Are people updating to iOS 26? Here’s Apple’s official data
Understanding the Data, the Trends, and What It Means for the Apple Ecosystem
Apple finally broke its silence on iOS 26 adoption rates this week, releasing the first official statistics since the operating system launched last September. For developers, marketers, and Apple watchers, this data is the pulse of the ecosystem—a concrete indicator of how quickly users are embracing the latest features (and the hardware required to run them).
The headline numbers might look strong at a glance, but a deeper dive reveals a subtle shift in user behavior. Adoption is slowing down compared to the blistering pace of previous years. Is this a sign of stagnation, or just the new normal for a mature platform?
We analyzed the developer data released on February 13, 2026, to understand exactly where the iPhone install base stands today and what it means for the future of the ecosystem.
The Raw Data: Where We Stand Today
Apple measures adoption using two primary metrics: devices introduced in the last four years (which filters out ancient hardware) and all active devices (which includes every functioning iPhone connecting to the App Store).
Here is the snapshot of the ecosystem as of February 12, 2026—exactly 150 days after the launch of iOS 26:
74% of iPhones introduced in the last four years are running iOS 26.
66% of all active iPhones are running iOS 26.
At face value, having nearly three-quarters of modern iPhones on the latest OS is an achievement Android manufacturers can only dream of. However, in the context of Apple’s historical performance, these numbers tell a story of deceleration.
The Comparison: iOS 26 vs. Its Predecessors
To understand the trend, we have to look at the historical data. When we compare iOS 26 to iOS 18 (released in late 2024), the lag becomes apparent.
iOS 18: Hit 76% adoption on modern devices after just 127 days.
iOS 26: Hit 74% adoption on modern devices after 150 days.
Despite having nearly a month longer to propagate, iOS 26 is trailing its predecessor by two percentage points. While a 2% gap might seem negligible, when applied to an install base of over a billion active iPhones, it represents millions of users who have chosen—active or passive—to stay on older software.
The “All Devices” Gap
The gap widens when we look at the total install base. iOS 18 had reached 68% of all devices by January 2025. iOS 26 currently sits at 66% in February 2026. The adoption curve has undoubtedly flattened.
The Hardware Factor: The XS and XR Cutoff
Why the slowdown? The most significant factor is likely hardware support.
iOS 26 marked the end of the road for several popular devices. The update dropped support for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. These devices, released in 2018, were incredibly popular and remained in active use for years due to their robust performance and Apple’s long-term support.
In contrast, iOS 18 supported every single device that could run iOS 17. There was zero hardware attrition between those generations.
When Apple cuts support for older phones, the “All Devices” adoption percentage takes a mathematical hit. Millions of perfectly functional iPhone XR units are still scanning the App Store every day, but they are permanently stuck on iOS 18. They count toward the denominator (total devices) but can never count toward the numerator (iOS 26 devices), naturally dragging the percentage down.
The Strategy Shift: Security Without Upgrades
There is another, more strategic reason for the slower uptake: Apple has made it safer to not upgrade.
In the past, staying on an old iOS version often meant leaving your device vulnerable to security exploits. Apple used to aggressively push users to the latest major version to patch holes.
That philosophy has evolved. Apple now regularly releases standalone security updates for older versions of iOS. Just recently, Cupertino released iOS 18.7.5, delivering critical security fixes to users who haven’t made the jump to iOS 26.
By decoupling security from features, Apple has removed the “fear factor” from upgrading. Users can now stay on a stable, familiar operating system like iOS 18 without compromising their data safety. This is a pro-consumer move, but it inevitably reduces the urgency to tap that “Update” button.
iPadOS: The Tablet Lag Continues
The story on the iPad remains consistent with historical trends: tablet users update slower than phone users.
66% of iPads from the last four years are on iPadOS 26.
57% of all active iPads are on iPadOS 26.
This is standard behavior. iPads are often secondary devices, shared by families, or used for specific static tasks (like a kitchen screen or point-of-sale system) where software updates are less of a priority. The gap between iPadOS 18 (which hit 63% in fewer days) and iPadOS 26 (66% after 150 days) mirrors the iPhone’s trend—steady, but slower than the previous cycle.
What This Means for the Ecosystem
Is iOS 26 a failure? Absolutely not. A 74% adoption rate on modern hardware is still the gold standard for the industry. However, the data suggests we are entering a phase of “Peak Smartphone” maturity where the rush to upgrade software is waning.
The “Good Enough” Threshold
For the average user, the year-over-year changes in iOS are becoming more incremental. If iOS 18 works perfectly fine, and Apple is still patching its security flaws, the incentive to download a massive gigabyte-heavy update for iOS 26 diminishes.
The Developer Dilemma
For developers, this fragmentation—minor as it is—requires a strategic choice. While the vast majority of profitable users are on iOS 26, a significant chunk remains on iOS 18. Support for iOS 18 APIs will likely need to be maintained longer than usual to capture the full audience.
The Feature bottleneck
This slow adoption also has ripple effects on new features. As we saw with the delayed Tesla CarPlay integration, third-party companies often wait for a “critical mass” of users to be on a specific OS version before rolling out features that depend on it. Slower adoption can theoretically slow down the rollout of advanced ecosystem integrations.
The Bottom Line
The iOS 26 numbers tell a story of a mature, stable ecosystem. The days of frantic, near-instantaneous adoption of new operating systems may be behind us, replaced by a slower, more calculated migration.
For the user, this is arguably a better place to be. You are no longer forced to upgrade your hardware or your software just to stay safe. But for Apple, it presents a new challenge: in a world where the old software is “good enough,” how do you convince the final 26% that the new version is essential?
If you enjoy Apple Secrets, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to support our work.