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| Apple's iOS 26 brings massive changes to how iOS looks and feels, thanks to the new Liquid Glass UI. |
Remember the buzz when Apple unveiled iOS 26? The promise of a radical new “Liquid Glass” interface had the tech world talking. Now, months after its public release, the story isn’t about a triumphant rollout, but about a surprising hesitation. The latest adoption figures reveal a significant portion of the iPhone community is voting with their settings, choosing to stay put on older software.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Slow Crawl for Apple’s Latest
The data paints a clear picture. According to the latest iOS version market share data from StatCounter, only about 15.2% of active iPhones are currently running iOS 26. This is more than four months after its general availability—a timeframe where previous updates traditionally saw massive uptake.
For context, this slow adoption is a stark departure from Apple’s norm. As reported by CultOfMac in their analysis of the iOS 26 adoption struggle, the previous version, iOS 18, had soared to an impressive 63% adoption in a similar period. Looking back, iOS 17 and 16 also enjoyed much warmer receptions, hitting 54% and 62% respectively.
What’s Holding Users Back? The “Liquid Glass” Divide
The core of the resistance appears to be iOS 26’s most defining feature: its Liquid Glass aesthetic. Apple’s shift towards extreme translucency, fluid animations, and diffusion effects was a bold design statement. For many, it felt fresh and futuristic. For a sizeable—and seemingly vocal—segment of users, however, it has been criticized as overwhelming, visually busy, and in some cases, less intuitive to navigate.
Apple never forces updates, but it meticulously designs the update process to be effortless, hoping users will migrate to the latest security and feature improvements. The current stats suggest that even this seamless process is struggling against user preference this time around.
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| Apple's iOS 26 barely crosses 15% adoption after 4 months of release, according to data gathered by StatCounter. |
Is There a Middle Ground? Features vs. Feel
It’s not all criticism. iOS 26 introduced several powerful features that were widely praised, including advanced call screening, interactive iMessage polls, new CarPlay functionalities, and more customizability. For those who love the new capabilities but find the aesthetic challenging, there is a key workaround: diving into Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and reducing transparency can significantly tone down the “liquid” effect, offering a more opaque, classic interface.
The Road Ahead
The situation presents an interesting crossroads for Apple. It underscores the delicate balance between innovation and familiarity. While iOS 26 will continue to receive support and updates, the strong performance and extended security support for iOS 18 means loyalists have a stable, familiar home for the foreseeable future.
Whether iOS 26’s adoption rate picks up as users adjust, or whether it remains a polarizing chapter in iOS history, is a story still being written. One thing is clear: in its quest to redefine the iPhone’s look, Apple has learned that even its dedicated user base has a strong opinion on how their glass should feel.
Source for adoption data: StatCounter iOS Version Market Share. Comparison data referenced from CultOfMac.