In simply over per week, the Apple iPhone 17 tournament might be right here — it is Tuesday, September 9 — and we’re going to in the end get to look the brand new iPhone 17 lineup. Assuming Apple sticks to custom, we must have the ability to set up iOS 26 more or less one week after the development. However you would not have to attend to check out the brand new options as a result of you’ll be able to obtain and set up the newly launched public beta 5 (or iOS 26 developer beta 8 for builders). I have been taking part in round with it for the previous couple of weeks, and feature discovered that taking screenshots is much higher within the new running device, in addition to attending to make a choice how lengthy you snooze. Even the refreshed Digicam app is more straightforward to navigate. You’ll see a extra whole view of the brand new options in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta liberate, which presentations off the recent house and lock display screen redesign. Referred to as Liquid Glass, the translucent glance will lengthen throughout all of Apple’s upcoming running techniques. The overhaul is one in every of a number of large adjustments coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple’s device suite, all of that have been showcased throughout the corporate’s WWDC keynote on June 9.
After overpromising on AI plans remaining 12 months, Apple stored its iOS roadmap centered extra on fundamental high quality of existence enhancements this 12 months. There are a couple of helpful additions coming to the Telephone and Messages apps in your iPhone, as an example: Apple professionals defined the power to weed out unsolicited mail texts or different unknown senders and an approach to hang your spot on a telephone name whilst you’ve been looking ahead to a consultant to pick out up. Plus, a precious function that we took with no consideration is coming again (trace: it is within the Footage app).
With each and every beta, it kind of feels like further new enhancements are shooting up, like this new AirPods gesture we are all fascinated by, and 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 at the passcode display screen and within the Regulate Heart, MacRumors studies. Some or all of the ones adjustments will most probably quickly migrate into the separate public beta (see underneath). Maximum more moderen iPhone fashions are eligible to obtain iOS 26 (each the betas and ultimate model). Wish to see the overall listing of latest options coming q4? Learn on.
What’s iOS 26?
The present iPhone running device is iOS 18, and Apple remains to be actively updating it — model 18.6.1 used to be launched to repair Apple Watch blood oxygen tracking capability for sure customers in the USA. Extra lately, Apple launched 18.6.2 to deal with a vulnerability associated with symbol processing. Apple has formally stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors studies, because of this it could actually now not be put in in your iPhone because of a “server-side device verification test.” That is lovely standard when more moderen variations are to be had to obtain.
However do not be expecting to look iOS 19 quickly — or ever. As a substitute, Apple is skipping the numbering forward to iOS 26 subsequent month. The corporate has determined to line up its iOS model numbers with a year-based device, very similar to automotive fashion years. So whilst iOS and its sibling running techniques might be launched in past due 2025, they are all designated “26” to replicate the 12 months forward.
It is authentic, we are transferring to iOS 26. (Apple)
What’s Liquid Glass design?
Let’s be truthful. Out of the entirety introduced at WWDC this 12 months, the new Liquid Glass design used to be the famous person of the display. The iPhone’s house and lock monitors have regarded just about the similar 12 months after 12 months — the remaining thrilling factor (for my part) used to be the choice so as to add your personal aesthetic to your house display screen by way of customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the house and lock monitors’ new facelift is refreshing.
So what precisely is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a “new translucent subject material” since, neatly, the apps and widgets are transparent. Alternatively, the display screen can nonetheless adapt to darkish and light-weight modes, relying on setting. You’ll be able to additionally understand buttons with a brand new floating design in different apps, like Telephone and Maps. They are designed to be much less distracting than the present buttons, however are nonetheless simple to look. Whilst the design overhaul has confirmed to be debatable since its announcement, some — together with Engadget’s personal Devindra Hardawar — like the brand new course, although it is rather harking back to Microsoft’s translucent Home windows Vista Aero designs from just about two decades in the past.
That stated, as of the discharge of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already included some person comments into the design, dialing again the transparency in no less than some puts. And whilst it is going to proceed to adapt, Apple customers will not be able to flee it: Liquid Glass used to be designed to make all of Apple’s OSes extra cohesive. Here is a take a look at how the translucent aesthetic will glance 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. Some of the maximum profitable:
Telephone app redesign: You’ll be able to in the end have the ability to scroll via contacts, fresh calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new function known as Hang Lend a hand that’ll notify you when an agent involves the telephone so you’ll be able to steer clear of the elevator tune and proceed on with different duties.
Are living Translation in Telephone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the power to have a dialog by the use of telephone name or textual content message with anyone who speaks any other language. Are living 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 team chats: Bored with sorting via what turns out like loads of messages to your team chat? You and your mates will quickly have the ability to create polls in team messages for deciding such things as which brunch spot you are consuming at or whose automotive you take on a highway travel.
Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you have not won unsolicited mail texts about unpaid tolls or different citations, you are fortunate. For the ones people who’ve, the ones anxious messages will quickly be filtered away in a separate folder.
Visible Intelligence: Very similar to a opposite Google symbol seek, this new function will help you seek for the rest that is in your iPhone display screen. As an example, in case you spot a couple of brogues anyone is dressed in in an Instagram photograph, you’ll be able to screenshot it and use Visible Intelligence to seek out the ones sneakers (or equivalent ones) on-line.
Footage tabs are again: For someone who is nonetheless annoyed with the Footage adjustments made remaining 12 months, you’ll be able to be at liberty to grasp that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections could have their very own separate areas so that you would not have to scroll to infinity to seek out what you are on the lookout for.
