Is iPhone/iPad Truly Ready for iOS 26? An Essential Preparation Checklist

Will You Regret the iOS 26 Update? Avoid These Critical Mistakes Before Installing

Getting your iPhone or iPad ready for a big software update like iOS 26 is a smart move. The new update is coming with many fresh changes, including a new “Liquid Glass” look, fun polling features for group messages, and even new ringtones. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and want to install it right away. However, taking a few preparatory steps ensures the process is smooth and your personal data stays safe. This guide will walk you through everything you need to do before you begin the update.

Will Your Device Run the New Software?

Before anything else, you must confirm if your device is compatible with the new update. Each year, Apple releases a new version of iOS and iPadOS, and sometimes older models are not powerful enough to run the new software effectively. This is usually because new features require more processing power or memory than older devices have. Checking compatibility first saves you from the disappointment of trying to update a device that cannot support it.

Supported iPhone Models for iOS 26

The list of iPhones that can run iOS 26 is quite long, but it does leave some older models behind. If you have one of the following devices, you are ready for the update. The phrase “All Models” includes every version released in that series, such as the standard, Pro, Pro Max, Plus, and mini variants.

• All iPhone 17 models
• All iPhone Air models
• All iPhone 16 models
• All iPhone 15 models
• All iPhone 14 models
• All iPhone 13 models
• All iPhone 12 models
• All iPhone 11 models
• iPhone SE (3rd generation) and newer
• iPhone SE (2nd generation) and newer

Supported iPad Models for iPadOS 26

Similar to iPhones, only certain iPad models are able to run iPadOS 26. This is especially true for advanced multitasking features, which work best on iPads with newer processors and larger screens. Here is the complete list of compatible iPads.

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and newer
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) and newer
• iPad Air (3rd generation) and newer
• iPad (8th generation) and newer, including iPad A16
• iPad mini (5th generation) and newer, including iPad mini A17 Pro

Always Back Up Your Device First

This is the single most important step you can take. A backup is a copy of all your personal information, including photos, contacts, messages, and app data. If anything unexpected happens during the update, your backup ensures you will not lose your precious memories or important information. Think of it as a safety net. You have two primary methods for backing up your device: iCloud and a computer. It is wise to use both if you can.

Backing Up with iCloud

This is the easiest method for most people. iCloud backups can happen automatically every day as long as your device is connected to Wi-Fi, plugged into a power source, and has its screen locked. To check your iCloud backup settings, go to the Settings app, tap on your name at the top, select iCloud, and then tap on iCloud Backup. Make sure the switch is turned on. You can also tap “Back Up Now” to start a backup immediately.

Backing Up to a Computer

A local backup on a Mac or Windows PC is also a great idea. It provides an extra layer of security and is necessary if you ever want the option to return to an older version of iOS after updating. If you have a Mac, you can use the Finder. Simply connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac, open a Finder window, and select your device from the sidebar. Then, click “Back Up Now.” For those with a Windows PC, you can use the Apple Devices app or iTunes to perform the same action.

Free Up Storage Space

Major software updates require a significant amount of free storage space to download and install correctly. The update file itself can be several gigabytes in size, and your device needs even more temporary space to unpack and process the files. This is a perfect time to do some digital spring cleaning.

Go to Settings, tap General, and then select iPhone/iPad Storage. At the top, you will see a colored bar showing what is taking up your space. Below that, Apple often provides helpful recommendations for freeing up storage. Here are some effective ways to make more room.

• Delete Unused Apps: Scroll through your app list. If you find apps you have not opened in months, it is probably safe to delete them. Just tap the app in the storage list and choose “Delete App.”
• Offload Apps: If you want to keep an app’s data but need to free up space, you can “Offload App.” This deletes the app but saves its documents and data. You can reinstall it later and pick up right where you left off.
• Manage Photos and Videos: Media files are often the biggest consumers of storage. Consider moving old photos and videos to your computer or a cloud storage service. You can also go through your camera roll and delete blurry photos, duplicates, and long videos you no longer need.
• Clear App Caches: Some apps, especially social media and streaming apps, store a lot of temporary data called a cache. While iOS manages this automatically, some apps have a setting to clear their cache. For others, the only way to clear the cache is to delete and reinstall the app.
• Remove Old Downloads: If you download movies from Netflix, shows from Apple TV+, or music from Spotify, these files can take up a lot of space. Go into each app and delete any downloaded content you have already watched or listened to.

Update Your Existing Apps

Before you update the entire operating system, make sure your apps are ready for the change. App developers work hard to update their software to be compatible with new iOS versions. Updating your apps beforehand ensures they will run smoothly and take advantage of any new features in iOS 26. Running old apps on a new operating system can sometimes cause them to crash or behave strangely.

To update your apps, open the App Store. Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner. This will take you to your account page. Scroll down to the “Available Updates” section. You can either tap “Update All” to update every app at once or scroll through the list and update individual apps one by one. It is a good practice to keep your most-used apps up to date.

Final Checks Before You Install

You have confirmed your device is compatible, backed up your data, cleared out storage, and updated your apps. You are almost ready. Here are a few final checks to ensure the installation goes off without a hitch.

Connect to Wi-Fi

Make sure you are connected to a strong and stable Wi-Fi network. Downloading the update over a cellular connection is possible on some devices but is not recommended. Wi-Fi is generally faster and more reliable, reducing the risk of a corrupted download.

Plug In Your Device

The update process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour and uses a lot of battery. To prevent your device from shutting down in the middle of the installation, plug it into a power source and leave it connected until the update is completely finished.

Set Aside Enough Time

Do not start the update if you need to leave for work or an appointment in the next hour. Find a time when you will not need your device, like in the evening or overnight. The device will be unusable during the installation phase.

How to Install iOS 26 or iPadOS 26

With all preparations complete, you are ready to install the new software. When Apple releases the update to the public on September 15, you can find it by going to the Settings app, tapping General, and then selecting Software Update. Your device will check for the new update, and you will see an option to download and install iOS 26. Tap it, enter your passcode, and agree to the terms and conditions. The download will begin, and your device will automatically restart to install it.

A Note for Beta Testers

If you have been helping Apple test the beta versions of iOS 26, your process is slightly different. The final public version is usually identical to the last beta, known as the Release Candidate (RC). You may already have this installed. Once you have updated to the official final version, you might want to stop receiving future beta updates. To do this, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select “Off.” This will ensure you only receive stable public releases from now on.