Apple usually does a terrific job of retaining its cellular units up to date with new options and safety patches for years. One prime instance of Apple’s spectacular software program replace coverage is the iPhone 5S, which acquired the iOS 12.5.8 replace in January 2026, 13 years after its launch. So, you do not have to fret about your brand-new iPhone turning into out of date in a few years. Surprising safety patches apart, the Cupertino-based tech big is superb with main iOS updates as effectively.
A lot in order that if we search for the oldest iPhone that is getting the newest iOS 26 updates, we have now to go all the way in which again to iPhone 11, which was launched in 2019 and is among the many 26 iPhones getting the iOS 26. It received its newest iOS replace within the type of iOS 26.2.1 with help for AirTag 2 in January 2026. Whereas we’re at it, listed here are a few of the oldest iPhones which are nonetheless getting iOS updates.
Apple’s software program replace coverage for iPhones
Though Apple would not have a hard and fast software program replace coverage for its iPhones, you possibly can normally count on an iPhone to proceed receiving main iOS updates for anyplace from 5 to seven years, whereas safety updates can proceed to be launched for as much as 10 years and even longer, as we noticed within the case of iPhone 5s. Because the launch of iPhone 4S in 2011, not one of the iPhones, apart from iPhone 5c, acquired fewer than 5 main iOS updates, with most getting six main iOS updates. It is vital to understand that as iPhones become old, they do not get all of the options obtainable as a part of a significant iOS replace. For instance, the iPhone 11 missed out on eight key options from iOS 26.
The iPhone 11 often is the oldest iPhone nonetheless receiving iOS characteristic updates, however there are a number of even older iPhones which are getting safety patches and acquired one as just lately as January 2026. We’ve got already talked about iPhone 5s, however iPhone 6 sequence, iPhone 6s sequence, first-gen iPhone SE, iPhone 7 sequence, iPhone 8 sequence, iPhone X, iPhone XS sequence, and iPhone XR additionally received a safety replace in 2026. So, you probably have a brand new or outdated iPhone, Apple is not going to desert you anytime quickly.
