According to 9to5Mac, Apple has now started recommending iOS 26.1 as the default software update for iPhone users still on iOS 18, a shift from its policy since the September launch. When iOS 26 and iOS 18.7 released on the same day in September, the Software Update screen in Settings prominently featured iOS 18.7, with iOS 26 listed as a secondary, alternative option. This behavior continued after the releases of iOS 26.1 and iOS 18.7.2 last month. Now, the screen prominently features iOS 26.1, demoting iOS 18.7.2 to the ‘alternate version’ status. This change comes just a couple of weeks ahead of the expected launch of iOS 26.2 and before Apple’s corporate holiday break. For users with automatic updates enabled, this means their iPhone could update to iOS 26.1 and its new Liquid Glass design without any manual intervention.
The slow rollout strategy
Here’s the thing: Apple‘s cautious, staged rollout of major iOS versions is a relatively new playbook. It used to be that a new number like iOS 26 would immediately be the big, shiny button you’d see in Settings. But in recent years, they’ve clearly decided that letting a new OS bake a little longer, while still providing critical security patches via the previous version (like iOS 18.7), is the smarter move. It’s basically a way to let the eager early adopters find the bugs before pushing it to the entire, massive iPhone user base. So this promotion of iOS 26.1 to “default” status is a significant milestone. It’s Apple’s way of saying, “Okay, we’re confident enough in this now that we want most people on it.”
Why the change now?
The timing is interesting. With iOS 26.2 reportedly launching in the next couple of weeks, why make 26.1 the default *now*? I think the article’s speculation is probably right. They want a larger pool of users on the new architecture before the holidays. Why? Because if there are any lingering issues with the Liquid Glass design or app compatibility, Apple’s support teams are still fully staffed and can handle the influx. The last thing they want is a wave of confused support tickets hitting when half the company is on vacation. It’s a pragmatic, operational decision as much as a technical one.
What it means for you
If you’ve been happily scrolling past that small “Other Update” banner for months, your time is up. Your iPhone is now going to gently, or not so gently, nudge you toward iOS 26. The train is leaving the station. For most users, this is fine—the .1 update usually irons out the worst of a major release’s kinks. But if you have mission-critical apps or just a deep-seated aversion to change, you’ll need to be more deliberate about seeking out and selecting the older iOS 18.7.2 update. The era of Apple quietly letting you stay behind on the previous major version is officially over. Are you ready for Liquid Glass?
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