iOS 26 drops at the start of next week

Hot off its iPhone 17 event, Apple has confirmed that the latest version of its iPhone operating system - iOS 26 - will be available from September 16 (AEST). 

Announced in June, iOS 26 includes new features such as the "Liquid Glass" redesign, live translation across Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, call screening, improved visual intelligence, and a new Games app. 

Most phones that support iOS 18 will be able to upgrade to iOS 26. The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR are the three exceptions.

You can install iOS 26 on the following iPhones:

iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16e, 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, Phone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 12, Phone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (2020)

The iPhone 17 family will naturally run iOS 26 out of the box. 

In addition to the new iPhone operating system, the latest version of iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS will all also launch on September 16. 

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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