Apple has published its first official adoption statistics for iOS 26, showing that uptake of the latest iPhone software is slightly behind last year’s release.
Data shared with developers shows that 74% of iPhones released in the last four years are now running iOS 26, while 66% of all active iPhones have installed the update.
The figures were measured on February 12, 2026, around 150 days after iOS 26 launched on September 15, 2025.
For newer devices, Apple says 74% are on iOS 26, 20% remain on iOS 18, and 6% are still running older versions.
By comparison, iOS 18 reached 76% adoption on devices from the previous four years at a similar stage. That update launched on September 16, 2024, with Apple measuring adoption after 127 days.
One possible reason for the slower uptake is the scale of change introduced with iOS 26.
The update marked a major break in Apple’s software naming, jumping directly from iOS 18 to iOS 26.
The update delivered one of the most dramatic redesigns in years, introducing Apple’s new Liquid Glass visual language across the system. The interface brought translucent layers, reworked navigation, refreshed icons and more dynamic layouts, significantly changing how iOS looks and feels.
iOS 26 also marked a major shift toward on-device AI, laying the groundwork for Apple Intelligence features and a more personalised Siri experience, some of which are still rolling out in later updates.
Large visual overhauls have historically led some users to delay updating, particularly on older devices, as they adjust to new design choices or wait for early bugs to be ironed out.
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