Popular iPhones will miss out on free Apple upgrade tomorrow - full list confirmed

After months of waiting, iOS 26 will finally be pushed out to millions of iPhones tomorrow night. This blockbuster release was first announced all the way back in June at Apple's WWDC Developers Conference. Now it's ready for the masses with Apple confirming iOS 26 will be available from September 15.

This software upgrade comes packed with features, including a new Liquid Glass look, a refreshed Lock Screen with a clock that adapts to the available space on the display and Spatial scenes that bring wallpapers to life thanks to a clever 3D effect.

iOS 26 will also block spam calls, translate foreign languages in real time and offer improvements to Messages, Photos, Maps and more.

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It's a nice update that will be totally free to download. Sadly, not everyone using current iOS 18 operating system on thier iPhones will be able to upgrade.

Every so often, Apple has to end support for older devices as they simply can't keep pace with the power needed to run the latest iOS version.

So, if you own one of the devices below, you are going to miss out.

iPhone XS • iPhone XS Max • iPhone XR

To get iOS 26 you will need to upgrade to something newer. Here is the full list of iPhones compatible with iOS 26.

iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max • iPhone 16 Plus • iPhone 16 • iPhone 16e iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max • iPhone 15 Plus • iPhone 15 • 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 and later).

Once iOS 26 becomes available - which we predict will be around 6pm BST - you'll find it in the Settings menu.

It's likely to be a very big download, so you'll want to be near Wi-Fi before starting the process. It's also worth noting that install times can be worse on launch night as everyone will be trying to get it at the same time.

If you can wait, you might find things are faster later in the week.