Apple is getting ready to roll out iOS 27, its next major software update for the iPhone.
And this year, there’s good news for anyone wondering whether their iPhone will make the cut: every iPhone that supports iOS 26 will also support iOS 27, meaning the iPhone 11 and all newer models will be compatible!
If you’re an iPhone owner and you’re wondering what that means for you, you’re not alone.
Here’s a simple breakdown to clear things up.
What are iOS upgrades and why do they matter?
Every year, Apple rolls out a major update to the software that powers your iPhone. Each release comes with a new number — iOS 17, iOS 18, iOS 26, and now iOS 27.
Last year, Apple made a big change to its naming convention, jumping from iOS 18 to iOS 26. The idea was to sync the version number with the year and create more consistent naming across the software that powers the iPhone, iPad, Mac and other Apple devices.
These major releases contain new features designed to make your phone easier and more enjoyable to use. They also give app developers new functionality that they can use to make their apps more capable.
Between major releases, Apple also rolls out a series of minor updates (i.e. iOS 26.1, iOS 26.2, etc.), which add smaller features, fix bugs and patch newly discovered security vulnerabilities.
Will my phone get iOS 27?
If your iPhone can run iOS 26, the answer is simple: yes.
Apple isn't dropping support for any of the iPhones that received iOS 26, meaning the iPhone 11 series, iPhone SE 2nd Gen and every newer compatible model will be eligible for iOS 27.
That means no iPhone is entering the Goldilocks Zone this year.
This is relatively unusual. As major iOS upgrades become more demanding, Apple periodically removes older generations of iPhones from its compatibility list.
For iOS 26, for example, Apple dropped support for the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, leaving those devices on iOS 18.
With iOS 27, however, the compatibility line isn't moving.
So if you upgraded to iOS 26, you can expect to get another year of major software support with iOS 27.
I own an iPhone 11 or iPhone SE 2nd Gen – what does this mean for me?
This is particularly good news if you own one of the oldest iPhones currently supported by Apple.
The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and second-generation iPhone SE all made the cut for iOS 26 — and they'll make the cut again for iOS 27.
That means you'll continue to receive Apple's latest major operating system rather than being left one generation behind.
You'll also remain in the best possible position when it comes to the two things we care about most: app compatibility and security.
App compatibility refers to whether developers still support the version of iOS running on your phone. Many large app developers support the current iOS version as well as one or more previous releases.
Because you'll be able to install iOS 27, app compatibility shouldn't be a major concern for at least the next 2 years.
If you're wondering about a specific app, make sure to check out our App Compatibility Checker. It will tell you which operating system the app requires, which phones can run it, and for how long!
Security is the other major consideration. Running Apple's latest major operating system puts your phone in the strongest position to receive the company's latest security patches and fixes.
So if you own an iPhone 11 series device or iPhone SE 2nd Gen, there's no need to upgrade your phone just because iOS 27 is arriving. Your device is still receiving Apple's latest major software.
I own an iPhone XR, iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max – what does this mean for me?
These phones are now entering a more complicated stage of their lives.
The iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max were dropped from Apple's compatibility list with iOS 26, leaving them on iOS 18.
When iOS 26 arrived, we described these phones as being in the Goldilocks Zone: one major supported generation behind the latest release, but still in relatively good shape when it came to app compatibility and security.
The arrival of iOS 27 changes that equation.
These devices are now further removed from Apple's current operating system, which means app compatibility will increasingly become something owners need to pay attention to.
App developers don't all drop support for older versions of iOS at the same time. Some developers support several generations of iOS, while others move much more quickly.
Over time, however, more apps will introduce minimum operating-system requirements that these phones can't meet.
That doesn't mean your apps will suddenly stop working the day iOS 27 arrives. Existing versions of many apps may continue working for quite some time. But you're increasingly likely to encounter apps or updates that require a newer version of iOS.
If there's an app you absolutely can't live without, use our App Compatibility Checker to see which iOS versions it supports and which iPhones can run it.
Security also becomes a bigger consideration as a phone gets further away from Apple's current operating system. Apple sometimes releases security fixes for older versions of iOS, but owners of older devices shouldn't assume they'll receive every security improvement available to phones running the latest version.
For these reasons, iPhone XR, XS and XS Max owners should start thinking about upgrading — particularly if they rely on their phone for several more years.
To know exactly which apps won't be compatible with your iOS or older refer to our compatibility by iOS articles:
- Apps incompatible with iOS 12
- Apps incompatible with iOS 13
- Apps incompatible with iOS 14
- Apps incompatible with iOS 15
- Apps incompatible with iOS 16
- Apps incompatible with iOS 17
If you'd like to compare different iPhone — or even Android — models side by side, we've built a nifty comparison tool with all the important info!
The bottom line
This year's compatibility story is refreshingly simple.
If your iPhone supports iOS 26, it supports iOS 27.
That means owners of an iPhone 11, iPhone SE 2nd Gen or newer compatible model don't need to worry about being dropped from Apple's latest major software release this year.
For owners of the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max and older models, however, the situation is becoming more pressing. Those phones remain on iOS 18 and are now further removed from Apple's current software, making app compatibility and security increasingly important considerations.
