diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7da613d..99e06a4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 <p><h4>A production-ready iOS chat template powered by the OpenAI Responses API, built with SwiftUI</h4></p>
 
 ![Swift](https://img.shields.io/badge/Swift-5.0+-orange.svg)
-![Platform](https://img.shields.io/badge/Platform-iOS%2026.2+-blue.svg)
+![Platform](https://img.shields.io/badge/Platform-iOS%2018+-blue.svg)
 ![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-black.svg)
 ![OpenAI](https://img.shields.io/badge/API-OpenAI%20Responses-green.svg)
 
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Use it as a starting point for your own AI-powered chat app, or as a reference f
 ### Prerequisites
 
 - Xcode 26+
-- iOS 26.2+ deployment target
+- iOS 18+ deployment target
 - An OpenAI API key (or any OpenAI-compatible API)
 
 ### Setup
@@ -57,8 +57,6 @@ Use it as a starting point for your own AI-powered chat app, or as a reference f
 
 3. **Run the app** on a simulator or device. On first launch, you'll be prompted to enter your API key.
 
-That's it. No additional configuration needed.
-
 ### Configuration
 
 All configuration lives in `AppConfig.swift`:
@@ -180,8 +178,8 @@ All dependencies are managed via Swift Package Manager and resolve automatically
 
 ## Requirements
 
-- iOS 26.2+
-- Xcode 26+
+- iOS 18.0+
+- Xcode 16+
 - Swift 5.0+
 
 ## License
diff --git a/SwiftChat.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj b/SwiftChat.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
index b70a750..5719a83 100644
--- a/SwiftChat.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
+++ b/SwiftChat.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@
 				"INFOPLIST_KEY_UIStatusBarStyle[sdk=iphonesimulator*]" = UIStatusBarStyleDefault;
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_UISupportedInterfaceOrientations_iPad = "UIInterfaceOrientationPortrait UIInterfaceOrientationPortraitUpsideDown UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeLeft UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeRight";
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_UISupportedInterfaceOrientations_iPhone = "UIInterfaceOrientationPortrait UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeLeft UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeRight";
-				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
+				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 18.0;
 				LD_RUNPATH_SEARCH_PATHS = "@executable_path/Frameworks";
 				"LD_RUNPATH_SEARCH_PATHS[sdk=macosx*]" = "@executable_path/../Frameworks";
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
@@ -479,7 +479,7 @@
 				"INFOPLIST_KEY_UIStatusBarStyle[sdk=iphonesimulator*]" = UIStatusBarStyleDefault;
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_UISupportedInterfaceOrientations_iPad = "UIInterfaceOrientationPortrait UIInterfaceOrientationPortraitUpsideDown UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeLeft UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeRight";
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_UISupportedInterfaceOrientations_iPhone = "UIInterfaceOrientationPortrait UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeLeft UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeRight";
-				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
+				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 18.0;
 				LD_RUNPATH_SEARCH_PATHS = "@executable_path/Frameworks";
 				"LD_RUNPATH_SEARCH_PATHS[sdk=macosx*]" = "@executable_path/../Frameworks";
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@
 				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 1;
 				DEAD_CODE_STRIPPING = YES;
 				GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE = YES;
-				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
+				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 18.0;
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
 				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.0;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.3s.SwiftChatTests;
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@
 				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 1;
 				DEAD_CODE_STRIPPING = YES;
 				GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE = YES;
-				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
+				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 18.0;
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
 				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.0;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.3s.SwiftChatTests;
@@ -559,7 +559,7 @@
 				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 1;
 				DEAD_CODE_STRIPPING = YES;
 				GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE = YES;
-				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
+				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 18.0;
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
 				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.0;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.3s.SwiftChatUITests;
@@ -584,7 +584,7 @@
 				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 1;
 				DEAD_CODE_STRIPPING = YES;
 				GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE = YES;
-				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
+				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 18.0;
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
 				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.0;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.3s.SwiftChatUITests;