Apple recently released new data that reveals progress in adopting iOS 26, its latest version of the operating system for iPhones and iPads. Despite constant growth, the update has demonstrated a slightly slower pace compared to iOS 18 in equivalent periods after their respective launches. The technology company annually measures the speed at which its users migrate to new platforms, offering an important overview of the mobile ecosystem.
iOS 26 Performance on Recent iPhones
The company’s latest analysis, based on devices that transacted on the App Store through June 7, 2026, focuses primarily on iPhone models released in the last four years. In this specific segment, most users have already opted for the most current version.
- 86% of iPhones launched in the last four years use iOS 26;
- 11% still operate with iOS 18;
- 3% remain in previous versions.
Adoption Overview Across Supported Devices
When expanding the analysis to cover all iPhones capable of running iOS 26, the numbers indicate a user base that is still resistant to the update. This broader perspective reflects the diversity of Apple’s device fleet and different consumer priorities.
- 79% of compatible iPhones are running iOS 26;
- 14% use iOS 18;
- 7% operate with older systems.
Receptivity to iPadOS 26 among Tablet Users
In the universe of iPads, the adoption dynamics of iPadOS 26 follows a similar pattern, with the most recent version gaining ground, but without reaching all capable devices. Tablets launched in the last four years show a trend towards greater updates.
- 79% of iPads released in the last four years use iPadOS 26;
- 16% maintain iPadOS 18;
- 5% operate with previous versions.
Considering all iPad models that support iPadOS 26, the distribution of the installed base points to a significant portion still being in past versions.
- 68% of compatible iPads use iPadOS 26;
- 17% are on iPadOS 18;
- 15% remain on older versions.
Factors Influencing Slower Adoption of New iOS
The slight delay in adoption of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, which are 2% and 3% behind the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 numbers recorded in June of the previous year, can be attributed to a number of factors. Historically, new operating system releases bring with them not only innovations, but also the expectation of potential bugs or stability issues that lead some users to wait for minor updates. Furthermore, the perception about the relevance of new features or compatibility with older hardware can influence the decision to migrate, with part of the developer community expressing doubts about the ideal time for the launch of iOS 26.