Fewer iPhone users are updating to iOS 26 than they did with iOS 18
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
The iOS 26 update has the second-worst adoption rate of all iOS releases since 2015, with 79% of all devices currently running the software. This is lower than the 82% adoption rate of iOS 18 in June 2025. According to Apple's App Store data, 86% of devices introduced in the last four years have iOS 26 installed. The adoption rate is below the 82.3% average from 2015 through 2026. However, more users have upgraded to iOS 26 in the last couple of months, with 66% running the software in February 2026. The exact adoption rates for iOS 8 through iOS 26 are provided, showing a decline in adoption rates for iOS 26.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Slower adoption rates may indicate user dissatisfaction with iOS 26's features, such as its Liquid Glass design language.
- · Improved performance in iOS 27 could boost adoption rates, as it addresses user concerns with speed and efficiency.