Only a tiny percentage of iPhone users have installed iOS 26, according to data from a web analytics service. The adoption rate is far less than previous iOS versions at this same point months after their releases.
The data only reveals how few iPhone users run Apple’s latest operating system upgrade, not why they’ve chosen to avoid it. But the most likely candidate is the new Liquid Glass look of the update.
iOS 26 adoption remains low as few iPhone users upgrade
Apple makes updating iOS on an iPhone remarkably simple and widely accessible, lowering the barrier for users to stay current with the latest features and security improvements. Updates are delivered directly over the air through the Settings app, requiring only a few taps.
Crucially, Apple rolls out new iOS versions to a broad range of devices simultaneously, often supporting iPhones for many years after their release — far longer than most competitors. This means millions of users can install the same major software upgrade on day one, regardless of carrier or region, helping ensure a more consistent, up-to-date iPhone experience across Apple’s entire ecosystem.
Nevertheless, iOS 26 adoption is extremely low. Roughly four months after launching in mid-September, only about 15% of iPhone users have some version of the new operating system installed. That’s according to data for January 2026 from StatCounter. Instead, most users hold onto previous versions.
For comparison, in January 2025, about 63% of iPhone users had some iOS 18 version installed. So after roughly the same amount of time, the adoption rate of Apple newest OS was about four times higher.
And that’s not a fluke. In January 2024, some iOS 17 version was on 54% of iPhones. A year earlier, the iOS 16 adoption rate was 62%.
The Liquid Glass controversy
It’s not that millions of iPhone users around the world have somehow overlooked the launch of iOS 26 followed by iOS 26.1 and iOS 26.2. They are holding off installing the upgrades because this is Apple’s most controversial new version in many years. The reason: Liquid Glass — a translucent and fluid new interface. Many elements of the UI go semi-transparent, while clever effects make it seem like users are looking through glass at objects shown on the screen behind the Control Center and pop-up windows.
iOS 26 and Liquid Glass have fans. In a recent poll, Cult of Mac users showed strong support for them.
But there are plenty of detractors. Social media is especially full of negative comments.
“It’s been 3 weeks since I reluctantly updated my iPhone iOS, and dislike the new Liquid Glass UI more every day,” writes kaarbona on Threads.
“Finally updated my iPhone to Liquid Glass,” said theseokitchen on Threads. “If you’re ever having imposter syndrome, this update is proof that even professionals at billion-dollar companies make huge mistakes.”
Given the vocal pushback, it’s not surprising that iOS 26 adoption is so low. And it didn’t help that Alan Dye, the Apple VP responsible for Liquid Glass, left the company in the midst of the controversy.
How to stay on iOS 18 forever
Given the low percentage of people who’ve installed the upgrade, it should be clear that Apple does not force iOS 26 on iPhone users. There are occasional posts on social media claiming, “I woke up this morning and my iPhone got iOS 26 all on its own,” but Apple does not do this. Some holdouts go years using obsolete iOS versions, and Apple does nothing.
Those who want to be sure they avoid Liquid Glass have the option to make sure their phone stays on iOS 18. Read our guide on how to stop your iPhone from updating.
Just be aware that iOS updates are how Apple distributes critical security fixes. By staying on iOS 18, you’re not getting these. Maybe just turn off Liquid Glass instead?
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
