Millions of Apple devices expected to get free update next week

Apple users are expecting to receive a free update next week but not every device will make the cut.

The tech giant is launching its new iOS 26.5 in the next few days and millions of devices are set to receive an upgrade.

This comes after weeks of beta testing took place and while this isn’t a huge leap from the previous iOS update, users can expect to see some new features and improvements.

So, which devices will be eligible for the upgrade? A full list can be viewed below:

Only certain iPhones will be eligible for the iOS upgrade (Tim Robberts/Getty Images)

Which iPhones are available for iOS 26.5 update?

iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd generation)
iPhone 11 series
iPhone 12 series
iPhone 13 series
iPhone 14 series
iPhone 15 series
iPhone 16 series
iPhone 16e
iPhone 17 series
iPhone Air
iPhone 17e

The new operating system will come with some new features, including end-to-end encryption for RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Apple Messages app.

This is being added to improve users’ cybersecurity while using their devices.

Other new additions have left Apple fans less thrilled after the company revealed it would be introducing ads to the Apple Maps app.

Apple previously stated this would begin ‘this summer’, initially being introduced to devices in Canada and the US.

There will also be a ‘Suggested Places’ section on the app, with Apple explaining: “Ads on Maps will appear when users search in Maps, and can appear at the top of a user’s search results based on relevance, as well as at the top of a new Suggested Places experience in Maps, which will display recommendations based on what’s trending nearby, the user’s recent searches, and more.”

Apple is launching its new iOS 26.5 in the next few days (Cheng Xin/Getty Images)

In other Apple news, the firm is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 later this year, and it is rumored to include ‘some of the biggest camera hardware upgrades in iPhone history’.

This comes after the news was reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman who…

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