BURST(NEXSTAR) — It's September, which typically indicates an Apple event is coming up. With it will come a new, massive update, complete with features like Liquid Glass, more design options, and expanded Apple Intelligence.
However, not every iPhone user will get to enjoy the new tech.
Apple recently announced its next event will take place on September 9 at noon ET. While Apple fanatics are anticipating the new iPhone 17 (potentially including a super-thin model), Apple Watch, and AirPods, the biggest change you may encounter is iOS 26.
The next major software update, which breaks from the numerical tradition the company has been following for more than a decade, is expected to be released sometime after next Tuesday's event.
Those who participate in Apple's Developer Program and Beta Software Program have already gotten to experience some of the soon-to-be-available features. In addition to Liquid Glass, Apple says those features include options to set the snooze duration on your alarm, Call Screening to respond to unwanted calls, and Apple Intelligence capabilities with the Reminders app.
The age of your device, however, will quickly determine whether or not you get to experience any of the features in iOS 26. As is common practice with Apple, its devices at some point become too old to handle the newest features.
According to Apple, the following iPhones will be able to get the next major iOS update:
- iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE, 2nd generation and later
Other Apple devices will also have access to iOS 26. According to Apple, those are:
- Watch Series 6 and newer, 2nd generation Watch SE, and all Watch Ultra models
- iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (A16), iPad (8th generation and later), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad mini (5th generation and later)
- MacBooks from 2019 or 2020 and later, depending on the model
There's an extra caveat: Only the newest iPhones have access to Apple Intelligence. That includes iPhones 15 and 15 Pro Max and all iPhone 16 models. iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad and Mac models with M1 and later also qualify.
Not sure which device you have? On iPhone, open the Settings app, then go to General, and About. On a Mac, you can open the About This Mac tool from the Apple menu. Apple offers steps on identifying iPads using the model number.
Even if you have an eligible device, you still may be delayed in downloading iOS 26 when it becomes available. If your device doesn't have enough space, lacks an internet connection, and has a low battery, you may not be able to download iOS 26.
While no specific release date has been announced for iOS 26, it is expected to be available later this month. The last three major updates, iOS 16, 17, and 18, were released within a week of their respective Apple events, 9to5Mac reports.