I tried iOS 26 on my iPhone 13 and I noticed a performance drop so I went back to iOS 18. By that time Apple stopped signing iPad 26. Now I don't want to take the chance. I've learned from iOS 7 that whenever there's a major design change it is best to get newer hardware that can handle future upgrades..
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Waiting for the third setting for Liquid Glass...
Clear
Tinted
Off
I never update for the sake of updating; there has to be a compelling reason.
At present, visual acuity is a compelling reason not to update.
Clear
Tinted
Off
I never update for the sake of updating; there has to be a compelling reason.
At present, visual acuity is a compelling reason not to update.
For nearly 10 years I updated immediately every time.
Every time I read something from people that they don’t upgrade because of some bullish reason I can merely laugh.
Every update brings nice, fresh things and I enjoy that. Haven’t found a single bug in years in everything I ever did.
Interesting, and as I suspected. New OS’s are usually larger and more demanding of the hardware. While you CAN put a new OS on older hardware, there will likely be a performance hit to do so given what the old hardware now has to manipulate to perform even the same tasks as on a previous OS. My two iPhone13minis both are working well under v18.7.1 and I’m afraid of the negative impacts of v26 to performance.
Well, that, and the long list of issues others herein have noted.
And then there’s nothing I’ve learned sufficiently compelling about v26 to even bother with it. Maybe on my next iPhone, the iPhone23mini (PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT…watch this space…or not).
Reports of disconnections and bugs with CarPlay. Dealbreaker.
That’s quite true, but even the very latest devices, I now have a 17PM and an M5 iPad Pro, are not spared the multiple issues. About the only significant issue I’ve been spared by having recent devices are battery related ones. But everything else can hit pretty hard. The initial beta release of 26.1 brought a host of new issues to my ipad. I do not put betas on my phones, as I learned that lesson years ago, so it’s still on 26.0.1, and has few significant issues. The RC of 26.1 cleared up many of the issues present on my ipad, but there are still significant and obvious ones. At this point I don’t expect the majority of these to be resolved until we’re approaching ios 27. I remember how bad ios 11 was on my brand new iphone and only a few months old iPad Pro. The very first issue was a blurry screen on both. And, on the iphone, launching the camera just brought up a black screen that couldn’t be used for anything, on a device that had been touted for its fantastic new camera functions! Fortunately an update was released within a few days that cleared that and the blurry screen up at least. These versions of 26 are so bug ridden that it will take ios 27 to finally clear most of this up. (And of course, new devices)
I'm just waiting for the 26.1 to arrive before I update my daily driver, might even wait till 26.1.1, that's when they most likely will stop supporting devices that can be updates to 26.
Now, I have been using 26 since on my workphone and a few test devices without any issues.
Will be interesting to see how well it will work in docked mode and when using it more "desktop" style with 26.1.
Now, I have been using 26 since on my workphone and a few test devices without any issues.
Will be interesting to see how well it will work in docked mode and when using it more "desktop" style with 26.1.
I am with you, I upgrade as soon as the updates are available. I have had 0 issues and look forward to the new features and the learning that goes with the upgrade. I find it interesting how those who say they have all these bugs, never seem to say what the are.
I always update immediately when final releases are available. But, I’ve never met anyone with any electronic device that didn’t have bugs. Perhaps because of the major changes in 26, it has more than the normal amount of such issues. They eventually settle out close to the time the next release is on the horizon. Just the nature of being an early adopter.
my advice for everyone who is terrified of installing iOS 26 on their main iPhone - because it may ruin it, just buy a "thrashed" (fair condition) used iPhone on Swappa thats the same model you've got or an older model, (to save money) and use that as your iOS 26 guinea pig
I don't like Liquid Glass. All of the effects are unnecessary and distracting.
I installed the public beta on my M2 iPad Air back in July but quickly reverted.
I updated my iPhone the first day iOS 26 was released because I wanted to try the call screening (as well as give the OS a chance). Unfortunately, I waited too long to downgrade and Apple stopped signing iOS 18. Big mistake (but I do like the call screening, when it works).
I'll keep my MacBook on Sequoia until it stops receiving security updates.
Not sure about my iPad; I guess we'll see. Right now it's staying on iOS 18.
I installed the public beta on my M2 iPad Air back in July but quickly reverted.
I updated my iPhone the first day iOS 26 was released because I wanted to try the call screening (as well as give the OS a chance). Unfortunately, I waited too long to downgrade and Apple stopped signing iOS 18. Big mistake (but I do like the call screening, when it works).
I'll keep my MacBook on Sequoia until it stops receiving security updates.
Not sure about my iPad; I guess we'll see. Right now it's staying on iOS 18.
In fairness, you can go back from beta updates, but that’s its own can of worms and I hear ya.
