iOS 26 Released: Older iPhones Not Supported
Apple released iOS 26 today, November 5, 2025, but the update is not available for all iPhone users, potentially leaving millions with older devices unable to access the latest features.
The new operating system requires the A13 Bionic chip or newer, meaning iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR models are excluded from the iOS 26 upgrade. While these older devices will continue to receive security updates through iOS 18 (or iOS 16), they will miss out on features like the redesigned “Liquid Glass” interface and built-in spam call blocking. This tiered access to features is becoming increasingly common as software demands more processing power.
Furthermore, certain advanced features within iOS 26, collectively known as Apple Intelligence – including Genmoji, Image Playground, and Visual Intelligence search – are even more demanding. These capabilities are limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16 models, and the newly released iPhone 17. Users can determine their iPhone model by navigating to Settings > General > About and checking the “Model Name.” For more information on Apple’s software updates, visit Apple Support.
Apple has stated that devices ineligible for iOS 26 will continue to receive critical security patches, ensuring a baseline level of protection. The company did not offer further comment on the decision to limit access to the full iOS 26 feature set.
Apple has released iOS 26, but if you haven’t seen the latest update appear on your iPhone yet, you might be out of luck. Devices older than iPhone 11 are out of luck, and you’ll need to upgrade to a more decent device before you can check out new features like the “Liquid Glass” redesign and the ability to block spam calls.
Because iOS 26 requires the power of the A13 Bionic chip or newer, some popular older models have unfortunately been left out of iOS 26, although they will continue to get security updates for iOS 18 (or iOS 16). Find out below if your iPhone supports the iOS 26 update.
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Every iPhone that supports iOS 26
The phones left off this year’s list are the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR.
The iPhone 17 will come loaded with iOS 26.
Heads-up: Apple Intelligence isn’t on all iPhone models
While all of the models above can install iOS 26, Apple Intelligence requires beefier hardware. Features such as Genmoji, Image Playground and the new Visual Intelligence search only work on:
- iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 models
- iPhone 17 models
If you’re on an older device, you’ll still get all the design changes and everyday updates, but nothing involving Apple Intelligence.
Watch this: 26 More Things Hidden in iOS 26
Not sure which iPhone model you own?
On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look at Model Name. If your phone isn’t on the compatibility list, it will keep receiving iOS 18 security patches for a while, but you won’t see any of iOS 26’s new features.
