Is the iPhone 11 Still Supported in 2026?
Short answer: yes, fully. On 18 October 2026 the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max all run iOS 27, Apple's current version, and got iOS 27.0.1 on 28 September 2026. Apple surprised everyone by not dropping a single iPhone this year. The catch: the iPhone 11 is now the oldest iPhone on the iOS 27 list, so it's the most likely to miss iOS 28 in 2027. Even then, Apple's track record says security fixes would keep coming for a good while after that. Apple doesn't publish end dates, so those last two points are our estimate.
The facts (checked 18 October 2026)
| Announced | 10 September 2019, in stores from 20 September 2019, with iOS 13 and the A13 Bionic chip |
| Major iOS versions it got | iOS 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 26 and 27 (seven upgrades; Apple jumped from 18 to 26 in 2025) |
| Current version | iOS 27 (14 Sep 2026), latest iOS 27.0.1 (28 Sep 2026) |
| Also offered | iOS 26.7.1 (28 Sep 2026), if you prefer to stay on iOS 26 for now |
| Apple Intelligence / Siri AI | Not supported (needs iPhone 15 Pro or newer) |
| Official end-of-support date | None published by Apple |
Apple's How to download iOS 27 page lists the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max and the iPhone SE (2nd generation and later) at the bottom of the compatible list. Apple's security releases page shows iOS 27 (14 September 2026) and iOS 27.0.1 (28 September 2026) for "iPhone 11 and later", and also iOS 26.7.1 on the same day for "iPhone 11 and later". The iOS 27.1 build released on 12 October 2026 is only for the new iPhone Duo foldable, not for other iPhones (MacRumors).
Why didn't iOS 27 drop the iPhone 11?
Apple didn't say. When it announced iOS 27 in June 2026, it simply kept the same requirements as iOS 26 and focused on performance, including a CPU scheduler that was ported back to older iPhones (Ars Technica, Engadget). iPadOS 27 did drop some iPads with the older A12 chip, while iPhones with the A13 (the iPhone 11 family and the iPhone SE 2nd generation) all made the cut.
What the iPhone 11 doesn't get is the AI layer. Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, so an iPhone 11 on iOS 27 gets the core update and security fixes, but not those features (TechRadar).
When will the iPhone 11 stop getting updates?
Apple doesn't announce it, so nobody can give you an exact date. Here's what Apple's own history suggests:
- Major versions: the iPhone XS and XR (2018) were dropped by iOS 26 in 2025, after about seven years. The iPhone 11 (2019) has already reached seven years with iOS 27. Our estimate: iOS 28 in September 2027 is the first version that could leave it out. Apple hasn't said anything about iOS 28 yet.
- Security fixes after that: Apple keeps patching dropped iPhones on their last iOS line. The iPhone 8 and iPhone X lost new versions with iOS 17 in September 2023 and were still getting iOS 16.7.16 on 11 May 2026 (Apple). The XR, dropped in 2025, got iOS 18.7.10 in August 2026. See Is the iPhone XR still supported? and Is the iPhone X still supported?
- Our estimate: full support at least until September 2027, then security-only updates on iOS 27, probably into 2029. That's our reading of the track record, not a promise from Apple.
Should you keep using an iPhone 11?
- Install iOS 27.0.1 now (or iOS 26.7.1 if you're staying on iOS 26): Settings → General → Software Update.
- Keep using it with confidence for now. It's on the current iOS, so banking, payments, DigiD, WhatsApp and work email are fine.
- Watch WWDC in June 2027. That's when Apple will reveal whether iOS 28 still supports it. If it doesn't, you'll still have security fixes for a while, so there's no need to panic-buy.
- Check the battery. On a 2019 phone, the battery is usually the first thing to go. Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging shows its maximum capacity.
Is a used iPhone 11 still worth buying?
Only if it's cheap and you're happy with "a couple of years". You get iOS 27 today, but it's the iPhone most likely to miss the next version. For a little more, an iPhone 13 or iPhone 15 has more years left on the same iOS list. If you're buying one for a child or a parent who just needs WhatsApp and photos, a cheap iPhone 11 with a healthy battery is fine for now.
What to buy instead (refurbished is fine)
| Phone | Status today | What Apple has said |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 | Runs iOS 27 | No published support period; the oldest iPhone on the iOS 27 list |
| iPhone 13 | Runs iOS 27 | No published support period |
| iPhone 15 | Runs iOS 27 | For the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple's UK regulatory filing promises security updates for at least five years from 22 September 2023, so at least until September 2028 (Ars Technica) |
For our estimates on the in-between models, see When does the iPhone 12 stop getting updates?, When does the iPhone 13 stop getting updates? and When does the iPhone SE (2022) stop getting updates?. Check the live status on our iPhone 11 page.
Buying a used replacement?
A cheap used phone can still be a bad deal if it is Activation-Locked, reported stolen, carrier-locked or close to its own end-of-support date. Our own guide, Safe to Buy Used? The Second-Hand Phone & Gadget Checklist, walks you through every check before you pay. It is a paid PDF we make ourselves; checking a model on our device list stays free.
Comparing options? Our guide to which used or refurbished phone to buy in 2026 ranks popular models by years of updates left (the iPhone 11 is on its skip list).
Looking for a phone with more years of updates left? Compare prices for iPhone 13 at bol.com or iPhone 15 at bol.com (search results; check the seller, condition and warranty before you buy).
Affiliate disclosure: bol.com links are affiliate links; we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.
Sources
- Apple, How to download iOS 27 (published 17 Sep 2026, checked 18 Oct 2026)
- Apple, Apple security releases (checked 18 Oct 2026)
- Apple Newsroom, Apple introduces dual-camera iPhone 11 (10 Sep 2019) and iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max (10 Sep 2019)
- Ars Technica, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 don't drop support for any iPhones, and just a few iPads (June 2026)
- Engadget, iOS 27 can run on phones as old as the iPhone 11 (8 Jun 2026)
- TechRadar, Which iPhones support iOS 27 and Siri AI? (checked 18 Oct 2026)
- MacRumors, iPhone Duo will have day-one iOS 27.1 update (13 Oct 2026)
- Ars Technica, Apple will update iPhones for at least 5 years in rare public commitment (6 Jun 2024)
Apple can change its plans at any time. Always check Software Update on your phone and Apple's security releases page for the latest.