Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the adoption rate of Apple’s iOS 26, released in . While some analyses based on web traffic data suggest adoption below 20%, app-based analytics indicate that the operating system is running on approximately 55-60% of active iPhones as of early . This disparity primarily stems from differences in data collection methodologies.
Four months after its launch, the adoption of iOS 26 is being assessed through varying lenses. Data from StatCounter, which tracks global web traffic, suggests that only around 15-18% of iPhones are currently running iOS 26. This breakdown includes approximately 10.6% on iOS 26.1, 4.6% on iOS 26.2, and 1.1% on the initial 26.0 release as of .
According to StatCounter, more than 60% of devices appear to remain on iOS 18, primarily versions 18.6 and 18.7.In contrast, app-based analytics provider TelemetryDeck presents a different picture. Its data, which collects anonymized usage information directly from apps, indicates that iOS 26 adoption reached approximately 55-60% by the end of and has maintained this range into early . TelemetryDeck’s figures show iOS 18’s share falling to roughly 37-40%.
The significant gap in reported adoption rates is attributed to the distinct methodologies employed by the tracking services. StatCounter’s web-based approach, which estimates OS usage based on global web traffic and browser user-agent strings, can be influenced by factors such as Safari reporting older version identifiers on newer builds, uneven regional traffic, and shifts in browsing behavior.
Conversely, TelemetryDeck’s app-based telemetry is designed to provide a clearer representation of active device usage across daily scenarios. According to ZDNET, StatCounter may miss users who have updated to iOS 26 but mostly use apps instead of browsing the web. At the same time, people on older iOS versions may still spend a lot of time in Safari rather than apps for everyday tasks.
This difference highlights the complexities in accurately measuring mobile OS adoption, with each method potentially introducing its own biases.
The primary reason for the conflicting adoption figures is the reliance on different data collection techniques. Historical context from TelemetryDeck suggests that iOS 26’s adoption rate of 55-60% aligns with Apple’s typical upgrade curves for previous iOS versions, such as iOS 18 which saw 60-63% adoption four months post-launch, and iOS 17 at 50-54% in a similar timeframe. The source notes that Apple has not yet released official adoption statistics for iOS 26. Updates like iOS 26.2, released in , and the anticipated iOS 26.3, may further influence adoption, particularly if they address any initial performance concerns related to the new Liquid Glass
design.
Apple has not yet released official adoption statistics for iOS 26. The company typically provides these figures later via its developer support pages.
Further point updates, such as the expected iOS 26.3, could continue to drive adoption rates higher, especially if they resolve early bugs or performance issues associated with the Liquid Glass
design. Apple often releases official adoption data after several months, offering a comprehensive view to developers. The continuous release of updates aims to enhance the user experience and address technical considerations.
Users considering updating their devices to iOS 26 should review the new features, which include enhancements like systemwide AutoFill for credit cards and improvements to Apple Maps. It is advisable to ensure device compatibility before updating, as iOS 26 requires an Apple A13 Bionic chip or newer. Users should back up their devices before initiating any major software update. Checking for official announcements from Apple regarding performance and stability is also recommended.
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