iOS 26 is showing unusually slow adoption among iPhone users months after release, according to third-party analytics.


Usage data published by StatCounter (via Cult of Mac) for January 2026 indicates that only around 15 to 16% of active iPhones worldwide are running any version of ‌iOS 26‌. The breakdown shows iOS 26.1 accounting for approximately 10.6% of devices, iOS 26.2 for about 4.6%, and the original iOS 26.0 release at roughly 1.1%. In contrast, more than 60% of iPhones tracked by StatCounter remain on iOS 18, with iOS 18.7 and iOS 18.6 alone representing a majority of active devices.

Historical comparisons highlight how atypical this adoption curve appears. StatCounter data from January 2025 shows that roughly 63% of iPhones were running some version of iOS 18 about four months after its release. In January 2024, iOS 17 had reached approximately 54% adoption over a similar timeframe, while iOS 16 surpassed 60% adoption by January 2023.

Based on those figures, ‌iOS 26‌ adoption appears to be running at less than one-quarter of the rate achieved by recent predecessors during the same post-release window. StatCounter derives its estimates from web traffic analytics, tracking operating system versions via page impressions across its global network of participating websites.

In the first week of January last year, 89.3% of MacRumors visitors used a version of iOS 18. This year, during the same time period, only 25.7% of MacRumors readers are running a version of ‌iOS 26‌. In the absence of official numbers from Apple, the true adoption rate remains unknown, but the data suggests a level of hesitation toward ‌iOS 26‌ that has not been seen in recent years.

Unlike many previous releases, ‌iOS 26‌ introduces Liquid Glass as a fundamental visual overhaul, replacing large portions of the traditional opaque interface with translucent layers, blurred backgrounds, and dynamic depth effects across system elements. Upon its announcement at WWDC last year, the redesign received mixed reviews, which could be a contributing factor to hesitation around upgrading.

Likewise, Apple now continues to support older operating systems with security updates, allowing users to remain on iOS 18 without immediate pressure to update or forfeit critical patches. This makes it much easier for users to remain on older software.
This article, "iOS 26 Shows Unusually Slow Adoption Months After Release" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Satechi CubeDock combines Thunderbolt 5, integrated NVMe SSD, high-wattage charging, and multiple ports into a compact desktop hub.

Satechi CubeDock combines Thunderbolt 5, integrated NVMe SSD, high-wattage charging, and multiple ports into a compact desktop hub.

Lego turned the Sphere into a brick-built Death Star, and I got to fly the iconic Star Wars trench run across its massive exterior screen from a life-size, partially brick-built X-Wing parked nearby

Lego turned the Sphere into a brick-built Death Star, and I got to fly the iconic Star Wars trench run across its massive exterior screen from a life-size, partially brick-built X-Wing parked nearby

Infinity Cube consolidates multiple Omnia AI supercomputers into a 14ft liquid-cooled cube with extreme GPU, CPU, and memory density.

Infinity Cube consolidates multiple Omnia AI supercomputers into a 14ft liquid-cooled cube with extreme GPU, CPU, and memory density.

Apple CEO Tim Cook earned $74.3 million in 2025, down slightly from $74.6 million in 2024, Apple said in its annual proxy filing released today.


Cook's earnings included a $3 million base salary that has remained the same since 2016, $57.5 million in stock awards, $12 million in performance-based cash awards, and $1.76 million in other compensation, such as 401(k) contributions, life insurance premiums, vacation cash-out, security expenses, and personal air travel expenses. For efficiency and security purposes, Cook is required by Apple to use private aircraft for both business and personal travel.

Apple set a target compensation of $59 million for Cook, the same as in 2024, but Cook earned above that level through the incentive payouts that executives receive when Apple performs well.

Other key senior Apple executives, including outgoing general counsel Kate Adams, chief operating officer Sabih Khan, and retail and people chief Deirdre O'Brien each earned total compensation packages of around $27 million in 2025. Apple saw a chief financial officer transition in 2025, with former CFO Luca Maestri earning $15.5 million in 2025 and new CFO Kevan Parekh earning $22.5 million.
This article, "Apple CEO Tim Cook Earned $74.3 Million in 2025" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Want to watch A Thousand Blows from anywhere? Stream every brutal showdown as Hezekiah navigates the fight to survive London’s bare-knuckle underworld.

Want to watch A Thousand Blows from anywhere? Stream every brutal showdown as Hezekiah navigates the fight to survive London’s bare-knuckle underworld.

Apple's 2026 shareholders meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 24, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time, according to an SEC filing that was released today.


Apple shareholders of record as of January 2, 2026, can attend, vote, and submit questions during the meeting by logging in to Apple's virtual meeting website 15 minutes before it kicks off. A control number included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that's provided to shareholders is required to join.

At the meeting, shareholders will vote to re-elect the company's board of directors, approve executive compensation, and ratify Ernst & Young LLP as Apple's public accounting firm. There will also be votes on shareholder proposals.

Notably, both board chairman Art Levinson (age 75) and board member Ron Sugar (age 77) are up for re-election, despite a company guideline stating that directors may generally not stand for re-election once they have reached the age of 75. Apple provided the following justification in its proxy statement:

Over the past four years, the Board has added three new members, representing over one-third of its membership, and two other, long-serving members retired. In the context of this year’s Annual Meeting nominations, the Board determined that it would be in the best interests of Apple and its shareholders to ask Art Levinson, the Chair of the Board, and Ron Sugar, the Chair of the Audit Committee, to stand for re-election, and to waive for each of them its guideline under which directors generally may not stand for re-election after attaining age 75. In making this determination, the Board considered several factors, including the significant experience and expertise that each of Dr. Levinson and Dr. Sugar brings to the Board, their deep insight into the Company’s business and operations, and their individual contributions as highly engaged members of the Board. The Board also considered the benefits of continuity among the Board’s leadership positions.

Levinson's re-nomination as chairman is notable due to recent speculation around Tim Cook's potential retirement as Apple CEO, a move that would likely see him shift into the board chairman position. It is possible that Levinson's continuation in the role beyond age 75 is intended to also serve as bridge to such time that Cook is ready to assume the chairman role, rather than selecting a new chairman for only a relatively brief time until Cook steps down as CEO.
This article, "Apple's Annual Shareholders Meeting Will Take Place on February 24" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Dell’s 52-inch UltraSharp monitor offers four virtual desktops, a wide IPS Black panel, extensive ports, and ergonomic adjustments, but lacks true 6K resolution.

Dell’s 52-inch UltraSharp monitor offers four virtual desktops, a wide IPS Black panel, extensive ports, and ergonomic adjustments, but lacks true 6K resolution.

2026 could see 32GB DDR5 memory costing $500 as analysts warn of steep DRAM price rises driven by server demand.

2026 could see 32GB DDR5 memory costing $500 as analysts warn of steep DRAM price rises driven by server demand.

A human mistake resulted in a major data leak in late September 2025.

A human mistake resulted in a major data leak in late September 2025.

We got 20-26 vision at CES this year thanks to the five best smart glasses announced at the show

Demand for the iPhone 4 is up almost 1,000%, but using such an old handset comes with a few cyber security caveats

Vantrue's Pilot 2 claims to be the world's first system with integrated thermal imaging.