Is Liquid Glass Dissuading Users from Upgrading to iOS 26?
Recent reports indicate a stark contrast in the adoption rates of Apple’s iOS 26 update compared to its predecessors. Observations suggest that the latest update is significantly less popular among iPhone users.
Adoption Rates of iOS 26
According to Statcounter, only 16.6 percent of devices are currently operating on various versions of iOS 26. This figure stands in sharp contrast to approximately 70 percent for earlier versions like iOS 18.
- iOS 18.7, released alongside iOS 26.0 in September, has been adopted by almost one-third of all iOS devices.
- This trend has led to speculation that the new Liquid Glass user interface is discouraging users from upgrading.
User Interface Concerns
Reports picked up by various outlets have suggested that iPhone users are avoiding iOS 26 due to the redesigned interface. However, the situation may be more nuanced.
Our analysis of traffic data from Condé Nast websites indicates that while the adoption is slower than iOS 18, iOS 26 is not as poorly received as initially thought. Data comparisons from October to December 2025 showed that roughly 45 percent of pageviews came from devices running iOS 26. This is a notable decline from the 76 percent attributed to iOS 18 during the same period in 2024.
Mitigating Factors
It’s essential to consider that iOS 26 has discontinued support for older models, including the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. In contrast, iOS 18 supported all devices compatible with iOS 17, which likely contributed to its higher adoption rate.
In summary, while the Liquid Glass user interface may influence some users’ hesitance to upgrade, the statistics show a more complex landscape. Adoption rates for iOS 26 might not be as grim as previously reported, highlighting the need for a thorough analysis of user behavior and preferences in relation to software updates.
