Only 15 to 16 percent of iPhones worldwide are currently running iOS 26, a surprisingly low adoption rate months after its release, according to recent analytics.
iOS 26 Adoption Lags Behind Previous Releases
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A new visual overhaul and continued support for older versions may be contributing to the slower uptake.
- Data from January 2026 shows iOS 26 running on only 15-16% of active iPhones globally.
- Over 60% of iPhones tracked are still operating on iOS 18.
- Adoption rates for iOS 26 are significantly lower than those of iOS 18, 17, and 16 during similar periods.
- The “Liquid Glass” redesign introduced with iOS 26 received mixed reactions.
The latest iPhone operating system, iOS 26, is experiencing a remarkably slow rollout among users. Data published by StatCounter for January 2026 reveals that approximately 15 to 16 percent of active iPhones worldwide are running any version of iOS 26. Specifically, iOS 26.1 accounts for roughly 10.6% of devices, iOS 26.2 for about 4.6%, and the original iOS 26.0 release for around 1.1%.
A Historical Disconnect
This stands in stark contrast to previous iOS releases. StatCounter’s data from January 2025 indicated that around 63% of iPhones were running some version of iOS 18 just four months after its launch. In January 2024, iOS 17 had reached approximately 54% adoption within a comparable timeframe, and iOS 16 exceeded 60% adoption by January 2023.
Based on these figures, iOS 26 adoption appears to be occurring at less than one-quarter of the rate seen with recent predecessors. StatCounter estimates these figures by tracking operating system versions through page impressions across its extensive network of participating websites.
In the first week of January of last year, 89.3% of visitors used a version of iOS 18. This year, during the same period, only 25.7% of readers are running a version of iOS 26. While official numbers from Apple remain unavailable, the data strongly suggests a level of hesitation toward iOS 26 that hasn’t been observed in recent years.
The “Liquid Glass” Factor
iOS 26 notably introduced “Liquid Glass,” a fundamental visual overhaul that replaces traditional opaque interface elements with translucent layers, blurred backgrounds, and dynamic depth effects. The redesign, unveiled at WWDC last year, garnered mixed reviews, potentially contributing to users’ reluctance to upgrade.
Furthermore, Apple’s decision to continue providing security updates for older operating systems, like iOS 18, allows users to remain on those versions without immediately needing to update to avoid security vulnerabilities. This provides a convenient option for those hesitant to embrace the changes in iOS 26.
