Apple announces September 15 release date for new OS updates including iOS 26
Alongside its new hardware announcements, Apple confirmed that its next wave of operating system updates will be available to the public on September 15. This includes iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26, and visionOS 26, all moving out of beta on that date.
This year introduces two major shifts from Apple. The first is a comprehensive new design language called Liquid Glass. This represents a significant visual overhaul for Apple’s operating systems, focusing on translucency and fluid animations to create a more dynamic user experience.
The other big change is to the naming convention itself. The jump from iOS 18 to iOS 26 might seem sudden, but it is a deliberate move by Apple to align its software version numbers with the year of release. This change is intended to create more consistency across its product lineup.
The new iPhone 17 models will ship with iOS 26 pre-installed. The update will also be available for download on a wide range of older devices, including the iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, as well as the second-generation and later models of the iPhone SE.
Compatibility for watchOS 26 is also broad. It will be available for the latest Apple Watch models, the second-generation Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6 or later, and all variants of the Apple Watch Ultra. For visionOS 26, Apple Vision Pro users will be able to install the update next week.
The compatibility lists for iPadOS and macOS are more detailed. To run macOS 26, also known as macOS Tahoe, users will need one of the following Macs: a MacBook Air with Apple silicon from 2020 or later, a MacBook Pro with Apple silicon from 2020 or later, the 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2019, the 13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, an iMac from 2020 or later, a Mac mini from 2020 or later, a Mac Studio from 2022 or later, or a Mac Pro from 2019 or later.
iPadOS 26 will be compatible with these iPad models: the new iPad Pro with M4, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro from the 3rd generation and later, the 11-inch iPad Pro from the 1st generation and later, the iPad Air with M2 and M3 chips, the iPad Air from the 3rd generation and later, the iPad with A16 chip, the iPad from the 8th generation and later, the iPad mini with A17 Pro chip, and the iPad mini from the 5th generation and later.
Apple has not yet announced a specific release date for tvOS 26, which is still listed as coming this fall. This delay could be because Apple is waiting to launch an updated Apple TV 4K hardware model, which rumors suggest is coming soon, potentially alongside a new smart home hub. The current Apple TV 4K model was released three years ago. When it does arrive, tvOS 26 will be available for second-generation and later Apple TV 4K devices.
