iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Drop Support for Older Devices: Is Yours Still Safe?

Apple Inc

Apple’s next big software updates — iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 — were officially unveiled at WWDC 2025, and this time, they’re a little more aggressive about retiring older hardware. While iOS 18 generously supported every device from iOS 17, iOS 26 takes a different path. So, the big question: Has your iPhone or iPad hit the chopping block?

Last year, iPadOS 18 quietly dropped support for A10-based devices. This year, the trimming extends to both iPhones and iPads, especially those with A12 chips or older. But even if your device makes the cut, it might not support every feature — especially Apple Intelligence, which remains reserved for newer chipsets.

iPhone Models That Support iOS 26

To run iOS 26, your iPhone must have at least an A13 chip. Devices powered by older chips — including the iPhone XR and XS lineup — are now stuck on iOS 18. Devices marked with an asterisk (*) support Apple Intelligence.

If you're unsure which iPhone model you have, check via:

Settings » General » About » Model Name

Supported iPhones:

• iPhone 16e (A18) [2025] *

• iPhone 16 / 16 Plus / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max (A18 / A18 Pro) [2024] * 

• iPhone 15 / 15 Plus (A16) [2023]

• iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max (A17 Pro) [2023] *

• iPhone 14 / 14 Plus (A15) [2022]

• iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max (A16) [2022]

• iPhone 13 lineup (A15) [2021

• iPhone 12 lineup (A14) [2020]

• iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd gen, A13/A15) [2020–2022]

• iPhone 11 lineup (A13) [2019]

No longer supported (stuck on iOS 18):

• iPhone XR (A12) [2018]

• iPhone XS / XS Max (A12) [2018]

Apple Inc

iPad Models That Support iPadOS 26

To install iPadOS 26, your iPad needs an A12 chip or newer. Devices running A10 — like the 7th-generation iPad — are left behind. As with iOS, not all features (especially AI-related ones) are available to every supported device.

Check your model via:

Settings » General » About » Model Name

Supported iPads: 

iPad (Standard):

• iPad (11th gen, A16) [2025]

• iPad (10th gen, A14) [2022]

• iPad (9th gen, A13) [2021]

• iPad (8th gen, A12) [2020]

• iPad Air: iPad Air 13"/11" (M3) [2025] *

• iPad Air 13"/11" (M2) [2024] *

• iPad Air (5th gen, M1) [2022] *

• iPad Air (4th gen, A14) [2020]

• iPad Air (3rd gen, A12) [2019]

• iPad mini: iPad mini (7th gen, A17 Pro) [2024] *

• iPad mini (6th gen, A15) [2021]

• iPad mini (5th gen, A12) [2019]

• iPad Pro: iPad Pro 13" (M4) [2024] *

• iPad Pro 11" (M4) [2024] *

• iPad Pro 12.9" (6th gen, M2) [2022] *

• iPad Pro 11" (4th gen, M2) [2022] *

• iPad Pro 12.9" (5th gen, M1) [2021] *

• iPad Pro 11" (3rd gen, M1) [2021] *

• iPad Pro 12.9" (4th gen, A12Z) [2020]

• iPad Pro 11" (2nd gen, A12Z) [2020]

• iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd gen, A12X) [2018]

• iPad Pro 11" (1st gen, A12X) [2018]

No longer supported (stuck on iPadOS 18):

• iPad (7th gen, A10) [2019]

Should You Upgrade?

If your device didn’t make the cut, this fall might be the right time to consider a new iPhone or iPad, especially as Apple typically releases new hardware with its stable OS launch.

For those still supported: You’ll receive iOS 26 / iPadOS 26. But you may not get Apple Intelligence, even if you get the update — this is mostly limited to devices with A17 Pro and M-series chips.