Apple Reveals How Many iPhones Were Running iOS 26 Before WWDC - MacRumors
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

Apple Releases iOS 26.5.2 With Security Fixes

Monday June 29, 2026 10:21 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 26.5.2 and iPadOS 26.5.2, minor updates to the iOS and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. iOS 26.5.2 comes a month after the launch of iOS 26.5.1, an update that added a charging fix for the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 models. iOS 26.5.2 and iPadOS 26.5.2 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General >...
Read Full Article • 32 comments
iOS 26

Apple Seeds Third iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 Betas to Developers

Monday June 29, 2026 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the second betas. Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update. With iOS 27 set to launch in September, Apple is...
Read Full Article • 9 comments
iOS 26

Apple Seeds Third Public Betas of iOS 26.6, macOS Tahoe 26.6 and More

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:38 am PDT by
Apple today provided public beta testers with the third betas of iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, macOS Tahoe 26.6, watchOS 26.6, and tvOS 26.6, with the software coming a day after Apple seeded the betas to developers. After signing up to beta test the software updates on Apple's beta site, public beta testers can download the new software using the Software Update section in the Settings app on each ...
Read Full Article • 7 comments

Top Rated Comments

sw1tcher Avatar
sw1tcher
6 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
6 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
6 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
6 weeks ago
Would love to see a breakdown for MacRumors Forum posters 😂
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Spongmincer
6 weeks ago
So, how many?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maxoakland Avatar
maxoakland
6 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