Apple launched iOS 26 globally for eligible iPhone models in September 2025 following its debut at WWDC 2025 featuring the new Liquid Glass design. iPhone 17 Pro Max iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 shipped with iOS 26 pre-installed, while older devices were given the option to upgrade. Despite the rollout Apple has seen a lower adoption rate compared to earlier iOS releases, reportedly due to legibility and transparency issues in the Liquid Glass interface.
StatCounter data indicates that only about 15 percent of iPhone users had installed iOS 26 nearly four months after launch, a significant drop from iOS 18 adoption which reached around 63 percent at the same point in January 2025. The low uptake has been attributed to user concerns over UI clarity and various bugs. Following feedback Apple released iOS 26.1 in November 2025 introducing a “clear look” and tinted look option to adjust transparency in UI elements. Subsequent updates like iOS 26.2 further improved customization including opacity controls for the lock screen clock widget, aiming to enhance readability and user experience. The slower adoption underscores the challenges Apple faces in convincing users to upgrade while refining major design changes.