Apple’s iOS 26, unveiled at WWDC 2025, marks the first major redesign since iOS 7—and it comes with a fresh Liquid Glass aesthetic and revamped features like Live Translation and Apple Intelligence enhancements. But who can actually run it? Let’s break down the official U.S. compatible device list.
iPhones That Support iOS 26
Apple confirms that any iPhone from the iPhone 11 onward is compatible with iOS 26, except for the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max which are now excluded.
Full supported list includes:
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd generation)
- iPhone 12 / 12 mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 / 13 mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 / 15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 / 16 Plus / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max / 16e
- Future iPhone 17 lineup will ship with iOS 26 out of the box
Devices Dropped from iOS 26 Support
Notably, Apple has dropped support for the following older models:
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
These models, which topped out at iOS 18, are not supported in iOS 26, marking a shift toward newer hardware requirements.
Apple Intelligence–Capable iPhones
While a wide range of devices can run iOS 26, the most advanced Apple Intelligence features (like visual intelligence, smarter Siri, and real-time translations) require a higher-performing chip. Only the following models support the full suite of AI features:
- iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max
- All iPhone 16 models
iPads Compatible with iPadOS 26
- Supports iPadOS 26 (general compatibility): iPads with A12 chip or newer — iPad (8th gen and later), iPad mini (5th gen & newer), iPad Air (3rd gen & newer), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen & newer), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen & newer), and M-series iPads.
- Apple Intelligence–enabled models: iPad Air (M1/M2/M3), iPad Pro 11″ (3rd gen M1, 4th gen M2, M4), iPad Pro 12.9″ (5th gen M1, 6th gen M2, M4), and iPad mini (A17 Pro)
Why Some Older Models Lose Support
Dropping support for iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max (all with A12 Bionic chips) aligns with Apple’s shift toward more advanced AI and visual experiences. A13 and newer chips are necessary to handle iOS 26’s Liquid Glass interface, translation engines, and system-wide enhancements.
Quick Summary Table
| Category | Supported Devices |
|---|---|
| iOS 26 Compatibility | iPhone 11 → iPhone 16e and future iPhone 17 models |
| Dropped Models | iPhone XR, XS, XS Max |
| Apple Intelligence Support | iPhone 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models |
| iPads (iPadOS 26 Compatible) | iPad (8th gen+), iPad Air (3rd+), iPad mini (5th+), iPad Pro (11″/12.9″ newer) |
| iPad Apple Intelligence | iPad Air M1/M2/M3, iPad Pro M1/M2/M4, iPad mini A17 Pro |
