Apple’s 2025 software updates include iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, and watchOS 26.
But which devices are capable of running these updates? Apple typically supports devices with the latest software for 5+ years, but inevitably some models drop off the compatibility list each year. So here’s a cheat sheet to which kit works with the latest updates in 2025.
iOS 26
Most of the iPhones than could run iOS 18 last year will have no problem with iOS 26 – with a few notable exceptions. If you still use an iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max, you’re out of luck. Those three devices have dropped off the compatibility list this year and will be stuck at iOS 18 for the rest of their lifespan.
Also remember that as before, most of the Apple Intelligence features are only available on certain models – broadly speaking, that’s the iPhone 15 Pro and later.
Here’s the full list of iPhones compatible with iOS 26. We’ve put a lightning bolt next to the AI-ready models.
- iPhone 16e ⚡
- iPhone 16 ⚡
- iPhone 16 Plus ⚡
- iPhone 16 Pro ⚡
- iPhone 16 Pro Max ⚡
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro ⚡
- iPhone 15 Pro Max ⚡
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
iPadOS 26
Only one device is on the chopping block compared to last year’s list. If you own a 7th-gen iPad, sadly you’ll be stuck with iOS 18. Everything else listed below is compatible with iPadOS 26.
Again, we’ve marked the models that work with Apple Intelligence with a lightning bolt.
- iPad Pro (M4) ⚡
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
- iPad Air (M3) ⚡
- iPad Air (M2) ⚡
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
- iPad (8th generation and later)
- iPad mini (A17 Pro) ⚡
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
macOS Tahoe 26
The newest operating system for Mac culls some older machines. Last year’s update worked on some models from 2017, but you’ll need something a minimum of two years newer to run Tahoe. Apple Intelligence compatibility is a bit different for Mac – essentially, if it has Apple silicon (M1 and above) it’s AI-ready. If you’re not sure which Mac you have, see Apple’s identification guide.
- MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
- MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- iMac (2020 and later)
- Mac mini (2020 and later)
- Mac Studio (2022 and later)
- Mac Pro (2019 and later)
watchOS 26
Good news for Apple Watch owners. No models have been cut this year – it’s the exact same compatibility list we published for the previous update!
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
- Apple Watch Series 6 and later
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch Ultra 2