By Philip Michaels
Copyright tomsguide
Skip to main content
Tom’s Guide
Newsletters
View Profile
Search Tom’s Guide
You May Like
iOS 26 is here — how to download the developer beta
iOS 26 is live: Try these 7 features first
iOS 26 public beta LIVE — new iPhone features to try, how to download and latest news
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Over-Ear Headphones
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Connections
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
Operating Systems
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
Home Brands
Popular Brands
View Phones
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
View Network Carriers
Android Phones
View Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
View Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Headphones
View Headphones
Over-Ear Headphones
View Speakers
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
View Entertainment
View Streaming
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
View Gaming
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Word Games
Connections
View Computing
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
View Hardware
View Software
Operating Systems
View Security
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
View VR & AR
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
View Laptops
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
View Desktops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
View Tablets
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
AI Engines
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
View Wellness
Mattresses
View Mattresses
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
View Fitness
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
View Outdoors
Home Brands
Popular Brands
Exclusive Apple Interview
iPhone 17 Pro
Wordle Today
Best laptops
Best Mattress
Don’t miss these
iOS 26 is here — how to download the developer beta
iOS 26 is live: Try these 7 features first
iOS 26 public beta LIVE — new iPhone features to try, how to download and latest news
iOS 26 arrives today — here are the 5 things you need to do to prepare
iOS 26 guide: All the new features for your iPhone and how to use them
iOS 26 is nearly here — These are the 3 features I’m excited to explore more
iOS 26 public beta 2 has just landed — here’s everything that’s changed
iOS 26 public beta 3 has already arrived — here’s what’s new
iOS 26 beta 4 is here — and these are the big changes
I’ve been testing iOS 26 for a month — 5 tips you need to know now that the public beta is here
I just spent my first 48 hours with iOS 26 — here’s what happened
iOS 26 public beta is live — 7 new iPhone features you need to try first
5 must-try iOS 26 features for your iPhone — and how to use them
Smartwatches
Liquid Glass arrives on Apple Watch via watchOS 26 beta — here’s how to unlock it
iOS 26 public beta release date tipped for this week — here’s what we know
How to download iOS 26 — your guide to installing Apple’s latest software update
Philip Michaels
15 September 2025
Follow these steps to upgrade to iOS 26
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
After a summer of beta updates, iOS 26 has landed, bringing a new look and new features to your iPhone. If you’re looking to try out the latest iPhone software for yourself, you’ve come to the right place, as we can walk you through the steps of downloading iOS 26.
But first: should you upgrade to iOS 26? Unlike most annual iOS updates, this one introduces an entirely new interface to go with new features like call screening and live translations as well as updates to Messages, Maps and more. Not everyone will immediately take to Apple’s Liquid Glass interface, and even fans of the changes will need to adapt to the new look.
My iOS 26 preview goes into greater depth on who should and shouldn’t upgrade, but if you don’t mind an iPhone interface that looks very different from the one you’re used to, the features iOS 26 brings to the table make this a worthwhile update.
You may like
iOS 26 is here — how to download the developer beta
iOS 26 is live: Try these 7 features first
iOS 26 public beta LIVE — new iPhone features to try, how to download and latest news
So if you’ve got a compatible phone — iOS 26 requires an iPhone 11 or later — and you’ve backed up your iPhone, here’s what you need to do to download and install iOS 26.
1. Check for the update
(Image: © Future)
Launch the Settings app on your phone. Select General then Software Update.
2. Select the update
(Image: © Future)
You’ll see an iOS 18.7 update, but that’s not the one you want to select. Instead, just below that tap on Upgrade to iOS 26 and on the ensuing screen tap Update Now. You can also tap Update Tonight, and the software will install later this evening.
3. Install the update
(Image: © Future)
You’ll be prompted to enter your passcode and agree to Apple’s terms of service before the download begins. Once the download is complete, you can tap the Install Now button, which will begin the installation process. After your phone restarts, you’ll be prompted to enter your passcode, and then you can start using iOS 26.
iOS 26 is a big update, so you may need to clear up space on your iPhone to get the beta to download which you can do in the iPhone Storage section of the General screen in the Settings app.
There’s plenty to explore once you’ve installed iOS 26 on your phone. I’d start by turning on the call screening feature Apple added with this update and you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the many changes in iOS 26 Messages. Anyone with an Apple Intelligence-ready phone should explore new features like real-time translations and the new Visual Intelligence capability that lets you search using screenshots.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
More from Tom’s Guide
iOS 26’s Liquid Glass design brings big changes to your iPhone — here’s what’s new
iPhone 17 delays — how long will you have to wait if you order today?
iPhone 17 marks the end of the 128GB phone era — here’s why that’s a big deal
Today’s best Apple iPhone 17 deals
No price informationCheck Amazon
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
See more Phones How-Tos
Philip Michaels
Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom’s Guide. He’s been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He’s been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he’s been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
iOS 26 is here — how to download the developer beta
iOS 26 is live: Try these 7 features first
iOS 26 public beta LIVE — new iPhone features to try, how to download and latest news
iOS 26 arrives today — here are the 5 things you need to do to prepare
iOS 26 guide: All the new features for your iPhone and how to use them
iOS 26 is nearly here — These are the 3 features I’m excited to explore more
Latest in iPhones
iOS 26 is live: Try these 7 features first
iOS 26 review: Great new features and a brand new look
iPhone 17 delays — how long will you have to wait if you order today?
iPhone 17 Pro is missing this big rumored feature — and now I think we know why
iOS 26 is nearly here — These are the 3 features I’m excited to explore more
This iPhone 18 rumor may make you want to cave and buy the new iPhone 17 now
Latest in How To
How to download iOS 26 — your guide to installing Apple’s latest software update
How to watch India vs Pakistan at Asia Cup 2025 — it’s *FREE*
Google Maps has secret Easter eggs hiding in plain sight — here’s how to unlock them
I discovered how to unlock ChatGPT-5’s expert mode with this one detailed prompt
How to use ChatGPT to improve your dating profile — 7 prompts to try now
Spotify’s Lossless Listening makes music sound amazing — here’s how to enable it
LATEST ARTICLES
Netflix drops tantalizing teaser trailer for new mystery thriller series reuniting Claire Danes with ‘Homeland’ creator
Windscribe brings anti-fingerprinting to its browser extension to protect you from nasty trackers
iPhone 17 delays — how long will you have to wait if you order today?
I love my AirPods Pro 2 but I won’t be buying the AirPods Pro 3 — here’s why
Canon is bringing back a 2016 camera because Kendall Jenner made it go viral, but here’s the compact I recommend instead
Tom’s Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Accessibility Statement
Advertise with us
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
