now we’re at the dawn of corporate vibecoding, so you have your pick between vulnerabilities and bugs. Many of the vulnerabilities are only possible in theory while the bugs are very real.
As someone else suggested, you really should just upgrade to 26.2. I'd stop running that beta ASAP. I don't know what build # you have (see https://betawiki.net/wiki/IOS_26#iOS_26.0).
I look at the crash and hang logs for my company's app via Bugsnag (https://www.bugsnag.com/). Sometimes we see certain crashes or hangs that are only repro on old betas. We likely aren't going to do much/anything about those if they don't happen on the non-betas of that iOS version. And, by that point, it's impossible for us to install those old betas anyway, so we can't reproduce the bug even if we wanted to.
The # of users still on betas when a version has exited beta will only decline over time. And, when a new non-beta comes out, Apple's pretty pushy and most people upgrade to it.
I'm surprised Apple isn't putting in a "time bomb" where old beta builds stop working completely after a certain date after release.
Also, look at all the security updates that have come out for 26.x.x at https://support.apple.com/en-us/100100. You won't be getting any of those running that old beta including two that were already being exploited when 26.2 came out. Search https://support.apple.com/en-us/125884 for exploit.
I think you're out of luck now, unless you switch to a phone that's stuck on iOS 18. See https://everyi.com/by-capability/maximum-supported-ios-version-for-ipod-iphone-ipad.html for a list.
Pretty egregious behaviour, particularly since the sole device on OS26 is my iPad Pro M4 and it’s laggy and slow and it really ought not to be. I won’t even complain about the UI! Uh, I lie: ugh. And yuck? Also: the OS behaviour and its design seem linked. Some of that slowness is visibly due to visual effects Apple has added. So much VISTA going on I can’t see the future…
I will wait on WWDC27 before upgrading any other Apple devices I own. One potential exception: I missed the upgrade window on my mini, so it’s on macOS 14. That’s probably a step too far for my comfort.
I will wait on WWDC27 before upgrading any other Apple devices I own. One potential exception: I missed the upgrade window on my mini, so it’s on macOS 14. That’s probably a step too far for my comfort.
I am considering Android as well. Never owned one. I have noticed many of the Android phones are tremendously lower in price compared to iPhone. Or mebbe I'll just get a flip phone and abandon the smartphone insanity all together.
Didn't they drop the Mini because they didn't sell enough of them?
I have a 13 Mini and much as I love the small form factor they do have a serious problem – the small screen sacrifices a lot of functionality. Viewing pics or videos, reading text or websites, etc, does need a physically larger screen to be practical.
Though a decent folding phone might solve that problem.
I hear you.
There are times, and now is one of them, when I start seriously considering going back to a cheap, minimal, small dumb phone. Voice calls, text messages, alarm clock, timer, music, and basic camera covers 99.9% of my use, and I could live without the last four.
Do I really need to spend well north of a grand just for that, not including accessories? They worked okay for me before I got an iPhone, and I didn't have to stress out about not damaging or losing this expensive thing or having it stolen. They also fit easily into regular pockets.
Not everything new is good. I am increasingly unimpressed with how all this is going. Not just with Apple either.
It’s so strange as back in the day I used to find Android buggy and odd with its UI. But nowadays it feels like it’s iOS in that position. Obviously I’m aware that Android has bugs but it feels like with iOS it’s far more of an issue in iOS 26 than Android now. I also don’t appreciate Apple putting out an OS that seems to work so badly on so many supposedly supported devices. But the biggest crime is them dumping their prior design language and simplicity for a load of pointless eye candy, and seemingly a UI that’s much harder to use, and even read.
Some Android phone manufacturers went through a phase of making Android very eye candy first and usability second. I’ve noticed now a lot of them have toned this down because it was costing them sales.
Besides Liquid Glass, there’s absolutely nothing new in iOS26.
Edit: besides new bugs that is….
PS: the only good thing about this debacle is that everyone who works at Apple has use the same annoying iOS as everyone else. That makes me happy, knowing they are annoying at their own creation.
Edit: besides new bugs that is….
