iOS 26 Download and Install [Step-By-Step Guide]

At the 2025 WWDC conference, Apple made a significant change to the naming of iOS. It skipped iOS 19 and jumped directly to iOS 26. This decision not only sparked discussions about the logic behind iOS version numbers but also encouraged users to try it out.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to download and install iOS 26 step by step.

Check if Your iPhone Is Compatible with iOS 26

This step is crucial because iOS 26 drops support for iPhone XR and earlier models. Below are the devices compatible with iOS 26:

• iPhone 17 Series: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPhone 16 Series: iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Series: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14 Series: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Series: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 Series: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11 Series: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE Series: iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

If your iPhone is on this list, you can proceed with the steps to download and install iOS 26.

How to Download and Install iOS 26 in 3 Ways

There are three common ways to download and install iOS 26: using Software Update, BuhoRepair, or Finder/iTunes. Let’s go through each method in detail.

Method 1: Download and Install iOS 26 Using Software Update

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Wait for the system to detect the iOS 26 update. When available, tap Update Now and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you don’t see the iOS 26 update, make sure Beta Updates are turned off, then try again.

Method 2: Download and Install iOS 26 Using BuhoRepair

If Software Update doesn’t work, try BuhoRepair, an iOS system repair tool with upgrade and downgrade features. It’s especially helpful if no official update is available, but you still need to update to a beta version to resolve system issues.

Here’s how:

1. Download, install, and launch BuhoRepair.
   

   

2. Select Upgrade/Downgrade iOS > Upgrade Version.
   

   

3. Connect your iPhone to your computer and trust the connection.
4. Click Upgrade Now.
5. Download the latest firmware for your iPhone, then follow the on-screen steps to update.

👉🏻Related Article: How to Downgrade iOS 26

Method 3: Download and Install iOS 26 Using Finder or iTunes

You can also install iOS 26 using Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows).

Here’s how with Finder:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac with an original USB cable.
2. Open Finder, then click your iPhone in the sidebar. (See what to do if your iPhone doesn’t appear in Finder.)
3. Click Check for Update.
4. When prompted, click Download and Update to start the process.
5. Wait for the update to complete.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we’ve introduced three ways to download and install iOS 26: Software Update, BuhoRepair, and Finder/iTunes. Whichever method you choose, ensure your iPhone is compatible before updating. Most importantly, always back up your data first to avoid potential loss, since iOS 26 may still contain unexpected bugs.