Apple Reveals How Many iPhones Were Running iOS 26 Before WWDC - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Reveals How Many iPhones Were Running iOS 26 Before WWDC

by

Apple has shared updated iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 adoption figures, revealing how many iPhones and iPads were running those software versions on the day before the start of WWDC 2026 and the release of the first iOS 27 developer beta.

iOS 26 on Three iPhones
These adoption numbers are based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on Sunday, June 7, according to Apple.

The statistics are as follows:

  • 86% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 26.
  • 79% of all iPhones were running iOS 26.
  • 79% of all iPads introduced in the last four years were running iPadOS 26.
  • 68% of all iPads were running iPadOS 26.

Here is how that compares to the iOS 18 adoption figures that Apple shared based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on Thursday, June 5, 2025:

  • 88% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 18.
  • 82% of all iPhones were running iOS 18.
  • 81% of all iPads introduced in the last four years were running iPadOS 18.
  • 71% of all iPads were running iPadOS 18.

iOS 27 beta testing is now underway, so this will be Apple's final update on iOS 26 adoption.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Tag: iOS Adoption
Related Forums: iOS 26, Apple, Inc and Tech Industry

Popular Stories

iOS 26 6 2

Apple Releases iOS 26.6.2

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:47 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 26.6.2 with a fix for "an issue that prevents downloading a software update over a cellular connection." The minor software update is rolling out now for the iPhone 11 series and newer. To update your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. It might take a few minutes for the update to be visible to everyone. iOS 26.6.2 arrives...
Read Full Article • 94 comments
ios 26 7

Apple Releases iOS 26.7 With Security Fixes

Monday September 14, 2026 10:32 am PDT by
Alongside iOS 27, Apple today released iOS 26.7, an update to the existing iOS 26 software. Users who check for new software will see iOS 26.7 as the default update, with iOS 27 listed as an option at the bottom of the Software Update interface. According to Apple's release notes, iOS 26.7 includes security fixes, but it does not have any other features. Apple will eventually show iOS 27 ...
Read Full Article • 61 comments
apple lock security bug vulnerability fix privacy

iOS 27 and iOS 26.7 Fix More Than 100 Security Bugs

Monday September 14, 2026 11:36 am PDT by
Today's iOS 27 update addresses over 100 security vulnerabilities, which is a good reason to install the new software. If you don't want to update to iOS 27 yet, Apple also released iOS 26.7 with over 80 security fixes. 75 of the fixes are shared across both updates, so iOS 26.7 addresses many of the same issues. There are multiple kernel fixes, including one that could allow a malicious...
Read Full Article • 33 comments

Top Rated Comments

sw1tcher Avatar
sw1tcher
14 weeks ago

These adoption numbers are based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on Sunday, June 7, according to Apple.

The statistics are as follows:

* 86% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 26.
* 79% of all iPhones were running iOS 26.
* 79% of all iPads introduced in the last four years were running iPadOS 26.
* 68% of all iPads were running iPadOS 26.

I wonder how many of these people who downgraded to iOS 26 from from iOS 18 would go back to iOS 18 if given the opportunity?

<-- * raises hand *
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
goodcow
14 weeks ago
iOS 26 might be the first update I skip entirely. At least with iOS 27 I can disable all the Liquid Glass transparency, and it'll supposedly make my phone faster.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Soba Avatar
Soba
14 weeks ago

These numbers aren’t an indication of user choice or opinions because Apple did everything they could to force users hands
Exactly. The upgrade messages were constant and bordered on oppressive for iOS 26. Even with auto-update and auto-download disabled, my phone nagged me daily on the lock screen to update from iOS 18. I'm surprised I didn't end up upgrading by accident with a clumsy screen tap, which is exactly what happened to my parents and a handful of friends; they didn't want to update, but did so accidentally. There is no way for an average user to disable these upgrade prompts.

Apple used to tout these adoption figures to demonstrate how much value there was in their new software. Now, all they're doing (apparently without realizing it) is publicizing how heavy handed they are.

If Apple really wants useful adoption statistics, they should scale back the nagging prompts and release security updates for two prior releases on all compatible models of iPhone, as they already do for macOS. In that case, the numbers might actually reflect user enthusiasm and satisfaction (like they used to).
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
tonmischa
14 weeks ago
Would love to see a breakdown for MacRumors Forum posters 😂
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Spongmincer
14 weeks ago
So, how many?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maxoakland Avatar
maxoakland
14 weeks ago
It seems like these numbers are being used to try to say “See, it wasn’t really that bad! People didn’t avoid upgrading!” But with the way Apple forces and tricks users into upgrading, those slightly lower numbers are a lot more notable
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments