- Apple has started encouraging iOS 18 users to upgrade to iOS 26
- Many people are reluctant for a wide variety of reasons.
- Fortunately, most of these problems are temporary or can be fixed.
It’s usually a good idea to update your iPhone to the latest version of the operating system, as that way you’ll get the latest features and security patches as they become available. Apple is trying to get iOS 18 users to do just that and update their devices to iOS 26, but some holdouts are cautious for a few key reasons.
People started noticing Apple’s new update message over the past day. Apple’s memo, found in the Settings app, recommends iOS 26 for the new features it offers, including the Liquid Glass redesign, Apple Intelligence, the call detection feature in the Phone app, and more.
If you’re an iOS 18 user, the iOS 26 notice is now located at the top of the Software Update page, with iOS 18 updates (if available) located below. That’s a change from the previous order, where iOS 26 was positioned below iOS 18 on the update list, and suggests that Apple is trying to push users towards iOS 26 even further.
However, not everyone is interested in iOS 26 and we are seeing a couple of main reasons given.
Why some users resist updating
Apple’s decision to announce iOS 26 more prominently suggests that many users have refused to update until now. When checking social media, one of the most notable complaints concerns battery life on iOS 26, which many people have said is worse than iOS 18.
Lack of storage is another motivation, since downloading and installing a new version of iOS requires a lot of space on your iPhone. For iOS 26, storage requirements can range from 5 GB to 15 GB. If you don’t have enough available, you’ll need to clean up or stick with iOS 18 until you do.
And there’s another issue that many people have cited as a reason to skip iOS 26: Liquid Glass. Apple’s glassy interface overhaul has divided Apple fans, with many complaining about its readability issues and design flourishes. In iOS 26, Liquid Glass is front and center, making it difficult to escape (but not impossible) if you don’t like the new look.
Should you update?
While many of these complaints are valid, it is important to note that they will not affect everyone the same way. The Liquid Glass complaints have been loud and clear, but not everyone hates the redesign, with many people proclaiming their fondness for iOS’s new direction.
Additionally, many of the battery issues related to updating your iPhone are temporary (and have been around for years, not just iOS 26). When you upgrade your iPhone, the new operating system needs to index all of your files. That requires extra work from Apple’s silicon chip, which in turn drains the battery faster. Once indexing is complete, battery usage should return to normal in most cases. But if you’re still having trouble, there are other tips you can try.
Meanwhile, storage space can be freed up in a variety of ways, whether it’s deleting large apps you no longer use or downloading files to one of the best cloud storage services. Apple also suggests that you can update iOS by connecting your iPhone to a Mac via a cable if you need more space for an update.
If you’re still using iOS 18, you may want to consider upgrading to iOS 26 to keep your iPhone updated and securely patched against vulnerabilities. There’s no doubt that iOS 26 has received its fair share of criticism, but its quirks, however temporary, are worth what you get in return.
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