News

Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote is already in the rearview mirror, and, as usual, the event was dominated by the changes coming to the iPhone's operating system later this year. The reports of a numbering scheme change were true — iOS 18 is skipping to iOS 26 — but there were a laundry list of actual usability changes shown off, as well as the new Liquid Glass design, which looks to be Apple's largest visual update in years. But the biggest question we're all wondering: Will my iPhone be able to run iOS 26?

Last year, Apple didn't nix any iPhones from its eligibility list, but that's not the case for 2025 — a few models are getting cut this time. All iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to get the boot in 2023, and this year the 2018 models are getting left behind. If you have an ineligible device, you won't be able to download iOS 26 when it becomes available this fall.

We'll get to the bottom of which iPhones will support iOS 26 this year. To see what's coming with the latest OS and more, here's everything announced at Apple's WWDC event today.

These three iPhones won't be compatible with iOS 26

Unlike last year, several iPhone models won't be eligible to download the newest iOS when it makes its debut this fall. This trio of models first released in 2018 won't be coming to the iOS 26 party:

iPhone XR

iPhone XS

iPhone XS Max

iPhones compatible with iOS 26

While we don't yet know the new iPhones Apple will be dropping this fall — though there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple's site, that the phones listed below will be compatible with iOS 26. Basically, if you have an iPhone that was announced in 2019 or later, you're in the clear:

iPhone SE (second generation or later)

iPhone 11

iPhone 11 Pro

iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone 12

iPhone 12 mini

iPhone 12 Pro

iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 13

iPhone 13 mini

iPhone 13 Pro

iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 14

iPhone 14 Plus

iPhone 14 Pro

iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 15

iPhone 15 Plus

iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 16e

iPhone 16

iPhone 16 Plus

iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro Max

What if I don't want to buy a new iPhone?

If you want to continue using your older iPhone that isn't supported by iOS 26, that's fine. However, you'll miss out on security updates which could potentially put your phone at risk for malware and other threats. Additionally, some apps may stop working if they require a certain version of iOS or later. And of course, you won't be able to access the latest features iOS 26 offers.

When will iOS 26 become available?

Apple usually rolls out its latest iOS in mid-September, just a few days before the new iPhones hit store shelves. Last year, it released iOS 18 on Monday, Sept. 16. Expect a confirmation of the release date at that iPhone 17 event, expected in early September.

iOS 26 features we're excited about

Liquid Glass design: Your home screen is getting revamped with new app icons, including dark mode and all-clear options. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design. Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes more cohesive.

Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music.

Live Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translate will translate your conversation in real time.

Polls feature: Coming to group messages in the Messages app, chat members will be able to create polls. This can help prevent the unwanted 30+ messages when it comes to deciding which restaurant you're meeting at this weekend.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/apple-is-releasing-ios-26-this-fall-will-your-iphone-be-compatible-191854628.html?src=rss

Contrary to the narrative some hold that America is in decline, many towns and cities are experiencing a rebirth. James Fallows, of The Atlantic magazine, and his wife, Deborah, traveled the country, stopping in one small town after another, to witness the forces of entrepreneurship and creativity that are driving an American renewal. They've written a book, "Our Towns," and talked with correspondent Lee Cowan about the creativity, compassion and generosity of small town America that are the driving forces behind a nation remaking itself. Cowan also talked with small business owners (like Duluth, Minn., craft brewers Laura Mullen and Bryon Tonnis) and Greenville, S.C., Mayor Knox White on what helped turn around their communities.

