From threatening to ban iPhones at Tesla workplaces, to getting impressed: Elon Musk’s reaction to iOS 18 vs iOS 26

Just a yr after threatening a blanket ban on Apple gadgets at his firms due to perceived safety dangers, Elon Musk seems to have adopted a notably extra optimistic view on Apple’s newest cellular working system, iOS 26. Last yr, following stories of Apple’s intention to combine OpenAI‘s ChatGPT into iOS 18, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X expressed profound disapproval. In a public assertion, Musk labeled the ChatGPT integration as an “unacceptable security violation,” going as far as to declare that Apple gadgets can be prohibited at his numerous company campuses.Apple’s all new iOS 26 working system brings the brand new ‘Liquid Glass’ design, enhanced Apple Intelligence, and main system upgrades. All new options of iOS 26 can be found for testing beginning right now by builders by the Apple Developer Program at developer.apple.com

Elon Musk’s reaction to iOS 18

Last yr, Musk strongly opposed Apple’s partnership with OpenAI, calling the mixing of ChatGPT into iOS 18 an “unacceptable security violation”. He went so far as threatening to ban Apple gadgets from Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink workplaces, stating that guests would have to test their iPhones at the door. “If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies. That is an unacceptable security violation,” wrote Elon Musk on X.

“And visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage,” added Musk.His considerations at the time centered on the thought of Apple “handing over your data to OpenAI without you even realizing it.”

Elon Musk’s reaction to iOS 26

Fast ahead to WWDC 2025, the place Apple unveiled iOS 26, showcasing a sweeping “Liquid Glass” visible redesign and a number of latest options, together with enhanced AI capabilities like Live Translation and a extra built-in strategy to Apple Intelligence. Following a publish by Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighting the brand new iOS 26 interface, Elon Musk reportedly supplied a short, but notably optimistic, reaction: “Cool.”

The new design, that includes translucent UI components and dynamic movement results, seems to have impressed Musk, marking a stark distinction to his earlier criticism.While Musk has not elaborated as to what he preferred particularly about iOS 26. But plainly the Tesla CEO is impressed by iOS 26’s design enhancements and AI-powered system enhancements.