In simply over a month, we’ll lastly get to obtain the official iOS 26 on our iPhones. Obtainable now could be the iOS 26 developer beta 6 (for builders solely), and the general public beta which you’ll be able to obtain and set up now. CEO Tim Cook dinner not too long ago stated it is (together with the opposite present beta working programs) “by far the preferred developer betas we’ve had,” 9to5Mac reviews. You too can check out our preview of the iOS 26 public beta launch, which exhibits off the recent residence and lock display screen redesign. Referred to as Liquid Glass, the brand new translucent look will lengthen throughout all of Apple’s upcoming working programs. The overhaul is one in all a number of massive adjustments coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple’s software program suite, all of which have been showcased throughout the firm’s WWDC keynote on June 9.
After overpromising on AI plans final yr, Apple saved its iOS roadmap targeted extra on primary high quality of life enhancements this yr. There are a number of helpful additions coming to the Telephone and Messages apps in your iPhone, as an example: Apple execs outlined the flexibility to weed out spam texts or different unknown senders and an choice to carry your spot on a telephone name if you’ve been ready for a consultant to choose up. Plus, a treasured function that we took without any consideration is coming again (trace: it is within the Images app).
Siri, in the meantime, is in a holding sample. Apple has beforehand specified that its smarter voice assistant — first promised at WWDC 2024 — is delayed till some level “within the coming yr,” so that you should not count on any main adjustments within the present betas. However there are reviews that Apple is aiming to present Siri a much bigger mind transplant by basing it on third-party synthetic intelligence fashions like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude, which may make 2026 a pivotal yr. The corporate can also be reportedly engaged on a ‘stripped-down’ AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.
With every beta, it looks like extra new enhancements are popping up, like this FaceTime function that’ll freeze your video if it detects nudity. With the discharge of the iOS 26 developer beta 5, we noticed extra added options, like a brand new bouncy animation on the passcode display screen and within the Management Heart, MacRumors reviews. Some or all of these adjustments will seemingly quickly migrate into the separate public beta (see beneath). Most newer iPhone fashions are eligible to obtain iOS 26 (each the betas and remaining model). Need to see the total listing of latest options coming this fall? Learn on.
What’s iOS 26?
The present iPhone working system is iOS 18, and Apple continues to be actively updating it — model 18.6 was only in the near past launched. However do not count on to see iOS 19. As an alternative, Apple is skipping the numbering forward to iOS 26 later this yr. The corporate has determined to line up its iOS model numbers with a year-based system, just like automotive mannequin years. So whereas iOS and its sibling working programs can be launched in late 2025, they’re all designated “26” to replicate the yr forward.
It is official, we’re shifting to iOS 26. (Apple)
What’s Liquid Glass design?
Let’s be trustworthy. Out of the whole lot introduced at WWDC this yr, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone’s residence and lock screens have seemed just about the identical yr after yr — the final thrilling factor (for my part) was the choice so as to add your personal aesthetic to your own home display screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the house and lock screens’ new facelift is refreshing.
So what precisely is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a “new translucent materials” since, effectively, the apps and widgets are clear. Nevertheless, the display screen can nonetheless adapt to darkish and light-weight modes, relying on environment. You will additionally discover buttons with a brand new floating design in a number of apps, like Telephone and Maps. They’re designed to be much less distracting than the present buttons, however are nonetheless simple to see. Whereas the design overhaul has confirmed to be controversial since its announcement, some — together with Engadget’s personal Devindra Hardawar — like the brand new course, even when it is considerably harking back to Microsoft’s translucent Home windows Vista Aero designs from almost twenty years in the past.
That stated, as of the discharge of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already integrated some consumer suggestions into the design, dialing again the transparency in at the least some locations. And whereas it’s going to proceed to evolve, Apple customers will not have the ability to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes extra cohesive. This is a have a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the brand new macOS Tahoe 26 in your desktop.
What are the brand new and notable options of iOS 26?
iOS 26 has a laundry listing of latest options. Among the many most worthwhile:
Telephone app redesign: You will lastly have the ability to scroll by contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new function known as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the telephone so you’ll be able to keep away from the elevator music and proceed on with different duties.
Reside Translation in Telephone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the flexibility to have a dialog through telephone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Reside Translation will translate your dialog in actual time, which ends up in some stop-and-go interactions within the examples Apple shared throughout its presentation.
Polls in group chats: Bored with sorting by what looks like a whole bunch of messages in your group chat? You and your pals will quickly have the ability to create polls in group messages for deciding issues like which brunch spot you are consuming at or whose automotive you take on a street journey.
Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you have not acquired spam texts about unpaid tolls or different citations, you are fortunate. For these of us who’ve, these annoying messages will quickly be filtered away in a separate folder.
Visible Intelligence: Just like a reverse Google picture search, this new function will will let you seek for something that is in your iPhone display screen. For example, for those who spot a pair of footwear somebody is sporting in an Instagram picture, you’ll be able to screenshot it and use Visible Intelligence to search out these footwear (or comparable ones) on-line.
Images tabs are again: For anybody who’s nonetheless annoyed with the Images adjustments made final yr, you will be blissful to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections can have their very own separate areas so you do not have to scroll to infinity to search out what you are searching for.
FaceTime “Communication Security” function: A more recent addition to iOS 26 seems to be the FaceTime “Communication Security” function that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The function seems to be a baby security function that makes use of on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privateness points.
New lock display screen choices: The iPhone lock display screen will get extra customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper results, extra widgets and higher focus mode choices.
Apple’s Maintain Help can be nifty for these pesky companies that put you on maintain for 10 or extra minutes. (Apple)
New adjustments coming to iPadOS 26
Your iPad is not getting left behind with regards to massive updates. This is what’s coming this fall.
Multitasking and actual windowing: If you obtain the latest replace, you’ll have a number of apps working in your display screen on the similar time. When you open an app, it’s going to seem in your display screen as regular however you’ll resize and transfer it throughout your display screen to make room for different apps. This function is optionally available so you’ll be able to flip it off for those who do not prefer it.
Visible replace: Together with the opposite new OSes, iPadOS 26 is coming with the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new look will seem on the lock and residential screens, in addition to the drop-down menus.
New menu bar: If you swipe down in your display screen, the brand new menu bar will seem with choices like File, Edit, Home windows and extra. There’s additionally a search choice for those who’re searching for one thing particular.
Checkout our first impressions of iPadOS 26.
What about AirPods?
AirPods are additionally getting up to date with iOS 26. Listed here are among the extra notable features.
Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this “studio-quality” audio recording, and with it, you will discover extra readability whereas in noisy environments.
Digital camera distant management: Utilizing this, you’ll be able to take a photograph or begin and cease video recording with only one press in your AirPods. When taking pictures, you will get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.
Which iPhones will have the ability to improve to iOS 26?
A number of iPhone fashions that run the present model of iOS — iPhone XR, XS and XS Max — will not be suitable with the most recent improve. However any iPhones launched in 2019 or later can be eligible for the iOS 26 replace.
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iPhone SE (second era or later)
Not listed below are the presumed new iPhone 17 fashions (or perhaps iPhone 26?) which can be all however sure to be introduced and launched in September.
set up iOS 26 beta
The iOS 26 public beta is now out there to obtain through the Apple Beta Software program Program. When you’re not already a member, you will want to enroll to check out all the most recent options. Simply go to beta.apple.com and join along with your telephone quantity or e mail tackle. It is free.
When you’re in, you’ll be able to set up it by going to Settings > Normal > Software program Replace and choosing iOS 26 public beta.
A phrase of warning: Do not join along with your most important iPhone except you are OK with any dangers that happen with utilizing an OS that is not finalized.
When will the ultimate model of iOS 26 be launched?
iOS 26 can be launched to the general public this fall. It normally is available in September, inside per week of the Apple iPhone occasion. Final yr, it rolled out to iPhone customers on September 16 — precisely one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was introduced.
When you’re extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, this is the whole lot Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and extra throughout WWDC. Additionally, try how iOS 26 screenshots might be an intriguing preview of Apple’s delayed Siri rework.
Replace, August 11: Famous that iOS 26 developer beta has hit beta 6.
Replace, August 8: Added new options coming with iPadOS 26 and AirPods.
Replace, August 6: Famous the discharge of iOS 26 beta 5 and the brand new bouncy function on passcode display screen and Management Heart.
Replace, August 4: Famous that Apple is reportedly engaged on a ChatGPT rival.
Replace, August 1: Added quote from Tim Cook dinner about iOS 26.
Replace, July 31: Famous that iOS 18.6 is now out there.
Replace, July 24: Famous the iOS 26 public beta is now out there.
Replace, July 3: Famous new FaceTime function discovered within the developer beta.
Replace, June 30: Famous ongoing iOS 18 releases, and reviews that Apple is contemplating extra exterior LLMs for Siri.
Replace, June 25: Famous adjustments added in iOS 26 beta 2.
