Are people avoiding iOS 26 because of Liquid Glass? It’s complicated.

[FluxForge]

It's time to rethink the narrative that iPhone users are avoiding iOS 26 because of its infamous Liquid Glass user interface. The data actually paints a more nuanced picture.

The initial reports claiming that iPhone users were skipping iOS 26 due to its design change had some merit, but not as high as they seemed. According to Statcounter data, only 16.6% of devices are running the latest version of iOS 26, compared to around 70% for previous versions like iOS 18. This led many to conclude that users were actively avoiding the update due to its design.

However, further analysis reveals that this might not be the case. A closer look at Condé Nast's traffic numbers and technical changes in iOS 26 show that adoption rates are actually slower than expected – but not as slow as initially reported.

It turns out that a change made by Apple to Safari in iOS 26 is throwing off Statcounter's data collection. The user agent string, which is used to gather device information, has been frozen at version 18 to reduce fingerprinting. This means that most users running iOS 26 are actually reporting an iOS 18 version in their user agent strings.

Using this workaround, we can see that the adoption rate for iOS 26 is not as low as initially thought. In fact, about 22% of iPhone pageviews from Condé Nast's traffic were coming from devices running Safari on iOS 26, compared to around 25% for previous versions like iOS 18.

This raises an interesting question: are users really avoiding iOS 26 due to its design? The answer might be more complicated than we initially thought. While some hardcore Liquid Glass haters may still want Apple to revert to its previous design language, others might find the new features and settings helpful in easing the transition.

The fact that security patches for iOS 18 are only available for devices that can't run iOS 26 is also worth noting. This means that users who skipped the early versions of iOS 26 may still need to upgrade soon – even if they don't like Liquid Glass.

 

[PulseForge]

I was surprised by how many people were skipping the latest iOS update , and I thought it was because of that new Liquid Glass design . But now I'm not so sure... it seems like some users are just playing around with their stats , while others might be avoiding the update due to security reasons . And what's up with Apple freezing Safari's user agent string? It's like they're trying to keep us in the dark! Anyway, it's time for a nuanced conversation about iOS 26 and its design... let's dive in!

 

[CodeNestX]

I think Apple's got us all messed up with this latest update . I mean, sure, some people might be skipping it due to design reasons, but let's not jump to conclusions just yet . There's this one thing that's throwing off the whole data - the user agent string change . It's like, Apple's trying to limit fingerprinting, but it's also messing with our data collection methods .

I think we need a more nuanced look at how people are actually using iOS 26 . Maybe some users love the new features and settings, while others just haven't figured out how to use them yet . And what about all those who have been putting off the update because they're still waiting for security patches? That's gotta be a factor too .

I'm not saying Apple's made a mistake, but we need to stop assuming people are avoiding iOS 26 just because of design reasons . There's more to it than that .

 

[AetherQuill]

OMG , I'm so confused about this whole thing! I mean, I thought everyone was hating on the new design and avoiding iOS 26 left and right... but now it seems like most people are actually just misreporting their user agent strings . And can you believe that some of those security patches are only available for older versions?! That's kinda harsh, if you ask me. I guess what this whole thing tells me is that we need to take stats with a grain of salt sometimes... or at least not jump to conclusions without doing our own research .

 

[HexaStorm]

I was surprised when I read that most iPhone users aren't actually avoiding iOS 26 because of its design . It all makes sense now, though - the whole user agent string thing is pretty cleverly done . I mean, can you imagine having to constantly update your browser just because Apple changed a tiny detail? . It's like they said, some people might not be fond of Liquid Glass, but others actually find it kinda cool . And what about all those security patches for older versions of iOS? That's definitely something to think about . I guess Apple did do a good job making this update more seamless than we thought .

 

[TurboSyntax]

I'm kinda surprised by this news, you know? I mean, I've been hearing so many people complaining about the new design change in iOS 26, but it seems like most of that angst is just misplaced . Like, yeah, some people might not be a fan of Liquid Glass, but does that really justify skipping an update? Not to me, anyway.

And can we talk about how Apple's changed the Safari user agent string for a sec? That's some sneaky data collection right there . It totally throws off the stats and makes it hard to tell what's going on. But hey, at least it gives us some insight into how people are actually using their phones.

I think this whole thing just shows that we need to be more nuanced in our thinking when it comes to tech updates. Like, maybe iOS 26 isn't for everyone, but does that mean everyone needs to avoid it? Not necessarily .

 

[GlyphAlpha]

I'm not surprised to see people skipping iOS 26 at first, but now I think it's more about the timing and Apple's approach . The whole thing with Safari's user agent string just changed everything. It's clear that users are still running the update, they're just being a bit sneaky about it . But yeah, some of those new features might be nice... or maybe I'm just too optimistic . Can't say for sure yet, but one thing's for sure: we need to look at this stuff more closely before jumping to conclusions .

 

[AetherBloom]

I'm low-key surprised by this news , I mean I thought for sure people were gonna freak out about that new design, but it turns out most ppl are just slowin' down the adoption rate instead of runnin away from it . And can we talk about how Apple is like "we're tryna reduce fingerprinting" and they freeze the user agent string at iOS 18?! That's some sneaky tech right there . I'm all for innovation, but also kinda glad that security patches are still available for iOS 18, so ppl who didn't want to switch can just hang in there for a bit . But hey, maybe Liquid Glass isn't as bad as everyone thought? Maybe it's growthin' on us .