Yes, but I then have to try an unstable version of iOS. The point of trying it is to see whether I can have the same quality I have with the original version of iOS, not just trying it for the sake of trying it.
The optimal test is, say, the last two weeks of August, before the next version of iOS comes out. Obviously, it is way too late by then.
These days, waiting for the .2 release seems to be the prudent thing. Sad that I'm saying that about Apple.
Wish i hadn't upgraded my M1 iPad Pros. They've bogged down A LOT so you're not alone. For the first week or so I was like "oh maybe it's just getting settled down" but... yeah. I was planning to replace in 26-27 anyway but still, it's a major downgrade in terms of response in just one os upgrade.
Since I generally only use it as an e-reader, I took the plunge and updated my iPad mini to 26. It's been okay, although I still can't believe Apple was happy with the level of transparency. Almost half of the numbers on my unlock screen are completely illegible because of the background underneath - of course I can enter my pin based on position alone - but wtf? This is my unlock screen, the first thing I see when I pick up the device.
It also noticeably stutters more during UI animations and scrolling. This is a mini 7, so it really shouldn't be struggling with basic UI stuff. It's had plenty of time to finish up whatever background processing it might have needed after the upgrade, so I think it's there to stay. I'd be pissed if this were my daily driver, but as an e-reader I'll just deal with the minor irritation and hope things get better with the point updates. But the experience has definitely solidified my decision to not upgrade my 15 Pro.
It also noticeably stutters more during UI animations and scrolling. This is a mini 7, so it really shouldn't be struggling with basic UI stuff. It's had plenty of time to finish up whatever background processing it might have needed after the upgrade, so I think it's there to stay. I'd be pissed if this were my daily driver, but as an e-reader I'll just deal with the minor irritation and hope things get better with the point updates. But the experience has definitely solidified my decision to not upgrade my 15 Pro.
I have 26.1 release candidate on my gen9. It’s better than 26.0, but continues to have inconsistent application of Liquid Glass “fog” at the top of Mail, Messages, and Safari, etc. I haven’t seen others mention this, but the text is larger than that of 18, which makes it feel crowded.
BTW, when I bought my mini gen7, it had 18.7. During setup mirroring another iPad, it insisted on upgrading to 26. I backed out, and started over as a new iPad. Then it let me update to 18.7.1. Finally, I reset it, wiping out all my information, and started the mirroring process again. Because it was on the latest version of 18, it didn’t force me to go to 26. I feel like I dodged a bullet.
BTW, when I bought my mini gen7, it had 18.7. During setup mirroring another iPad, it insisted on upgrading to 26. I backed out, and started over as a new iPad. Then it let me update to 18.7.1. Finally, I reset it, wiping out all my information, and started the mirroring process again. Because it was on the latest version of 18, it didn’t force me to go to 26. I feel like I dodged a bullet.
I haven’t upgrade my MacBook Pro (m3 pro) and iPad Pro (m1) the new interface and lack of smooth running ui is why I’ve kept them on iPad os 18.7.1 and macOS 15.7.1. Everything runs smooth and efficiently for my use. My 16pm I only upgraded to iOS 26 due to purchasing an AWU 3 and iOS 26 is required to use it or else it would still be on iOS 18.7.1.
Though I have to say 26.1 is definitely a major step forward over 26.0.1.
Though I have to say 26.1 is definitely a major step forward over 26.0.1.
The latest 18 is stable (enough) and everything works rather well. I’m not interested in any more aggregation in my daily life. IMHO every new major iteration now has more bugginess than the previous major release and it takes longer each year to squash most of them out. And 26 has absolutely zilch new to offer, apart from a divisive candyness. And where is Waldo…I mean Apple Intelligence?
Every .1 release should be their first of a new OS version. Everything before that should be a beta.
26.1 gives me hope that Apple will have conquered the bugs and mistakes of 26 by next summer.
Will not upgrade to 26 until all the bugs are fixed.
I know not every single device or software is 100 percent perfect, but I am even thinking about switching to Android (Pixel) phone...
I'm staying on iOS 18 as long as I can.
I know not every single device or software is 100 percent perfect, but I am even thinking about switching to Android (Pixel) phone...
I'm staying on iOS 18 as long as I can.
Fair enough, but my point is more about complaining about something one has no experience with
Different folks have different appetites for trying something new. My iPad is NOT mission critical, so I don't worry too much about an update not being perfect. The bottom line is, as you point out, Apple only goes in one direction, and my iPad only runs Apple's offerings so either I trust the vendor or I don't. I could worry about every little point, or just accept if I want to use it, I need to just get on with it. I realize thats controversial here, but in over 40 years that philosophy has been easier on my blood pressure and there have been zero problems I couldn't work around. Shrugs.