- Apple has started encouraging iOS 18 users to upgrade to iOS 26
- Many people are reluctant for various reasons
- Fortunately, most of these problems are temporary or can be fixed.
It’s usually a good idea to upgrade your iPhone to the most recent version of the operating system, because this way you’ll get all the latest features and security fixes as soon 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 wary for several key reasons.
People started noticing Apple’s new upgrade message over the past few days. Found in the Settings app, Apple’s memo recommends iOS 26 for the new features it brings, including the Liquid Glass redesign, Apple Intelligence, the call screening feature in the Phone app, and more.
If you’re an iOS 18 user, the iOS 26 notice is now at the top of the Software Update page, with iOS 18 updates (if available) located below. This is a change from the previous order, where iOS 26 was positioned below iOS 18 in the list of updates, and it suggests that Apple is trying to push users even further towards iOS 26.
Still, not everyone likes iOS 26, and we see a few main reasons given.
Why some users are hesitant to upgrade
Apple’s decision to advertise iOS 26 more prominently suggests that many users have so far refused to upgrade. Checking social media, one of the most notable complaints is about the battery life in iOS 26, which many people say seems worse than in iOS 18.
Lack of storage is another motivation, as downloading and installing a new version of iOS requires a lot of space on your iPhone. For iOS 26, storage requirements can range from 5GB to 15GB. If you don’t have enough available, you’ll either need to do a cleanup or stick with iOS 18 until you do.
And there’s another issue that many people have cited as a reason to ignore iOS 26: Liquid Glass. Apple’s glassy interface redesign has divided Apple fans, with dozens complaining about its readability issues and design. 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 upgrade?
Although many of these complaints are valid, it is important to note that they will not affect everyone in the same way. Liquid Glass’s 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 battery issues related to updating your iPhone are temporary (and have been around for years, not just in iOS 26). When you upgrade your iPhone, the new operating system should index all your files. This requires extra work from the Apple silicon chip, which drains your battery faster. Once indexing is complete, your battery usage should return to normal in the majority of cases. But if you still have problems, you can try other tricks.
Storage space, meanwhile, can be freed up in several ways, from deleting large apps you no longer use to moving files to one of the best cloud storage services. Apple also suggests that you can update iOS by connecting your iPhone to a Mac using 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 up to date and securely patched against vulnerabilities. There’s no doubt that iOS 26 has attracted its fair share of criticism, but its quirks – temporary as they may be – are worth what you get in return.
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