Apple has announced that its latest operating systems, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, will be publicly released on September 15, 2025, following months of beta testing that started after WWDC25.
The iOS 26 update is compatible with iPhones launched in 2019 or later, with the iPhone 11 being the oldest supported model. Devices that will not receive this update include the iPhone Xs and iPhone XR. Compatible iPhone models include the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and Pro Max, 12 and 12 mini, 12 Pro and Pro Max, SE (2nd gen), 13 and 13 mini, 13 Pro and Pro Max, 14 and 14 Plus, 14 Pro and Pro Max, 15 and 16 Plus, 15 Pro and Pro Max, 16, 16e, and 16 Plus, and the 16 Pro and Pro Max. Notably, Apple Intelligence-powered features will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, meaning users with older iPhones will not have access to certain iOS 26 features.
iPadOS 26 will also be released on September 15, 2025. It will be compatible with the iPad Air 3, M2 iPad Air, and newer models; iPad (8th generation or later); iPad Pro (Third-generation/A12X Bionic and later models); and iPad mini 5 and newer.
The watchOS 26 update is scheduled for release on the same day, supporting the Apple Watch SE (2nd gen/2020), Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Series 10, Ultra, and Ultra 2.
macOS Tahoe is set to release on September 15, 2025, aligning with the release of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. This mirrors the release strategy of macOS Sequoia alongside iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in the previous year, reflecting the increasing integration between the operating systems. A key highlight of macOS Tahoe is its Liquid Glass redesign. However, the update drops support for several Intel-based Macs. Compatibility will be limited to MacBook Air (M1 and later), MacBook Pro (2019 and later), Mac mini (M1 and newer), all Mac Studio models, Mac Pro (2019 and newer), and iMac (2020 and later).
For users participating in the beta program, Apple has already distributed a release candidate build of these operating systems in anticipation of the public launch.
The coordinated release of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and macOS Tahoe highlights Apple’s commitment to providing a unified and contemporary user experience across its extensive ecosystem of devices. Users are encouraged to check their device compatibility and prepare for the updates rolling out on September 15, 2025. This comprehensive suite of updates reflects Apple’s ongoing efforts to enhance performance, introduce innovative features, and maintain a cohesive software environment across its product lines.
