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iOS 26 Shows Unusually Slow Adoption Months After Release [Updated]

_Spook_ said:
Apple needs to make it an auto update. Most users probably don’t even know it’s there. Or, like my wife, don’t have space to update easily. I updated on my iPhone, iMac and it’s so cool on my new Apple Watch 11. I never tried a beta, but it’s not slow, doesn’t drain battery. I got 3 full days of battery on my 17PM recently, medical emergency and I didn’t have a charger, I didn’t do anything special, I used my iPhone as usual, but it just kept going! The new iOS is great. Highly recommend downloading it and you won’t look back!
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no thanks please.
i want choice not forced updates.
 
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I’ve used it since it was first available to developers. I dislike the interface and the CarPlay glitches which were fixed, broken and fixed again. I don’t get how the same issue can reappear after being fixed, that’s inexcusable.

What is installed now is working so I’ve turned off updates and leaving it at that.
 
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Aside from iOS 26 itself... I also think a factor here was that just last year, with iOS 18, if we recall the fiasco/pushback from the vastly redesigned Photos app. It got better in 18.2 and eventually earlier this year, but I remember when it first came out, there was a lot of flack. My wife (who normally never cares about the stuff, but lets me make updates on her iPhone 15 Pro) was instantly pissed off at how much worse the Photos app was.

I think a lot of people remember that, and ensured Auto-Update is now off, and going forward, chose not to update so quickly this time to iOS 26 (if they even heard about it). And even a brief google search (or now AI-chat) asking "what do people think about iOS 26), they'll quickly see the largely negative posts/views.

Whether the actual stats are closer to the normal 60% or not, I know there is likely a solid subset of people, who fall into that category, and haven't updated yet!
 
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A lost cassette tape recording of Apple's engineering, design, and sales team reveals what happened. Excerpt:

“Our M processors are simply too good. No one is upgrading because the device they have is already amazing."

"Let's find the interface features that require the most processing power. That'll slow 'em down!"

"How about a glass-like transparency… that'll slow even the iPhone 16 to a crawl."

"Wow, what an awesome idea! Let's do it."
 
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I7guy said:
For some people using the phone less is a good thing. However, I have no issues with readability, touching, understanding what needs to be done etc. And my eyes aren't the greatest.

Going with the thread topic, almost everyone I know has upgraded to ios 26 with no issues. Here in the i7guy household, 2 iphones and 2 ipads.
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Totally agree with your assessment. No issues here.

I suspect the slow adoption is due to the typical Apple hate that permeates forums regarding new releases. Have to admit I fell for it waiting awhile before updating my phone.
 
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MacRumors said:
Apple now continues to support older operating systems with security updates, allowing users to remain on iOS 18 without immediate pressure to update or forfeit critical patches.
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@Hartley Could you please elaborate on your statement?

As far as we know, most "modern" iPhones are now stuck on 18.7.2. (18.7.3 RC was only available due to an oversight, which was "fixed" by Apple after a few days.)
But your statement sounds like Apple will now allow even "modern" iPhones to stay on iOS 18 and receive future security updates (18.7.4, 18.7.5 and so on.)
Did I miss something? Do you have a source for this statement?

Thank you!
 
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LONG LIVE TO iOS 18 !!! If you have iOS or iPadOS 18.7.3 on a device that supports iOS 26 you will be rich cause you will be able to resell for A LOT!!! Since you could do that in A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME !!! (And there is no ipsw for hackers who want to somehow sign it)
 
I actually believe the StatCounter numbers.

iOS 26=Windows 11

Most people learned Windows 11 was garbage, and stayed with Windows 10. Of course, people who buy a new PC and aren’t tech savvy will use Windows 11.

Many people don’t realize that Windows 10 and 11 drivers have the same compatibility. I just installed Windows 10 on a brand new laptop last month and all the 11 drivers were compatible!

if iOS 26 was so successful, why would Apple currently be updating 4 versions of iOS at the same time?

iOS 15, iOS 16, iOS 18, have all gotten recent updates in addition to 26. That tells you there is a huge user base using old iOS versions. Apple wouldn’t be irresponsible enough not to patch widely used operating systems.

iOS 15 is still one of my favorites. A majority of the apps in the App Store still support it, and even older versions. Even TikTok only requires iOS 12!

Long live iOS 15!

341F3151-F3AF-4C20-B32A-3D9D9F218EDA.jpeg
 
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Why upgrade? No must have features for most people. iOS works.

I upgraded after 5 years to an iPhone 17, so had no choice. It's not horrible but I made whatever changes were possible for reducing Liquid Glass. The phone upgrade was more of a change than the OS.
 
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naturalboy said:
Will Apple take these metrics as feedback, accept their failure, and change course? The market has spoken.
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Their true metric is stock price not customer satisfaction or OS adoption. Instead of reversing course they double down like what Microsoft is doing right now with AI in Windows 11. You can tell they feel superior and with a deep contempt toward their customers.
 
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MacRumors said:
Likewise, Apple now continues to support older operating systems with security updates, allowing users to remain on iOS 18 without immediate pressure to update or forfeit critical patches. This makes it much easier for users to remain on older software.
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Except some devices can't upgrade to 18.7.3 even though they're capable. 26 is forced
 
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If it was not for that they finaly sorted CarPlay, with features it should have had years ago, I'd be looking for another platform.
IOS26 is simply dreadful bloatware filled with utterly pointless features and a UI designed for god knows who.
 
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The contact detail / editing page is a mess. Overlapping, transparency, it’s terrible. Select a contact, scroll down and enjoy the visuals LoL.
 
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I wonder whether Apple realizes that 26 is costing them hardware sales, and not just from those switching to an Android phone or Windows 11. As we approached the end of fiscal 2025, I'd been thinking of replacing my M1 Mac Mini with an M4 Mini or MacBook Air but nixed that when I realized I'd be stuck with Tahoe. Doubt I'll be trading in my 16 Pro (running iOS 18.7.2) anytime soon either.
 
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I took the plunge and went iPadOS 26 and I detest the impact the OS has on usability. Thus none of my other devices has been moved over to an OS 26 release and may well hold off on this generation entirely as there’s little hint of sufficient improvement. I am hugely susceptible to slight glitches and motion clarity along with stutters, all of which are de rigeur on my iPad now. Could I return it to iPadOS 18 I would do so in a heartbeat.
 
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