FaceTime “Conversation Protection” function: A more moderen addition to iOS 26 seems to be the FaceTime “Conversation Protection” function that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The function seems to be a kid protection function that makes use of on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privateness problems.
New lock display screen choices: The iPhone lock display screen will get extra customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3-d wallpaper results, extra widgets and higher focal point mode choices.
Apple’s Hang Lend a hand might be nifty for the ones pesky products and services that put you on hang for 10 or extra mins. (Apple)
New adjustments coming to iPadOS 26
Your iPad is not getting left at the back of relating to large updates. Here is what’s coming q4.
Multitasking and actual windowing: Whilst you obtain the most recent replace, you are able to have a couple of apps working in your display screen on the identical time. If you open an app, it is going to seem in your display screen as standard however you are able to resize and transfer it throughout your display screen to make room for different apps. This selection is not obligatory so you’ll be able to flip it off if you do not love it.
Visible replace: Along side the opposite new OSes, iPadOS 26 is coming with the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new glance will seem at the lock and residential monitors, in addition to the drop-down menus.
New menu bar: Whilst you swipe down in your display screen, the brand new menu bar will seem with choices like Record, Edit, Home windows and extra. There is additionally a seek possibility in case you are on the lookout for one thing explicit.
Take a look at our first impressions of iPadOS 26.
What about AirPods?
AirPods also are getting up to date with iOS 26. Listed below are probably the most extra notable purposes.
Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this “studio-quality” audio recording, and with it, you’ll be able to understand extra readability whilst in noisy environments.
Digicam far off regulate: The use of this, you’ll be able to take a photograph or get started and forestall video recording with only one press in your AirPods. When taking footage, you’ll be able to get a three-second countdown prior to your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.
Are living translation function: Whilst now not formally introduced or showed, it seems that that the long-rumored are living translation for AirPods might be coming with iOS 26. The proof comes from a device asset noticed within the in iOS 26 beta appearing a gesture that is prompted by way of urgent each earbud stems on the identical time. The photograph additionally presentations phrases in different other languages.
Center fee tracking (rumored for now): Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Professional earbuds this 12 months, which may have middle fee tracking. It might paintings with Apple’s Well being app and different health apps that monitor middle charges.
Will Siri get an replace?
Siri is in a conserving trend. Apple has in the past specified that its smarter voice assistant — first promised at WWDC 2024 — is behind schedule till some level “within the coming 12 months,” so you should not be expecting any primary adjustments within the present betas. However there are studies that Apple is aiming to provide Siri a larger mind transplant by way of basing it on third-party synthetic intelligence fashions like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude, which might make 2026 a pivotal 12 months. The corporate may be reportedly operating on a “stripped-down” AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.
Which iPhones will have the ability to improve to iOS 26?
A couple of iPhone fashions that run the present model of iOS — iPhone XR, XS and XS Max — may not be appropriate with the newest improve. However any iPhones launched in 2019 or later might be eligible for the iOS 26 replace.
iPhone SE (moment technology or later)
Now not listed below are the presumed new iPhone 17 fashions (or perhaps iPhone 26?) which might be all however sure to be introduced and launched in September.
The way to set up iOS 26 beta
The iOS 26 public beta is now to be had to obtain by the use of the Apple Beta Instrument Program. In case you are now not already a member, you’ll be able to wish to join to check out out the entire newest options. Simply seek advice from beta.apple.com and join together with your telephone quantity or e mail deal with. It is unfastened.
As soon as you are in, you’ll be able to set up it by way of going to Settings > Normal > Instrument Replace and settling on iOS 26 public beta.
A phrase of warning: Do not join together with your major iPhone except you are OK with any dangers that happen with the usage of an OS that is not finalized.
When will the general model of iOS 26 be launched?
iOS 26 might be launched to the general public q4. It normally is available in September, inside of per week of the Apple iPhone tournament. Final 12 months, it rolled out to iPhone customers on September 16 — precisely one week after the iPhone 16 lineup used to be introduced. Because the iPhone 17 tournament falls on September 9 this 12 months, it is conceivable the downloads will hit our telephones on September 16.
In case you are extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, this is the entirety Apple published for iOS, macOS and extra throughout WWDC. Additionally, take a look at how iOS 26 screenshots might be an intriguing preview of Apple’s behind schedule Siri remodel.
Replace, August 29: Added new phase about Siri and a hyperlink to what is new with the iOS 26 Digicam app.
Replace, August 27: Added the authentic iPhone 17 tournament date, in addition to the possible iOS 26 liberate.
Replace, August 25: Added a rumor about new AirPods Professional having middle fee tracking.
Replace, August 22: Famous that Apple has formally stopped signing iOS 18.6.
Replace, August 20: Famous that iOS 26 public beta 4 and iOS 18.6.2 are actually to be had to obtain.
Replace, August 18: Added information about a possible iOS 18.6 replace.
Replace, August 15: Added to hyperlink to what to anticipate on the Apple iPhone tournament and information about what is to be had within the iOS 26 screenshots editor.
Replace, August 13: Added new AirPods element noticed within the iOS 26 beta.
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 Regulate Heart.
Replace, August 4: Famous that Apple is reportedly operating 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 to be had.
Replace, July 24: Famous the iOS 26 public beta is now to be had.
Replace, July 3: Famous new FaceTime function discovered within the developer beta.
Replace, June 30: Famous ongoing iOS 18 releases, and studies that Apple is thinking about further exterior LLMs for Siri.
Replace, June 25: Famous adjustments added in iOS 26 beta 2.
