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Apple begins iOS 26 rollout with Liquid Glass visual overhaul
Apple has started seeding iOS 26 worldwide today, delivering one of the most significant visual updates to the iPhone operating system in years. The headline change is the new Liquid Glass design language, which reimagines icons, translucency, and animations for a more fluid, modern interface.
Rollout schedule and how to check for the update
The update went live simultaneously for millions of users at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM UTC. As with any major iOS release, propagation across Apple’s servers can take several hours, so the update may not appear immediately on every device. To check manually, open Settings → General → Software Update and follow the on-screen prompts if iOS 26 is available for your iPhone.
Supported iPhones: who gets iOS 26
iOS 26 supports iPhones back to 2019, meaning devices from the iPhone 11 series and newer are eligible. Apple will not update the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max to iOS 26; instead, those legacy models will receive iOS 18.7 as their final feature update.
Full list of iPhones compatible with iOS 26
iPhone 17
iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Plus
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
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2022)
iPhone SE (2020)
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Key features, comparisons and advantages
Liquid Glass brings refreshed visual polish, smoother transitions, and updated system icons that together improve perceived performance and modernize the UI. Beyond aesthetics, iOS 26 includes under-the-hood optimizations for battery management and privacy enhancements first previewed at WWDC 2025. Compared with iOS 25, users should notice more consistent animations, refined widgets, and small but meaningful improvements to the Camera and Messages experiences.
Use cases and market relevance
For consumers and professionals, iOS 26 aims to enhance everyday workflows—smoother multitasking, clearer notifications, and UI updates that reduce visual clutter. For developers and enterprises, the update introduces system-level refinements that can improve app responsiveness and accessibility, making iOS 26 relevant for both the consumer market and business deployments.
Tips for installing and troubleshooting
Before updating, back up your device to iCloud or a computer and ensure you have sufficient free storage and battery life. If iOS 26 doesn’t appear immediately, wait a few hours and retry Settings → General → Software Update. If issues persist, use Apple’s support resources or connect your iPhone to a Mac/PC to update via Finder or iTunes.
Source: gsmarena
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