How to Get Your iPhone Ready for iOS 26

[MacRumors]

Apple is scheduled to release iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 on Monday, September 15, bringing a host of new features to existing iPhones and iPads, such as a Liquid Glass design overhaul, new Home Screen customization options, a streamlined Camera app, new Phone app features, and more.

This article covers some of the things you can do to prepare your ‌iPhone‌ or iPad for Apple's latest mobile operating system, including storage maintenance tips, backup advice, and a few other useful tidbits to consider before upgrading. First though, you'll need to make sure your ‌device is compatible with the new software.

Is My iPhone Compatible With iOS 26?

iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. In other words, the following models are supported:

• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

Note that this compatibility list does not mean that all iOS 26 features will work with the above models. Several of the update's features are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, since they rely on Apple Intelligence. You can learn more about them here.

Note that iOS 26 will come pre-installed on new iPhone 17 models when they launch in September 2025.

Is My iPad Compatible With iPadOS 26?

iPadOS 26 supports the following iPad models:

• iPad Pro (M4)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
• iPad Air (M2 and later)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad (8th generation and later)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)

This means the only iPad model that supports iPadOS 18, but not iPadOS 26, is the lower-cost iPad (7th generation).

Note that this compatibility list does not mean that all iPadOS 26 features will work with the above models. Several of the update's features are exclusive to devices that support Apple Intelligence: these include iPad models with M1 or later chips, and the 7th generation iPad mini with A17 Pro chip.

Reclaim Device Storage Space

Before you attempt to make the leap to iOS 26/iPadOS 26, you'll first want to make sure your device has adequate space to download and install the new operating system over the air.

With that in mind, it's worth looking at what apps you currently have installed on your devices and whether you really need them. Swipe through your home screen and check inside your folders to root out any long-forgotten apps that are taking up precious storage space.

You can delete apps by holding a finger on them and tapping the X that appears at the corner of their icon. Alternatively, go to Settings ➝ General ➝ iPhone/iPad Storage, tap any apps you don't use, and select Delete App. Note that this action can't be undone, but be ruthless – you can always re-install removed apps at a later date if you change your mind.

Check on the size of any social media or messaging apps you have installed, such as Facebook and WhatsApp. These apps can often balloon in size after long periods of activity because of chat history, media caching and the like, so you might want to delete and reinstall them to start afresh.

Also, be sure to heed any personal recommendations on the ‌iPhone‌ Storage screen, like keeping high-resolution photos in iCloud and smaller-size versions on your device, or letting iOS automatically offload any apps you don't use often.

Make an Archived Backup of Your Device on Mac

It's best practice to have a local backup of your device stored on your computer in case something goes awry, or the worst happens and installation of iOS 26 fails. If you need to downgrade shortly after installing a new iOS/iPadOS update, making an archived local backup beforehand is necessary, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to ‌iOS 18/iPadOS 18 if things go wrong.

1. Plug your iPhone/iPad into your Mac using the supplied cable.
2. Allow the accessory to connect by clicking Allow in the dialog prompt.
3. Open a Finder window by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock.
4. Click your iOS device's name in the sidebar.
   
   
   
   If this is the first time connecting your device to your Mac, click Trust in the Finder window.
   
   
   
   Tap Trust on your device when prompted, then enter your passcode to confirm.
5. In the General tab, click the circle next to where it says Back up all of the data on your iPhone/iPad to this Mac.
6. If you want to encrypt the backup, check the box next to Encrypt local backup, then enter a password to protect your data.
7. If you don't want to create an encrypted backup, or you've already set up encrypted backups, click Back Up Now. When the backup is finished, you can find the date and time of the last backup in the General tab, just above the Manage Backups button.
   
   
   
   Lastly, archive the backup: Select Manage Backups ➝ Select Backup, then right-click the backup and choose Archive. This protects it from being overwritten by the next local backup or automatically deleted if your Mac is low on storage space.

Remember that this backup will not be overwritten when you manually or automatically back up your iPhone in the future, so you can restore it at any time by using the Restore Backup... option in the same Finder screen.

Make an Archived Back... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: How to Get Your iPhone Ready for iOS 26

 

[Pooneil]

I have been wondering that in view of the feature of iOS 26 of call blocking and text screening and blocking by the OS, should I disable any third party apps that screen phone calls or apps that screen text message for spam before installing iOS 26?

 

[ghostface147]

Screw it, I just did a full restore last night and started from scratch.

 

[Velin]

Missed the most important step: a clean install via the “restore iPhone” while plugged into a Mac.

 

[silvertech]

It’s really bad right now. I wouldn’t.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

It’s really bad right now. I wouldn’t.

My brother installed the RC on his 16 Pro on Wednesday, and then told me this morning that he is rolling back to 18 and will be on it for a while.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Anybody know what’s going on as to when we will be getting the GM release?

 

[strayts]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you want health and fitness data to be included in the backup you MUST check the encrypt local backup box, correct?

 

[klasma]

My Apple devices may be compatible with whateverOS 26, but I’m afraid my eyes and UI sensibilities are not.

 

[Plutonius]

In the past, older iPhones were included but the new iOS didn't run well on some of them.

If you have an older iPhone that is supported, I suggest holding off on the update until you hear from others that it runs well on your model.

 

[AgeOfSpiracles]

Guess I've been living under a rock, I had no idea Windows users didn't still sync via iTunes.

 

[indefinite]

Getting the iPhone 17 Pro Max, so I will have to update my ecosystem.

 

[Green Valkyrie]

It’s really bad right now. I wouldn’t.

I've been using it since the first developer beta. It's absolutely fine.

 

[Aleco]

I would stay far away from this update until after a few additional releases.

My battery life is so bad on my 16PM… I’ve never reached percentage numbers this low ever since installing the beta.

Can’t even imagine how it’s going to feel on an iPhone 11.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Forget about getting your devices ready - get your brain ready. iOS 26 is so, so ugly. And that's ignoring the myriad of visual bugs like weird shadow behavior in Safari or constant home screen icon re-drawing.

 

[Green Valkyrie]

In the past, older iPhones were included but the new iOS didn't run well on some of them.

If you have an older iPhone that is supported, I suggest holding off on the update until you hear from others that it runs well on your model.

Fine on my 12 Pro Max.

 

[iamgalt]

It’s really bad right now. I wouldn’t.

Your specificity is astonishing.

 

[theboyfrombonao]

I guess is time to buy a new iPad since i have the 7th generation since 2019

 

[AlanMarron]

It’s really bad right now. I wouldn’t.

I have found that it works okay, but I’m still meh about the look. I advised my family members to look at it on someone else’s iPhone or iPad before installing.

 

[jpinoniemi]

Great article, especially the step to

Make an Archived Backup of Your Device on Mac

This takes longer, but if something goes sideways, you have a backup to restore from.​

 

[AlanMarron]

I've been using it since the first developer beta. It's absolutely fine.

All the glitches seem to have been fixed. For me it’s about the look and font sizes, etc. I have no issues with usability on my 9th gen iPad.

 

[mevans7]

Step 1: Wait 4 months
Step 2: ...

 

[TVreporter]

You forgot to add:

“Pray, cross fingers, sacrifice a goat, or knock on wood so it won’t drain the battery on any model not introduced this year.”

 

[BotchQue]

Just like Gary wrote it.

 

[mecloud]

From the article: “Plug your iPhone/iPad into your Mac using the supplied cable”

If you have one of the devices that supports USB 3 speeds (iPhone 15/16 Pro models), you want to use a high-speed USB-C cable to save a lot of time making the backup. The Apple-supplied charging cable is limited to USB 2 speed.