iOS 26 is now live - here's how to download it (and which iPhones support it)

Apple CEO Tim Cook says iOS 26 has been the most popular beta ever, and now the general release has arrived. Here's how you can install it.

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Apple announced big changes to the iPhone's operating system as part of iOS 26 during WWDC 2025 in June -- and it's now widely available for iPhone users. After debuting a highly anticipated iPhone 17 lineup earlier this month, including the thinnest iPhone ever with the 17 Air, Apple also confirmed that the general release of iOS 26 would happen on Monday, Sept. 15. 

Most iPhone users will receive a free software update to upgrade to iOS 26, though availability may vary depending on carrier, region, and local regulations. iOS 26 is the successor of iOS 18, the current widely available operating system for iPhones. Instead of launching ...