TL;DR
Statcounter data shows roughly 16% of active iPhones are running iOS 26 about four months after its release, while iOS 18 remains on more than 60% of devices. Adoption of iOS 26 is trailing prior major updates at the same point in their rollouts.
What happened
Statcounter’s global tracking of operating system versions indicates that, as of January 2026, iOS 18 remains the dominant release on active iPhones, with multiple 18.x builds accounting for over 60% of use. The breakdown shows iOS 18.7 at 33.8%, iOS 18.6 at 25.2% and iOS 18.5 at 5.6%. By contrast, iOS 26 is present on roughly 16% of devices across its 26.1 (10.6%), 26.2 (4.6%) and 26.0 (1.1%) builds. That share comes about four months after iOS 26 became available. Statcounter’s figures suggest the current pace of adoption is markedly slower than comparable points in prior years: in January 2025 the then-latest iOS 18 already exceeded 60% adoption, and iOS 17 passed the 50% mark around the same stage of its rollout in 2024. Apple itself does not routinely publish detailed OS version adoption numbers, so third-party metrics remain the primary source for this comparison.
Why it matters
- Slower uptake can affect app developers who test and optimize for the most common OS versions, potentially complicating support and feature decisions.
- Large numbers of users staying on older releases may influence how and when Apple issues updates or highlights a version as the recommended install.
- Adoption trends are a proxy for user confidence; a lagging rollout can signal concerns about stability, battery life, or compatibility—issues companies and analysts watch closely.
- Third-party trackers like Statcounter play a key role in gauging software rollout progress because Apple rarely provides frequent, detailed OS usage data.
Key facts
- Statcounter reported iOS 26 is installed on about 16% of active iPhones as of January 2026.
- iOS 26 breakdown in Statcounter’s data: 26.1 at 10.6%, 26.2 at 4.6%, and 26.0 at 1.1%.
- iOS 18 remains installed on over 60% of active iPhones: 18.7 (33.8%), 18.6 (25.2%), 18.5 (5.6%).
- The data reflects a position roughly four months after iOS 26’s public release.
- Statcounter tracks browser, OS version, and search engine usage and is cited as the source for these figures.
- By comparison, Statcounter showed the latest iOS release had crossed the 50–60% adoption mark at a similar point in previous years (iOS 18 in 2025 and iOS 17 in 2024).
- Apple does not frequently publish detailed OS adoption numbers, so these third-party measurements are used for comparisons.
What to watch next
- Future Statcounter updates to see whether iOS 26 adoption accelerates or remains steady.
- Whether Apple will change the Settings prompt to make iOS 26 the 'recommended' update — not confirmed in the source.
- Any official Apple statements or patch notes addressing battery life or other issues raised about iOS 26 — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Statcounter: A third-party analytics service that tracks web usage metrics, including browser and operating system version share.
- iOS: Apple’s mobile operating system that runs on iPhone devices; numbered releases (e.g., iOS 18, iOS 26) denote major updates.
- OS adoption rate: The percentage of active devices running a particular operating system version at a given time.
- Recommended update (Settings): A designation in device settings that highlights a particular software release as the version users should install; availability and timing can affect upgrade rates.
Reader FAQ
How many iPhones are running iOS 26?
Statcounter’s January 2026 dataset indicates about 16% of active iPhones are on iOS 26 across its 26.0–26.2 builds.
Is iOS 18 still the most common version?
Yes. According to Statcounter, iOS 18 builds together account for more than 60% of active iPhones.
Has Apple explained why adoption is slow?
Not confirmed in the source.
Did previous iOS releases see faster early adoption?
Statcounter’s comparative data shows iOS 18 and iOS 17 reached larger shares at similar points in their rollouts than iOS 26 has so far.
Apple confirms Chase takeover for Apple Card and reveals new details Chance Miller Jan 7 2026 IOS 26 STATCOUNTER Most iPhone users are still running iOS 18, with iOS 26…
Sources
- Most iPhone users are still running iOS 18, with iOS 26 adoption slow: report
- Slow performance and lag after iOS 26 update on iPhone
- iOS Versions Market Share in 2026
- 9to5Mac – Apple News & Mac Rumors Breaking All Day
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