IPadOS 26.2 A WORD OF CAUTION
Thu, 01/08/2026 - 8:58pm
       11 years
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I use IPadOS 18.7.3 which was released around December 12th 2025. I just went into Settings to check for a possible update and the only thing presented is version 26.2. It doesn’t even inform the user what version is being used, just immediately goes to downloading 26.2 unless you have auto updates OFF.
The world we live in
Almost every manufacturer wants your products to be updated, whether it be for security or more likely to have more control over you. Samsung locked all bootloaders internationally with the release of Android 16 this past fall.
^^I got a lenova yoga tab
^^I got a lenova yoga tab plus last month. It's possible to root it without unlocking the bootloader (https://github.com/jjhitel/LTBox). But if need be, boot loader unlock is also possible.
I got a notification the other day about some update. I will sit on it for 3-6 months to read up on what the update breaks before applying it. More than likely I probably won't apply it at all.
A new system i'm putting together came with a bios version several versions old. Reading the change log - https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-b55... didn't really appeal much to me. It's on 3611, and staying there. This box will be used for strictly htpc use. System running quite stable, don't fix what's not broken.
PS. One plus phones can still be boot loader unlocked I believe.
Anyone using 26.2?
I for one would like to hear about the experience with the “liquid glass” feature. I realize Apple recognized that the initial release of the LG feature was not well received and so they instituted changes. But are the changes enough? Apple in their infinite wisdom does not allow a rollback feature and my current store does not have an iPad with 26.2.
John from PA
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I remember there were problems with 26 when it got released. My phone is working nicely with 18.7.2 so I’m holding off on 26. anything for as long as I can.
26.2
I have a 4th gen iPad Pro that's been on 26.0, then 26.1, now 26.2. I'm neutral on it. Not having problems and see a minor difference with Liquid Glass (mainly in home screen icons) but have never seen it as a must-have-ASAP upgrade in terms of new features. I prefer staying current for security, but they will update 18 if there are pressing security concerns.
On my about-to-be-replaced iPhone SE 2022, which I use more than the iPad, because the phone's always with me unless I'm in the shower, I noticed fewer daily hours of battery life on 26.0 and 26.1 that now seems better. That's been a common experience for me with x.0 Apple OS upgrades.
My wife however has been spitting mad about 26 whatever on her iPhone and wishes she could go back to 18, so YMMV. I don't even understand the issue ("it's just different, and why can't they just leave it alone??").
"141 could draw faster than he, but Irving was looking for 143..."
Liquid Glass be gone (not)
I realize Apple recognized that the initial release of the LG feature was not well received and so they instituted changes.
I have not updated any of my (many) devices to iOS 26/iPadOS 26/macOS 26. I'm still currently on iOS/iPadOS 18.7 for all of my mobile devices, as well as my girlfriend's.
Being able to minimize the Liquid Glass effects is one thing but realize that all this fluff and eye candy (in some eyes) uses considerably more resources (CPU) as well as the associated assets (graphics which also take up more storage space). You can't get rid of all this garbage that gets installed for the Liquid Glass effects. The same can be said of the silly Apple Intelligence of which I am also not a fan of. You can turn it off but the assets remain on your device hogging up resources until Apple deems it necessary to remove them even though you have "disabled" it in System Settings. So you are being robbed of potentially precious storage space (~10 GB on my MacBook Air M1 2022) on your device for something that you don't necessarily want.
Why install this Liquid Glass crap when I have enough trouble seeing things clearly on the screen as it is?
If you have an older device, this could be a big factor in how it performs, even though Apple qualifies these devices as being "capable".
I'm staying well away from this pointless fluff for now but eventually I'll be forced into updating to run current apps. Hopefully, Apple will get the message because a lot of people are really unhappy with it. I've also recently read that the adoption rate (people actually installing) is the lowest it has ever been for a major iOS/iPadOS/macOS release. I'm happy to be able to say I have not updated.
My devices work just fine without it...why jeopardize their functionality and my sanity?
nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area
Great points and well written
I realize Apple recognized that the initial release of the LG feature was not well received and so they instituted changes.
I have not updated any of my (many) devices to iOS 26/iPadOS 26/macOS 26. I'm still currently on iOS/iPadOS 18.7 for all of my mobile devices, as well as my girlfriend's.
Being able to minimize the Liquid Glass effects is one thing but realize that all this fluff and eye candy (in some eyes) uses considerably more resources (CPU) as well as the associated assets (graphics which also take up more storage space). You can't get rid of all this garbage that gets installed for the Liquid Glass effects. The same can be said of the silly Apple Intelligence of which I am also not a fan of. You can turn it off but the assets remain on your device hogging up resources until Apple deems it necessary to remove them even though you have "disabled" it in System Settings. So you are being robbed of potentially precious storage space (~10 GB on my MacBook Air M1 2022) on your device for something that you don't necessarily want.
Why install this Liquid Glass crap when I have enough trouble seeing things clearly on the screen as it is?
If you have an older device, this could be a big factor in how it performs, even though Apple qualifies these devices as being "capable".
I'm staying well away from this pointless fluff for now but eventually I'll be forced into updating to run current apps. Hopefully, Apple will get the message because a lot of people are really unhappy with it. I've also recently read that the adoption rate (people actually installing) is the lowest it has ever been for a major iOS/iPadOS/macOS release. I'm happy to be able to say I have not updated.
My devices work just fine without it...why jeopardize their functionality and my sanity?
I’m 82 and have vision problems and don’t wish to experiment with the Liquid Glass. APPLE give me an option to roll back and I’ll give it a try. Force me to use 26+, and your close to that, I may return to Samsing (my 1st tablet)
John from PA