iOS 26 Adoption Hits 74% on Recent Devices After 150 Days

Apple has released its first official adoption statistics for iOS 26, revealing that 74% of devices introduced in the last four years are now running the latest operating system, while 66% of all devices have made the upgrade. The data, collected from App Store transactions on February 12, 2026, provides insight into how quickly iPhone users are embracing Apple's latest mobile software after 150 days of availability.

iOS 26 Adoption Numbers by Device Age

For devices introduced in the last four years:

• iOS 26: 74%
• iOS 18: 20%
• Earlier versions: 6%

For all devices:

• iOS 26: 66%
• iOS 18: 24%
• Earlier versions: 10%

These figures show that iOS 26 adoption is progressing steadily, though slightly behind the pace of iOS 18's rollout. After 127 days, iOS 18 reached 76% adoption among recent devices, compared to iOS 26's 74% after 150 days.

Impact of Dropped Device Support

The adoption rate comparison requires important context. iOS 26 dropped support for three iPhone models that were still compatible with iOS 18:

• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR

This change affects the adoption math significantly. iOS 18 was supported on the same iPhone models as iOS 17, creating a more straightforward upgrade path for users. The removal of these devices from iOS 26's compatibility list means that users who might have upgraded from iOS 17 to iOS 18 now cannot upgrade to iOS 26 at all.

iPadOS 26 Follows Similar Pattern

iPad users show comparable adoption trends with iPadOS 26:

For devices introduced in the last four years:

• iPadOS 26: 66%
• iPadOS 18: 28%
• Earlier versions: 6%

For all devices:

• iPadOS 26: 57%
• iPadOS 18: 26%
• Earlier versions: 17%

Historical Context and Trends

Looking at previous iOS releases provides perspective on iOS 26's performance:

iOS 18 (after 127 days):

• Recent devices: 76% on iOS 18
• All devices: 68% on iOS 18

iOS 17 (after 139 days):

• Recent devices: 76% on iOS 17
• All devices: 66% on iOS 17

iOS 16 (after 139 days):

• Recent devices: 20% on iOS 16
• All devices: 23% on iOS 16

The data demonstrates that iOS 26 is performing in line with historical patterns, despite concerns from some industry observers about potential adoption challenges.

Apple's Strategy for Update Flexibility

In recent years, Apple has implemented a more nuanced approach to iOS updates. The company now maintains support for older iOS versions alongside new releases, recognizing that not all users are ready to upgrade immediately. This strategy was evident with iOS 26's release, as Apple simultaneously released iOS 18.7 and later iOS 18.7.5 with important security fixes.

This approach serves multiple purposes:

• Provides security updates for users who haven't upgraded
• Reduces pressure on users to adopt immediately
• Maintains a broader security baseline across the installed base
• Allows users to wait for initial bug reports before upgrading

Developer Implications

The adoption data has significant implications for iOS developers. With 74% of recent devices running iOS 26, developers can reasonably target iOS 26-exclusive features while maintaining compatibility with a smaller percentage of users on older versions. The 20% still on iOS 18 represents users who may be holding off due to compatibility concerns or preference for stability.

Market Context

The adoption rates reflect Apple's continued strength in keeping its user base current with the latest software. While Android faces fragmentation challenges with OS versions, Apple maintains a relatively consolidated ecosystem where the majority of active devices run relatively current software versions.

Looking Ahead

The data raises interesting questions about macOS Tahoe adoption, though Apple doesn't release comparable statistics for its desktop operating system. Given the different upgrade patterns for Mac versus iPhone, the macOS adoption data would provide valuable insights into how users approach operating system updates across Apple's product lineup.

The iOS 26 adoption numbers suggest that despite the removal of three popular iPhone models from support and the significant changes introduced in the update, Apple's user base continues to embrace new software releases at a healthy pace. The slight lag compared to iOS 18 appears attributable more to the dropped device support than to any fundamental resistance to the new operating system.