Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Phones
  3. News

Apple confirms release date for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26 and macOS 26

Available from September 15

By
Add as a preferred source on Google
iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 shown on devices.
Apple

What’s happened? While its new operating systems were only mentioned briefing during the iPhone 17 launch event, it quietly updated its website with the date you’ll be able to download the new software on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac.

  • You’ll be able to download iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26 and macOS 26 Tahoe from September 15, 2024
  • Apple provides support for a long list of legacy devices, meaning the update will be available to millions

What this matters: Apple’s ’26’ version of software updates is its biggest in over a decade, delivering a brand new look and feel via its Liquid Glass interface.

  • It’s set to visually transform your devices, as well as bringing new features to your fingertips.
  • Every device gets something new, and you may find you phone, tablet, watch or computer feels like a new device once the update has installed.
Recommended Videos

Okay, what’s next? Keep an eye on your iDevice come Monday, as the new software update will drop at some point that day. Make sure the device you have is compatible first though, to avoid any disappointment.

  • iOS 26 supported devices: iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd gen), and newer
  • iPadOS 26 supported devices: iPad mini (5th gen), iPad (8th gen), iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen), and newer
  • watchOS 26 supported devices: Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Ultra, and newer
  • macOS 26 Tahoe supported devices: Mac Pro (2019), Mac Studio (2022), Mac mini (2020), iMac (2020), MacBook Pro 13 inch (2020), MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019), MacBook Air (Apple silicon), and newer
John McCann
John McCann
Former Managing Editor
John has been a consumer technology & automotive journalist for over a decade.
Topics
Minimal Phone 2 looks like a deliberate antidote to doomscrolling
The coming phone leans on a keyboard, calmer software, and a smaller body to fight smartphone overload.
Electronics, Phone, Mobile Phone

Minimal Phone 2 has entered waitlist mode with a clear promise. Minimal says its next phone is coming soon with a smaller, more refined design, a better keyboard, an aluminum body, and improved software.

The first Minimal Phone already tested whether people wanted an Android device that slowed phone use down without cutting off everyday tools. Its e-paper screen and physical keyboard made endless feeds less comfortable, while keeping apps, messaging, payments, and other basics within reach.

Read more
Galaxy Z Fold 8 may arrive soon, and the biggest upgrades just leaked
The battery and charging speeds are finally getting upgraded on the Galaxy Z Fold 8
Galaxy Z Fold 7 hands on

For the past two years, Samsung has launched its flagship foldable smartphones in July, and the upcoming 8-series foldables are expected to arrive sometime in the latter half of the month. This time, Samsung appears to have three foldables planned instead of the usual two, including the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The Z Fold 8 Ultra is expected to keep the familiar tall form factor seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 may be the more interesting model, as it is expected to adopt a shorter and wider design. Ahead of launch, alleged specifications for this model have surfaced through a post on X by SamMobile.

Read more
The Clicks Communicator just showed off its software, and it actually looks promising
The keyboard phone is back, and this first peek at its software has us grinning.
A hand holding the Clicks Communicator

The Clicks team finally gave us a first look at the Communicator software, and as someone who misses physical keyboards, I am genuinely excited about what I saw. We have seen plenty of the Communicator's design and hardware in previous teasers, but this is the first time we get to watch the software running on a real, working unit. And honestly, it does a good job of showing why a keyboard-first phone might still have a place in 2026.

https://twitter.com/clickskeyboard/status/2071819902097199277

Read more