PS: the only good thing about this debacle is that everyone who works at Apple has use the same annoying iOS as everyone else. That makes me happy, knowing they are annoying at their own creation.
I, like many, see Apple as starting in 1975, not the point, when it become a corporate entity. And whilst I was incorrect in my volume of CEO's, the sarcasm shown by members here, truly highlights the divisiveness of society, always looking to 'score points'.
I believe where I erred, was suggesting CEO's. When you look at the list of people in that role, prior to Steve Jobs returning, the only name that most would remember, is John Sculley. For much of the earlier years, few would suggest anyone ran the company, other than Steve Jobs, and that is were I erred.
Sadly lots in here, feel that their words make a difference to the future of Apple, they won't. If you don't like Apple, or the direction of the company, either lump it, or move on. Few will care, no one will miss you...
There were two trees in the Garden of Eden
www.theregister.com
19th December front-page on the register what timing eh and what's da odds this project will see increased scrutiny by current & former Apple users? 🫣
pearOS is a Linux that falls rather close to the Apple tree
: Revived distro returns on Arch with KDE Plasma, global menus, and a familiar macOS-style sheen
19th December front-page on the register what timing eh and what's da odds this project will see increased scrutiny by current & former Apple users? 🫣
We will find out when OS27 launch.
If liquid glass was a mistake it will entirely be rolled back or heavily toned down.
Irrespective of an overall grand strategy (or not) the really key mistake was pushing it to macOS like this.
If APPLE are going to roll it back and tone it down (even revert), for quicker return and maximum save face, then implementing remedial action primarily on macOS would be the obvious path while continuing to bed in IOS & derivative OS with fixes and tweaks - these afterall are the mass market devices and liquid glass UI is really taking it's lead from these as opposed to the classic desktop/laptop user.
The most worrying thing is if all the teams, this design by committee proxy are all on board then it's not going to work out liek that - it's hard to see how the Silicon people and the hardware people would be happy with this, and maybe they are designing to a further along the line plan an liquid glass is even a half way step to something else (that also has hardware in mind) but desktop usage, the workbench of OS's needs it's dignity restored.
Fix macOS first, that's the easier and most efficient option.
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You said the below.
I don't know about "few would suggest anyone ran the company, other than Steve Jobs". I remember some of their other CEOs even though I personally didn't care much about Apple until they came out with iOS. Besides Sculley, I'd heard about Michael Spindler apparently hiding under his desk.
I remember Gil Amelio and weird strategies + complex product lines. I'd seen parts of Amelio's weird keynote with Muhammad Ali.
OT: I'm surprised I actually got 2 disagrees on post 329. For those two people, you really think someone should continue to run an iOS 26.0 BETA instead of 26.2? Why? That person can't downgrade any longer. He's already taken on pretty much all the negatives of 26.
Other app developers will likely not care about bugs that ONLY repro on his beta build because the # of users was never large and will be forever decreasing. Apple won't care either. Meanwhile, the # of users on 26.2 is likely already WELL past the # remaining on his beta build and will only increase until Apple stops signing 26.2 when something after 26.2 comes out.
Recently, in Bugsnag, for my company's app, I saw one crash that someone was hitting and that person's OS build # was the 1st developer beta for a some iOS release (IIRC, 17.0). Really? Someone in 2025 is still running a total trash build that was released at WWDC time years ago? Why? The first developer beta dropped at WWDC and a few after it are trash.
If it was a disagree in my reply to ResolutionNZ, I don't disagree with his ask but given what's happened with 18.7.3, the odds are low. Eventually (soon?), Apple will make it impossible for iPadOS 26-capable iPads to get future 18.x.x release and they'll be forced to go to the next 26.x to get security updates.
It was wrong.
You made a factual mistake. I don't care about scoring points. Let's not spread incorrect information.
I don't know about "few would suggest anyone ran the company, other than Steve Jobs". I remember some of their other CEOs even though I personally didn't care much about Apple until they came out with iOS. Besides Sculley, I'd heard about Michael Spindler apparently hiding under his desk.
I remember Gil Amelio and weird strategies + complex product lines. I'd seen parts of Amelio's weird keynote with Muhammad Ali.
