Statcounter and TelemetryDeck often report different iOS 26 adoption rates because they measure different user populations using different methods. Statcounter estimates iOS version share from web browsing traffic across its network of sites, while TelemetryDeck aggregates opt in, in app analytics from apps that use its SDK. Neither is an official Apple figure, so discrepancies are expected and not necessarily a sign that one source is wrong.
What is iOS adoption and who measures it?
iOS adoption is the share of active iPhones running a particular iOS version. Apple occasionally publishes distribution snapshots on its developer site, but it does not provide real time public dashboards. In the gaps, third parties estimate adoption from their own data sources, which can yield different answers depending on what they measure and who is represented.
Apple’s own distribution charts on the Apple Developer support page are the closest thing to an official view, but they are snapshots, not a continuously updated feed.
How does Statcounter measure iOS versions?
Statcounter uses a large network of websites and counts page views to infer device, operating system, and version from browser user agents. It then aggregates and weights these measurements to estimate market share by country and globally. Because the sample is web traffic, it represents people who browse the web, which may over represent certain demographics or regions and under represent others.
You can review Statcounter’s approach and caveats in its methodology, and see version level estimates on its iOS version share chart.
How does TelemetryDeck measure iOS versions?
TelemetryDeck collects anonymized, privacy friendly signals from participating apps that integrate its SDK. When those apps run, TelemetryDeck receives metadata such as OS version, which it aggregates to estimate adoption. This sample reflects active app usage across its customer base, not web browsing. If its customers skew toward certain app categories or geographies, the adoption estimates will reflect that.
See how TelemetryDeck collects and aggregates data on its How it works page and product site at telemetrydeck.com.
Why can their iOS 26 adoption numbers differ?
- Different samples: Web browsing audiences and in app audiences are not the same. Games, fitness, finance, or enterprise apps can skew newer or older than the web average.
- Geography and weighting: Regional uptake varies, and the services weight countries differently. A fast updating region can dominate one dataset but not the other.
- Timing and rollouts: Apple staggers automatic updates, and many users wait for point releases. A dataset with more enthusiasts may show faster early adoption.
- Eligibility and device mix: Older devices that cannot upgrade remain on earlier versions. Datasets with more legacy devices will show slower adoption.
- Definition differences: Some dashboards show share of all iPhones, others show share of devices active in the last 28 days, and some focus on a specific major or minor release.
- Technical detection quirks: Version detection from browser user agents can be noisy, and in app telemetry depends on SDK implementation and app update cycles.
There is no single “true” adoption number. Each figure is a lens on a specific population, shaped by that service’s data sources and assumptions.
Is iOS 26 adoption unusually slow?
It depends on what you compare it to and which dataset you trust. In recent years, major iOS releases typically surpassed the 50 percent mark within a few months according to third party trackers and Apple’s periodic distribution snapshots. For example, Mixpanel and others documented rapid uptake for iOS 16 and iOS 17, while Apple’s developer distribution pages have shown high adoption among devices introduced in the last four years. If one source shows iOS 26 near 15 to 20 percent after several months while another shows around 60 percent, that gap almost certainly reflects sampling, timing, and methodology rather than a single dramatic shift in user behavior.
To understand what is happening for your audience, check multiple sources, then compare them to your own analytics. Mixpanel’s public trends, for example, have historically tracked iOS adoption curves for recent releases (example analysis), and Apple’s distribution snapshots provide periodic baselines.
What does this mean for users deciding whether to update?
Adoption percentage by itself should not determine your decision. Instead, weigh features, stability, and security for your device and apps.
- Reasons to update now: You need iOS 26 specific features, new device pairing or compatibility, or the latest security fixes. Apple’s guidance on updating is here: Update your iPhone.
- Reasons to wait: You prefer to avoid early release bugs, you rely on a critical workflow that is not yet verified on iOS 26, or your device is older and you want to see performance reports first. Many users target the first or second point release for stability.
- Mitigations after updating: Expect short term battery impact while the system reindexes. Give it 24 to 48 hours, then optimize settings using Apple’s battery life guide and review iPhone battery and performance.
- If you cannot update: Lack of storage or other issues can block installation. See Apple’s troubleshooting at If your iPhone or iPad will not update.
Apple rolls out automatic updates gradually, and you can control whether your iPhone updates automatically in Settings. See the iPhone User Guide on updating iPhone for details.
How should developers interpret conflicting adoption data?
- Use your own telemetry first: Your app’s analytics are the best predictor of what your users run.
- Plan support by cohorts: Track adoption among devices introduced in the last four years versus all devices, which is how Apple reports distribution to developers.
- Watch multiple dashboards: Compare Statcounter’s iOS version share with SDK based sources and Apple’s distribution page to triangulate.
- Time deprecations conservatively: Delay dropping older iOS support until your own data shows a clear majority has moved.