Intro: Why iPhone Support Matters in 2026
Every fall, Apple rolls out a new iOS version alongside its latest iPhone models, introducing fresh features and security enhancements. You might love the excitement of innovation or dread the disruption of change, but either way, whether your phone still receives iOS updates is a key indicator of its lifespan.
When an iPhone stops getting major iOS upgrades, it gradually loses access to new features and app compatibility. That doesn’t mean it becomes useless overnight, though: security patches and third-party app support usually continue for at least a year or two after a device’s final major update.
So if you’re still using the iPhone SE 2nd Gen (2020), you might be wondering how long it can realistically keep up. Released in 2020, is it nearing the end of Apple’s support cycle? Does it run iOS 26? And will it still be a practical phone to carry in 2026? Here’s what you need to know about where this compact classic stands.
Quick Answer: Is the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) Still Supported in 2026?
The iPhone SE 2nd Gen (2020) is still supported by Apple in 2026. It is running the most recent software, iOS 26, but it is unlikely to receive the next major update, typically released in September 2026. While it may not get the newest iOS version, the iPhone SE will continue to receive all security patches and remain compatible with virtually all apps until at least 2027.
- Yes, the iPhone SE 2nd Gen is still supported by Apple in 2026.
- It runs the latest iOS, iOS 26, released in September 2025.
- Estimated final major update will be in September 2026
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Security updates and app compatibility will continue through 2027.
Understanding the Difference: iOS Updates, Security Patches, and App Compatibility
When people ask whether an iPhone is “still supported,” they’re usually talking about more than one thing. Apple’s software lifecycle actually breaks down into three separate layers, and knowing the difference helps you judge how usable your phone will be in the coming years.
Major iOS updates are the big annual releases Apple announces each fall. These bring headline features, design changes, and deeper system upgrades. Once a model stops receiving new iOS versions, it progressively loses access to new security updates and app compatibility. Phones that are one major iOS version behind fall into what we call the Goldilocks zone – not too old, not too new, but just right. These devices don’t get the latest features, but they remain secure and fully compatible with most apps. Typically, this is the ideal spot for users who aren’t chasing cutting-edge updates but still want a phone that works reliably.
Security patches are smaller updates that fix vulnerabilities and protect your data. Apple typically continues pushing these for older iPhones even after they stop getting major iOS releases, which is why a device can still be considered safe to use for some time after falling behind.
App compatibility is controlled mostly by developers rather than Apple itself. As apps evolve, they eventually require newer iOS versions to run. That means a phone might still power on and receive security fixes, but slowly lose access to certain banking, streaming, navigation, or social apps as requirements increase.
Taken together, these three factors paint a clearer picture of how long an iPhone will remain practical ,not just functional, day to day.
How Long Will the iPhone SE 2nd Gen Be Supported?
Predicting iOS support timelines is an imperfect science, since it’s entirely up to Apple when a device will be dropped. That said, Apple’s practices have been fairly consistent for the past decade, so it’s possible to make a solid (but not definite) guess.
While Apple hasn’t made an announcement about which phones will be able to upgrade to the new iOS in September 2026, we estimate that the iPhone SE 2nd Gen won’t make the cut.
Most iPhones receive around 6 to 7 years of iOS support. Along with age, another factor in predicting device support timelines is a phone’s processing chip. Generally (but not always!) one chip is dropped per year and considering the iPhone SE is using the same chip as the iPhone 11 released in 2019, it’s support time will likely be up this fall.
So the iPhone SE 2nd Gen likely won’t be able to upgrade to iOS 27, and will be “stuck” on iOS 26. But that doesn’t mean your phone will be ready for the trash. You’ll still receive security updates from Apple for at least another year or two. Crucially, almost all apps should continue to function during that time too
Why Does Apple Stop Supporting Older Phones?
To bring customers the latest features and best performance every year, each new version of iOS demands more computing power. That means older hardware won’t be able to run the software, bringing these devices to the end of their lifespans.
Keeping older iPhones supported also has costs: engineering time, testing efforts and customer service training, among others. Economically, there’s a limit to how many models Apple can continue to support at once.
For these reasons, Apple usually drops support for one generation of iPhones per year.
Should You Upgrade in 2026 If You Have an iPhone SE 2nd Gen?
Short answer no. If you have an iPhone SE 2nd Gen in 2026 you will still be able to run almost all apps and receive security updates for another year. Whether you need to upgrade depends less on Apple’s policies—and more on how you actually use your phone day to day.
Here’s a simple way to think about it.
Who can probably keep it
If your phone habits are pretty light, the SE 2nd Gen will still be doing the job just fine.
Casual users
If you mainly scroll social media, send messages, stream music, and browse the web, an older iPhone can remain perfectly serviceable—especially if your favorite apps still run smoothly.
Do you need your iPhone SE to work with a specific app? Try our App Compatibility Checker. It’s a super helpful little tool that tells you what iOS version you’ll need for over 400 popular apps, and recommends compatible iPhones.
Call/text users
For people who treat their phone primarily as, well, a phone, support status matters far less. Calls, SMS, FaceTime, and basic apps usually keep working long after major iOS updates stop.
Backup phone owners
If the SE 2 is your spare device, travel phone, or emergency backup, there’s little urgency to replace it—assuming it still turns on and holds a charge.
Recycling or Selling an Older iPhone SE
Ready for an upgrade? If your old iPhone still works, don’t toss it – it can still be useful to someone else. Unsupported models can serve a purpose for app developers, users who just want to call and text, or even film productions.
You can sell your phone through marketplaces like Craigslist or Kijiji – or sell it to Orchard for the safest and easiest process, plus a higher trade-in value than Apple!
Even if your phone is too broken to sell, Orchard will help you recycle it (and even pay you for some models!), ensuring we keep the planet healthy and don’t contribute to e-waste.
