Apple’s iOS Adoption Trends Show Steady Growth Despite Slowdown
141Apple has released its latest iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 adoption numbers, providing insight into how many users are updating their devices. While some reports suggested a sharp decline in upgrade rates, Apple’s data indicates a more stable picture. The numbers are based on transactions made on the App Store on February 12, 2026, and show that a majority of recent iPhones and iPads are running the latest OS versions.
Latest Adoption Figures Highlight Consistency
According to Apple, 74% of iPhones introduced in the last four years are now running iOS 26. This is in line with previous trends, where around 66% of all active iPhones are on iOS 26. For iPads, 66% of those introduced in the past four years have the latest iPadOS installed, with overall iPadOS 26 adoption at 57%. These figures suggest a steady rate of update uptake among users with newer devices.
Compared to last year, the adoption rates remain quite similar. About a year ago, roughly 76% of recent iPhones were on iOS 18, and 68% of all iPhones had updated to that version. For iPads, about 63% of recent models ran iPadOS 18, and 53% of all iPads had the same. These numbers show a consistent pattern of gradual upgrades over time.
Year-on-Year Growth and Update Patterns
Apple’s data also reveals that iPadOS adoption has continued to grow annually. The trend indicates that more users are embracing the latest software, even if the pace is slower than in previous years. Looking at older versions, by June 2023, 90% of iPhones introduced since 2019 were running iOS 16. This is slightly higher than the previous year, when 89% of devices from 2019 to 2022 had the latest OS at that time.
Overall, the data suggests that most users eventually upgrade their devices to the latest operating system. Apple’s approach of releasing iterative updates, with major features bundled into larger releases, seems to encourage gradual adoption. Sometimes, a small update or a security patch is enough to motivate users to upgrade, even if they’re hesitant about installing big new versions.
Despite some reports of slower update rates, Apple’s figures show a relatively stable trend. The apparent slowdown might be due to the increasing number of older devices still in use, or users’ changing attitudes towards updates. Apple’s focus on security patches and smaller improvements helps keep devices secure without forcing users to upgrade immediately.
Additionally, Apple’s strategy of teasing out major features over time means that users are likely to see a compelling reason to update during a device’s 12-month lifecycle. Features like Apple Intelligence and Liquid Glass may influence some to upgrade, but these have limited impact compared to social media speculation suggests. Overall, Apple’s data indicates a steady and ongoing adoption of new software versions, even as the pace varies from year to year.
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