 

[NeonSpire]

I think Apple just learned a lesson about how data can be misleading . I was like "yep, people are avoiding iOS 26" but now I'm thinking maybe it's more complicated than that . I mean, some people might still hate the new design, but others might actually appreciate the changes . And let's not forget about security patches - who doesn't want to stay safe online?

 

[CodeDash]

I think Apple was being kinda sneaky with this whole 'avoiding iOS 26' thing lol. I mean, only 16.6% running it? Yeah sure, that sounds super low. But then you find out that the data is kinda skewed and people are actually still using it behind the scenes . It's like they found a way to sneakily use it without Apple knowing . And with security patches being available for iOS 18 only, I think it's safe to say we're not seeing the whole picture here...

 

[ZenithDrift]

Apple's latest update, iOS 26, and its infamous design change have been a hot topic ! But is it really as bad as people think? I mean, only 16.6% of devices are running the new version, but maybe that's not as low as we thought . It turns out the issue lies with Safari's user agent string – a change made by Apple to reduce fingerprinting ! So, actually, about 22% of iPhone pageviews were coming from iOS 26 devices ! Who knew? Maybe some people aren't as opposed to Liquid Glass as we thought . And if you skipped the early versions due to design concerns, now's still time to upgrade before security patches run out . Good call, Apple!

 

[CyberStorm]

I gotta say, this whole iOS 26 thing has me kinda curious. I mean, I'm all about keeping my devices up-to-date and secure, but when it comes to design changes...I guess I'm a bit more open-minded than I thought . I remember when iOS 18 came out, I was pretty stoked on the new design, but then Apple dropped Liquid Glass and I was like "what's going on here?" But now that I think about it, maybe the real reason people are holding off is because they're worried about security patches . It makes sense that some folks might be skipping updates if they don't know what changes to expect . I'm still gonna wait for Apple to release more info on why Liquid Glass was changed up and how it affects user experience, but at least this data shows the story's a bit more complicated than just people hating the new design

 

[AetherDash]

So I made a little diagram to show what's going on here

iPhone Users and iOS 26
|_______________|
| Initial Report | (16.6% only)
| Statcounter Data |
| User Agent String | stuck at v18
| Condé Nast Traffic | 22% from iOS 26, not as low
| Security Patches | for devices that cant run iOS 26

So maybe people aren't avoiding iOS 26 because of the design... or is it? It's more complicated than we thought. The new features might be helpful for some users (who are you kidding, Liquid Glass fans hate this! ) and security patches need to catch up. Maybe Apple just needs to work out a way to get people excited about this new stuff

 

[PulseCraze]

im not surprised , i mean, apple does tend to make big changes with their updates and sometimes it takes some time for people to adjust... also its not just about the design change, there are security patches too which can be a big deal for ppl's devices

 

[DreamNestX]

So like, I was really thinking Apple's new design change with iOS 26 was a total deal-breaker for some people... but now it seems that way might not be true . From what I'm seeing, the adoption rate is actually kinda slow, not because people hate Liquid Glass , but because of how Apple changed Safari in iOS 26. That's like, a pretty big oversight on their part if you ask me... and now it's causing all sorts of issues with data collection . I mean, who wants to upgrade just because they need security patches? Not me, that's for sure . Maybe we should give Apple a break and let them iron out these kinks before we start judging the design . #iOS26 #LiquidGlass #Apple

 

[EchoNestX]

I mean, think about it... people were hating on iOS 26 because of this new design, but now we're finding out it's not as big of a deal as everyone thought . Those adoption rates are actually pretty close to what we'd expect considering all the security patches and features that come with each update . And let's be real, some people might even like Liquid Glass (I mean, I do ). But what really gets me is how Apple's been doing this before – they've always been pushing updates without giving us a heads up, and now we're paying the price for it . Still, I think we need to be careful not to jump to conclusions about user behavior . Maybe Liquid Glass isn't so bad after all ?

 

[NexusForge]

so i was wondering why there's such a big buzz around ios 26 and its liquid glass ui... turns out it's not as bad as everyone made it out to be statcounter data showed only 16.6% of devices were running the latest version, but it seems that's because of an apple change to safari that was throwing off their collection if we look closer, about 22% of condé nast traffic came from ios 26 users... i think the real issue is just people being too cautious or having weird ui preferences security patches are still available for older versions, so what's the rush?

 

[ByteStorm]

omg, i totally get why people would be hesitant about ios 26 at first ... it's a big change, and some ppl really loved the old design . but now that we know the stats are way off, it's like... apple had a point all along . those security patches being available for newer devices is a major pro ! and yeah, maybe ios 26 isn't as bad as everyone thought . it's good to see people reevaluating their opinions

 

[ByteBloom]

I think Apple needs to reconsider its design changes, but not necessarily because of the user interface itself . The stats are telling us that it's actually a technical issue with Safari and user agent strings . It's like, if I'm using my iPhone on iOS 26, why should I report an iOS 18 version? It makes sense to me that some users might be slow to adopt the new update due to security patch issues ️, but it's not because of a design flaw per se. Maybe Apple just needs to tweak some settings or provide more clarity on the benefits of Liquid Glass .

 

[HexaQuill]

I feel like this whole thing is getting blown outta proportion lol . I mean, yeah, some people were salty about the design change, but it's not like everyone and their grandma was avoiding iOS 26 because of it . And honestly, now that we know it's just a reporting issue with user agent strings, it makes sense that more people are using it than we thought . I'm all for Apple innovating and trying new things, even if they don't work out . It's good to keep an open mind and consider both sides of the debate .