IOS 27 is now the default update for iPhone users still on iOS 26 — no longer tucked away under ‘Also Available’. As of Tuesday, October 8, Apple has flipped the order in Settings → General → Software Update: iOS 27.0.1 appears first and largest. IOS 26.7.1 remains available, but only in a smaller, secondary section at the bottom. This isn’t a forced upgrade. It’s a nudge, sharper than before, but still optional. And it lands exactly three weeks after iOS 27’s September 14 launch. Apple hasn’t released adoption data. It hasn’t said how many iPhones are still running iOS 26. Though the fact that this change was made suggests the number is nontrivial. The move matters most for people who’ve delayed upgrading: those with older devices where iOS 27 compatibility is marginal, or users waiting for app developers to catch up, or accessibility users relying on specific iOS 26 behaviours. IOS 26.7.1 still ships security patches, Apple explicitly recommends installing it if you’re staying put. But the prominence shift signals that support for iOS 26 is entering its final phase. No new features, no new hardware, no price tag. Just a quiet reordering in Settings. But for anyone watching update patterns, it’s the clearest sign yet that iOS 26’s shelf life is ending. IOS 27 rollout continues globally. No regional delays or staggered availability are mentioned in the reporting.