OT: I'm surprised I actually got 2 disagrees on post 329. For those two people, you really think someone should continue to run an iOS 26.0 BETA instead of 26.2? Why? That person can't downgrade any longer. He's already taken on pretty much all the negatives of 26.
Other app developers will likely not care about bugs that ONLY repro on his beta build because the # of users was never large and will be forever decreasing. Apple won't care either. Meanwhile, the # of users on 26.2 is likely already WELL past the # remaining on his beta build and will only increase until Apple stops signing 26.2 when something after 26.2 comes out.
Recently, in Bugsnag, for my company's app, I saw one crash that someone was hitting and that person's OS build # was the 1st developer beta for a some iOS release (IIRC, 17.0). Really? Someone in 2025 is still running a total trash build that was released at WWDC time years ago? Why? The first developer beta dropped at WWDC and a few after it are trash.
If it was a disagree in my reply to ResolutionNZ, I don't disagree with his ask but given what's happened with 18.7.3, the odds are low. Eventually (soon?), Apple will make it impossible for iPadOS 26-capable iPads to get future 18.x.x release and they'll be forced to go to the next 26.x to get security updates.
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People like different things, and that is a positive thing. If we didn’t have change, we wouldn’t move in any direction, and it would get boring pretty fast.
I respect your opinion too.
That is one flavor of your regular consumer. I personallyknow a few “regular consumers“ they find the new interface difficult to navigate. All three wish they could go back.
The point with smaller phones is that they are highly beloved for tech enthusiasts and praised in forums like this… real world sales data isn’t that impressive that’s the main reason why these phones abandoned by the companies.
Especially because this „new interface“ barely has changed anything from the former one. Some elements are now placed on the bottom of the phone, that’s all. The way you navigate on the UI is the same as before.
I don't understand, why they can't simply continue to deliver security updates for the older devices running iOS 18 for 1-2 years. I forgot to update my mom's iPhone 11 to iOS 18.7.3, now it seems to be stuck on 18.7.2. I don't think it could handle iOS 26 and it's perfeclty fine and enough for her as it is with iOS 18.
Her iPad Air 2019 was also perfectly fine for media consumption and web browsing on iPadOS 18. I made the mistake to update it to iPadOS 26 and it's basically useless, it has become a piece of e-waste with a simple software update.
Her iPad Air 2019 was also perfectly fine for media consumption and web browsing on iPadOS 18. I made the mistake to update it to iPadOS 26 and it's basically useless, it has become a piece of e-waste with a simple software update.
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The new interface is visually different, and for many people, hard to see. Difficulty discerning navigation buttons, etc. makes navigating difficult and not enjoyable.
If regular people find it visually difficult to use, the design missed the mark.
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This is common after any change. iOS26 was a more significant deviation and so more people may notice and want to go back. What Apple and other companies know is that users adapt and then, one day, someone will complain and say they want to go back to iOS26. There will be the usual comments about how iOS26 was the last good version and that now their battery life is rubbish. I know this because it happens every single time!
Many observations in this thread and others here are either about visual or operational differences. These are the opinions that can change with familiarity.
It would be helpful if those reporting serious bugs could provide evidence that a significant number of users have that same, reproducible issue. Anything else could purely be down to a unique set of circumstances on their device.
Taking an example: - Some years ago I contacted Apple about inaccurate or missing labels for classical albums within iTunes. A large number of other listeners had already registered precisely the same problem on Apple Communities. I managed to have a discussion by phone and then needed to complete a very comprehensive statement so they could precisely remedy the issue. If I had merely bleated on about Bugs - Bugs - Bugs on some forum!!!! my precise concern would never have been resolved. As things were, the problems were looked into and resolved within a month.
I’m not talking about bugs, I’m talking about bad design.
I referred to that but comments on all I described run through this whole thread.
I have a spare iPhone 11 running iOS 26 to look at new versions of this monstrosity, but ugliness aside, it works surprisingly well. This is probably largely due to the lower resolution than in the 12 or 13. I have no complaints about the system itself; it's fast and fluid. Besides, iOS 26 is the best of the worst monsters.