Apple has revealed iPadOS 26The new software update brings a new look, new apps, and vastly improved multitasking capabilities to iPad Apple is calling it the "biggest iPadOS release ever"Apple has revealed iPadOS 26, one of the most expansive iPadOS updates of all time.New features include a totally overhauled design, new windowing tools for multitasking, the addition of the Preview app, Genmoji, and Image Playground, and a revamped Files app.In an official press release, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi said: “iPadOS 26 is our biggest iPadOS release ever, with powerful features that take the experience to the next level and transform what users can do on iPad”With this year’s WWDC – which we’re still covering via our WWDC 2025 live blog – Apple has taken a step towards giving the iPad the software power it needs to make the most of its fantastic hardware. We expect iPadOS 26 to release in September 2025 based on the release pattern of previous versions.As an iPad user myself, I’m glad to see Apple pushing the tablet’s capabilities. Without further ado, here are the new iPadOS features we’re most excited for.A new name(Image credit: Apple)The rumors were true – Apple has officially revealed that the successor to iPadOS 18 will be called iPadOS 26, instead of iPadOS 19.If you’re wondering what happened to the seven version numbers between iPadOS 18 and iPadOS 26, Apple has decided to change the naming convention of all of its operating systems to reflect their year, rather than their version number.However, Apple seems to be going the route of high fashion and automotive naming conventions by naming each version after the following year – iPadOS 26 is still expected to fully release in September 2025.A new look (Image credit: Apple / Future)iPadOS 26 is getting a full-on visual overhaul, which is perhaps the most immediately exciting change coming to iPad.Alongside iOS 26 and macOS 26, iPadOS 26 brings a new visionOS-inspired look to the iPad’s UI and software experience, constructed with a digital material called Liquid Glass.Expect translucent textures, rounded corners, and bubbly icons both on the homescreen and within first-party apps, as well as a new ‘clear’ theme to sit alongside light mode, dark mode, and the color tint options.Windows and multitasking(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)iPadOS 26 brings better, more flexible window management that improves on the limited windowed view offer by Stage Manager.This is a heavy hitter of a new feature that also pushes the iPad further into Mac territory – proper window management.iPadOS 26 offers the ability to resize and rearrange windowed apps to any size or position on screen. When you close and reopen an app, it appears in the same position and at the same size you last opened it.For years, iPad users have been left wanting when it comes to window management – the addition of Stage Manager in 2022 added a kind of multitasking to iPad, but it’s never really felt as smooth as a Mac desktop or something like Samsung DeX. That could be about to change.The new windowing system also includes the new Exposé view, reminiscent of macOS’ mission control, and the mouse pointer has been updated to be, well, an actual pointier.The WWDC keynote confirmed that this new window system, with support for up to six simultaneous windows, will come to all currently available iPads.Menu bar (Image credit: Apple)iPadOS 26 also adds a menu bar to the new windowed mode, accessible by bringing the mouse to the top of the screen.The new menu bar is reminiscent – but not identical – to the menu bar on macOS, with specific options based on the currently opened app.Preview (Image credit: Apple)Preview – Apple’s dedicated PDF app – comes to iPad with iPadOS 26, making it much easier to read, edit, and export PDFs.The app’s features include the ability to open PDFs from the Files app, create empty pages and use Apple Pencil to draw or write, and use Apple’s AutoFill system to fill in forms and documents.As an iPad user I’ve often been frustrated by the tablet’s limited options for working with PDFs – I’m glad to see Apple implementing Preview.Apple Games(Image credit: Apple)iPadOS 26 brings a dedicated gaming app to the iPad. The new Apple Games app is a spiritual successor to the Game Center app that was removed from iPadOS and iOS in 2016, and brings together all of your games in one place.Apple Games also replaces Game Center’s more recent function as the gaming-focused aspect of a user’s Apple ID. The new Game Overlay enables users to call friends or invite them to games, check out updates, and access settings.The new app is also coming to iPhone via iOS 26.Apple Intelligence updates(Image credit: Apple)iPadOS brings a number of Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Apple’s tablet platform.Genmoji and Image Playground make their way to iPad for the first time, offering users the ability to create custom-made emoji and images.Siri has also got an upgrade, remaining aware of the context of prior requests and benefiting from a large database of Apple product knowledge.Furthermore, Live Translation comes to FaceTime and Messages on iPad and iPhone, making communication across language barriers easier.Background tasks (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)iPads are the most powerful tablets you can buy, and with iPadOS 26 users can now access that power with tasks in the background. For example, you’ll now be able to export a video with Final Cut for iPad while using other apps. The export progress will appear as a live activity.This is another feature that adds flexibility to the astounding hardware power of M-series equipped iPads, and opens doors for more professional creative workflows.Journal(Image credit: Apple)The Journal app, previously exclusive to iPhone, makes its way to iPad with iPadOS 26. Journal pretty much does what it says on the tin – it’s a place to write about and store memories, photos, and events.Journal on iPad supports Apple Pencil, which ostensibly means there’ll be space to write and draw in each entry.Better audio recording(Image credit: Apple)The iPad's audio recording powers have expanded with iPadOS 26. As well as the ability to choose different microphone inputs for different apps, the iPad's Voice Memos app now supports Voice Isolation, which blocks out background noise.Additionally, users with compatible AirPods models (AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2) can benefit from what Apple calls 'studio quality audio recording'.Other app updates (Image credit: Apple)As for other iPadOS 26 app updates, the Files App has recieved some key improvements. List view now shows more detail and a preview of each document, while folders can be added to the dock.The Messages app gets themed backgrounds, polls, and a refreshed UI, while Notes and Calculator get advanced 3D graphing in both the Calculator itself and Math Notes.Also, the pen toolkit accessible in apps like Notes gets a new reed pen, designed for calligraphy.Let us know which of these iPad features you’re looking forward to most in the comments below. There’s plenty more to explore from this year’s WWDC – be sure to check out our WWDC 2025 live blog for a blow-by-blow rundown off all the updates and announcements.You might also likeiOS 26 compatibility – does your iPhone support it? Here's the full list of supported devicesDoes your Mac support macOS Tahoe 26? Here’s the full list of compatible MacBooks and MacsThe best tablet 2025: from the iPad Pro to the Galaxy Tab and everything in between

The island of Heimaey, just off the coast of Iceland, is a breeding ground for Atlantic Puffins. But the colorful birds are not as plentiful here as they once were. Scientists say their numbers have been down by a third or more just since 2002. And one threat to the puffins is the local fishing village's bright lights, which can confuse young pufflings and draw them away from their nocturnal feeding ground. Enter the Puffling Patrol - young children who volunteer to rescue lost birds. Lee Cowan pays a visit.

Actress Pauley Perrette's character from the series "NCIS," Forensic Specialist Abby Sciuto, is one of the best-loved crimefighters on TV. But now, Pauley's decided to leave the show, and after 15 years, she's having a hard time letting go. Correspondent Tracy Smith talks with Perrette about life beyond Abby - from her long fascination with criminal science, to the more than two dozen charities which she supports, including her pet charity, the Amanda Foundation, a non-profit animal rescue in Beverly Hills.

Washington, D.C. lawyer Helena Bala experienced an unusual sense of connection and fulfillment five years ago when she saw a homeless man, with whom she stopped and shared a sandwich and a conversation. After listening to his story, she posted an ad on Craigslist offering to listen to anyone who just needed to talk. She was immediately flooded with requests. And so began Craigslist Confessional. Bala talked to Jim Axelrod about how what she offers to the hundreds of people desperate to talk is very different from typical therapy.