iOS 26 adoption trails iOS 18 as Apple shares updated iPhone and iPad numbers

iOS 26

• 74 percent of recent iPhones now run iOS 26
• iOS 26 adoption is slower than iOS 18 after adjusting for timing
• Most active devices run latest Apple software despite slow adoption

Did our AI summary help?

Apple has shared updated adoption figures for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, offering a clearer picture of how quickly users have moved to the company’s latest software.

The data is based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on February 12, 2026. According to Apple, 74 percent of iPhones introduced in the past four years are now running iOS 26, while 66 percent of all active iPhones have updated. On the tablet side, 66 percent of iPads launched in the last four years are running iPadOS 26, with overall iPad adoption standing at 57 percent.

On the surface, those figures look broadly similar to the adoption rates Apple shared for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 last year. However, the comparison is slightly misleading. Apple released the iOS 26 adoption data roughly 150 days after the update became publicly available, compared to around 127 days for iOS 18. That extra three-week window makes the newer software’s uptake look closer than it really is.

When adjusted for timing, it becomes clear that iOS 26 adoption has been slower than iOS 18, though not dramatically so. Earlier unofficial estimates had suggested a much sharper slowdown, but Apple’s own data paints a more moderate picture. The reasons behind the softer pace are not fully clear, though anecdotal feedback suggests some users are holding back due to the new Liquid Glass design language.

iPadOS 26 tells a similar story. While its headline numbers are higher than iPadOS 18, the longer availability period again plays a role. Without that extra time, adoption would likely be closer to last year’s levels.

Overall, the figures show that Apple’s software ecosystem remains healthy, with a majority of active devices on the latest releases. Still, the slower curve for iOS 26 suggests that design changes and user sentiment can have a measurable impact, even in Apple’s typically fast-moving update cycle.