How to Get Your iPhone Ready for iOS 26
A practical guide to checking compatibility, organizing your storage, backing up your data, and installing iOS 26 for a seamless upgrade experience.
Apple is scheduled to release iOS 26 on Monday, September 15, bringing a host of exciting new features to your iPhone. This major update includes a complete "Liquid Glass" design overhaul, advanced Home Screen customization, a streamlined Camera app, and new capabilities powered by Apple Intelligence.
To ensure your transition to the new operating system is as smooth as possible, it's essential to prepare your device beforehand. This guide will walk you through everything you need to do, from checking compatibility and cleaning up your storage to creating a secure backup.
Is My iPhone Compatible With iOS 26?
First, you need to verify that your iPhone model supports the new update. Apple has confirmed that iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and all newer models.
The supported devices are:
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
Keep in mind that some of the most advanced features in iOS 26, especially those related to Apple Intelligence, will require the power of an iPhone 15 Pro or a newer model. The upcoming iPhone 17 lineup will ship with iOS 26 pre-installed.
1. Free Up Your iPhone's Storage
Major iOS updates require a substantial amount of free space to download and install. A cluttered device can slow down the process or even prevent the update from completing. Now is the perfect time to declutter.
Review and Delete Unused Apps: Swipe through your Home Screen and App Library. If you find apps you haven't opened in months, delete them. Press and hold the app icon, then tap "Remove App" and "Delete App." You can always redownload them from the App Store later.
Use iPhone Storage Recommendations: Your iPhone has a built-in tool to help you manage storage.
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Wait for your device to calculate your storage usage.
Review the recommendations, such as Offload Unused Apps (which saves your documents and data) or Review Large Attachments in Messages.
Clean Up Photos and Videos: Open the Photos app and delete duplicate pictures, blurry shots, and old videos you no longer need. Don't forget to go to Albums > Recently Deleted and empty it to reclaim the space immediately.
Clear Safari Cache: Go to Settings > Safari, then tap Clear History and Website Data. This can free up a surprising amount of space.
2. Create a Secure Backup of Your iPhone
This is the most critical step. A backup is your safety net, ensuring that if anything goes wrong during the update, you can restore all your precious data, photos, and settings. You have two primary methods for backing up your iPhone.
Method A: iCloud Backup (Easiest)
Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.
Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then select iCloud.
Tap on iCloud Backup.
Make sure the "Back Up This iPhone" toggle is on.
Tap Back Up Now to start a manual backup and ensure everything is saved right before you update.
Method B: Mac or PC Backup (Recommended for a Complete Archive)
Creating a local, archived backup on your computer is the safest option. This backup won't be overwritten, guaranteeing you have a snapshot of your iPhone on iOS 18 to revert to if needed.
On a Mac:
Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable.
Open a Finder window and select your iPhone from the sidebar.
Under the General tab, select "Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac."
For added security, check the box for "Encrypt local backup" and create a password you'll remember.
Click Back Up Now.
Once the backup is complete, click Manage Backups. Right-click on your new backup and select Archive. This protects it from being overwritten.
On a Windows PC:
Connect your iPhone to your PC.
Open the Apple Devices app (or iTunes on older versions of Windows).
Select your iPhone and navigate to the General or Summary tab.
Choose "This Computer" as your backup location and click Back Up Now.
After it finishes, find the backup file location, and create a copy of the folder to archive it.
3. Update Your Apps
Developers work hard to ensure their apps are compatible with new iOS versions. An outdated app might not function correctly on iOS 26.
Open the App Store.
Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
Scroll down to see pending updates.
Tap Update All to ensure all your apps are ready for the new operating system.
How to Install iOS 26
Once iOS 26 is officially released on September 15, and you have completed the steps above, you are ready to upgrade. Make sure your iPhone is charged to at least 50% (or connected to a charger) and connected to Wi-Fi.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Your iPhone will check for the new software. When iOS 26 appears, tap Upgrade Now or Download and Install.
Enter your passcode when prompted.
Agree to the terms and conditions.
Your iPhone will download the update and then begin the installation process. The device will restart, and you'll see a progress bar. Be patient, as this can take some time. Once it's finished, your iPhone will boot up with the fresh and exciting iOS 26.
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