Apple’s iOS 26 Slower Adoption Compared to iOS 18 and iOS 17

Apple’s iOS 26 Adoption Reaches 74% Among Recent iPhones

As of now, Apple’s iOS 26 has been adopted by approximately 74% of all iPhones released within the last four years. This figure, released 150 days post-launch, shows a modest performance compared to its predecessor, iOS 18, which reached a penetration rate of 76% in the same period last year. Interestingly, the earlier version, iOS 17, also achieved a similar adoption rate during its rollout.

A chart titled 'iOS and iPadOS usage' shows that as of February 12, 2026, 74% of iPhones introduced in the last four years — Statistical overview of iOS 26 adoption

Speculations abound regarding this dip in adoption speed for iOS 26. The new Liquid Glass design language has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding its readability and overall usability, leading some experts to suggest that Apple’s emphasis on aesthetic over functionality may be impacting user adoption.

Enhanced Customization Features in iOS 26

Despite the slower adoption rate, iOS 26 introduces several exciting customization options for users, enhancing the iPhone experience:

A new toggle switch for the Liquid Glass UI.
The ability to disable the swipe-to-open-camera function on the lock screen.
A ‘Slide to Stop’ gesture feature for alarms.
Screen flash notifications for alerts.
Options to adjust the transparency of the lock screen clock.

While these new features aim to improve user experience, whether they will encourage quicker adoption remains to be seen. Apple continues to face the challenge of balancing innovative design with usability.

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