It is nearly time: The Apple iPhone 17 tournament begins these days at 1PM ET — that is simply hours away. If you wish to apply alongside, you’ll be able to watch the iPhone 17 release are living and apply Engadget’s Apple tournament liveblog. Along with the iPhone 17 lineup — together with the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air — we are additionally anticipating to look new Apple Watch fashions, in addition to a brand new AirPods Professional.
Assuming Apple sticks to custom, we must be capable of set up iOS 26 a few week or so after the exhibit. However you wouldn’t have to attend to check out the brand new options, since you’ll be able to obtain and set up the newly launched public beta 6 or iOS 26 developer beta 9. (See our preview of the iOS 26 public beta unencumber for more information.) The very first thing you’ll be able to realize is a brand new transparent design language Apple dubs Liquid Glass. The translucent glance may also be discovered inside of apps in addition to your lock and residential displays. The overhaul is one in every of a number of giant adjustments coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple’s tool suite
After overpromising on AI plans ultimate yr, Apple saved its iOS roadmap centered extra on elementary high quality of existence enhancements with iOS 26. There are more than one helpful additions coming to the Telephone and Messages apps, as an example: Apple professionals defined the facility to weed out unsolicited mail texts or unknown senders and an solution to cling your spot on a telephone name whilst you’ve been looking forward to a consultant to pick out up.
It sort of feels like further new enhancements are shooting up (or no less than hinted at) with every beta, reminiscent of an AirPods are living translation characteristic and a brand new bouncy animation at the passcode display screen and within the Keep an eye on Heart. A few of the ones adjustments have already migrated into the separate public beta. Maximum more recent iPhone fashions are eligible to obtain iOS 26 (each the betas and ultimate model). We’ve got rounded up a complete checklist of recent options coming q4 under.
What’s iOS 26?
The present iPhone working device is iOS 18, which Apple continues to be actively updating — model 18.6.1 used to be launched ultimate month, as an example, to repair Apple Watch blood oxygen tracking capability for positive customers in america. Extra not too long ago, Apple launched iOS 18.6.2 to deal with a vulnerability associated with symbol processing. Apple has formally stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors stories, which means that it could possibly now not be put in for your iPhone because of a “server-side tool verification test.” That is lovely customary when more recent variations are to be had to obtain.
However do not be expecting to ever see an iOS 19. As a substitute, Apple is skipping its naming conference forward to iOS 26. (Apple may be anticipated to unencumber iOS 18.7 on the similar time, consistent with MacRumors, to deal with safety problems.) The corporate has made up our minds to line up its iOS model numbers with a year-based device, very similar to automobile type years. So whilst iOS and its sibling working programs will probably be launched in past due 2025, they are all designated “26” to replicate the yr forward.
It is reputable, we are shifting to iOS 26. (Apple)
What’s Liquid Glass design?
Let’s be fair. Out of the whole thing introduced at WWDC this yr, the new Liquid Glass design used to be the superstar of the display. The iPhone’s house and lock displays have appeared just about the similar yr after yr — the ultimate thrilling factor (for my part) used to be the choice so as to add your individual aesthetic to your house display screen by way of customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the house and lock displays’ 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 lightweight modes, relying on environment. You’ll be able to additionally realize 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 Devindra Hardawar — like the brand new route, even though it is quite paying homage to Microsoft’s translucent Home windows Vista Aero designs from just about two decades in the past.
That mentioned, 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’s going to proceed to adapt, Apple customers will not be able to flee it: The corporate says Liquid Glass used to be designed to make all of its platforms extra cohesive. Here is a take a look at how the translucent aesthetic will glance with the brand new macOS Tahoe 26 for your desktop.
What are the brand new and notable options of iOS 26?
iOS 26 has a laundry checklist of recent options. A few of the maximum profitable:
Telephone app redesign: You’ll be able to in any case be capable of scroll via contacts, fresh calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new characteristic known as Grasp Lend a hand that’ll notify you when an agent involves the telephone so you’ll be able to keep away from the elevator track and proceed on with different duties.
Reside Translation in Telephone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the facility to have a dialog by way of telephone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks some other language. Reside Translation will translate your dialog in actual time, which leads to some stop-and-go interactions within the examples Apple shared right through its presentation.
Polls in crew chats: Bored with sorting via what turns out like loads of messages for your crew chat? You and your pals will quickly be capable of create polls in crew messages for deciding such things as which brunch spot you might be consuming at or whose automobile you take on a street go back and forth.
Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you have not won unsolicited mail texts about unpaid tolls or different citations, you might be fortunate. For the ones folks who’ve, the ones irritating messages will quickly be filtered away in a separate folder.
Visible Intelligence: Very similar to a opposite Google symbol seek, this new characteristic will will let you seek for anything else that is for your iPhone display screen. For example, in the event you spot a couple of brogues somebody is dressed in in an Instagram photograph, you’ll be able to screenshot it and use Visible Intelligence to search out the ones sneakers (or an identical ones) on-line.
Pictures tabs are again: For someone who is been annoyed with ultimate yr’s adjustments to the Pictures app, you’ll be able to feel free to understand that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections can have their very own separate areas so that you wouldn’t have to scroll to infinity to search out what you might be on the lookout for.
Digital camera app updates: Navigating the Digital camera app must be more effective in iOS 26, as the entire buttons and menus are in handy spots — much less swiping, extra photograph taking. Plus, there is a new characteristic that tells you in case your lens must be wiped clean.
FaceTime “Verbal exchange Protection” characteristic: A more recent addition to iOS 26 seems to be the FaceTime “Verbal exchange Protection” characteristic that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The characteristic seems to be a kid protection characteristic 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.
New alarm atmosphere: You’ll be able to now not be caught with the 9-minute snooze atmosphere for your alarms. As a substitute, you’ll be able to be able to switch your snooze time from one to fifteen mins.
Screenshots glance other: You’ll be able to realize a number of new options when you’re taking a screenshot, together with “spotlight to go looking,” the solution to seek your symbol on Google and ChatGPT is there for any questions you might have concerning the symbol.
Apple’s Grasp Lend a hand will probably be nifty for the ones pesky products and services that put you on cling for 10 or extra mins. (Apple)
New adjustments coming to iPadOS 26
Your iPad is not getting left at the back of relating to giant updates. Here is what’s coming q4.
Multitasking and actual windowing: Whilst you obtain the most recent replace, you are able to have more than one apps working for your display screen on the similar time. When you open an app, it is going to seem for your display screen as customary however you are able to resize and transfer it throughout your display screen to make room for different apps. This option is non-compulsory so you’ll be able to flip it off if you do not adore it.
Visible replace: At the side of the opposite new OSes, iPadOS 26 is coming with the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new glance will seem at the lock and residential displays, in addition to the drop-down menus.
New menu bar: Whilst you swipe down for your display screen, the brand new menu bar will seem with choices like Document, Edit, Home windows and extra. There may be additionally a seek possibility if you are on the lookout for one thing explicit.
There may be extra past that, so make certain to try our first impressions of iPadOS 26.
What about AirPods?
AirPods also are getting up to date with iOS 26. Listed here are one of the crucial extra notable purposes.
Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this “studio-quality” audio recording, and with it, you’ll be able to realize extra readability whilst in noisy environments.
Digital camera faraway regulate: The use of this, you’ll be able to take a photograph or get started and prevent video recording with only one press for your AirPods. When taking footage, you’ll be able to get a three-second countdown ahead of your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.
Reside translation characteristic: Whilst now not formally introduced or showed, apparently 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 similar time. The photograph additionally presentations phrases in different other languages.
Center price tracking (rumored for now): Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Professional earbuds this yr, which may have center price tracking. It could paintings with Apple’s Well being app and different health apps that monitor center charges.
Will Siri get an replace?
Siri is in a keeping development. Apple has up to now specified that its smarter voice assistant — first promised at WWDC 2024 — is behind schedule till some level “within the coming yr,” so you should not be expecting any primary adjustments within the present betas. However there are stories that Apple is aiming to present 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 yr. The corporate may be reportedly operating on a “stripped-down” AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.
Which iPhones will be capable of 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 suitable with the newest improve. However any iPhones from 2019 or later will probably be eligible for iOS 26:
iPhone SE (moment era or later)
No longer listed below are the 4 presumed iPhone 17 fashions which might be all however positive to be introduced and launched in September.
Learn how to set up iOS 26 beta
The iOS 26 public beta is now to be had to obtain by way of the Apple Beta Tool Program. In case you are now not already a member, you’ll be able to want to enroll to check out out the entire newest options. Simply discuss with beta.apple.com and enroll along with your telephone quantity or electronic mail cope with. It is loose.
As soon as you might be in, you’ll be able to set up it by way of going to Settings > Normal > Tool Replace and deciding on iOS 26 public beta.
A phrase of warning: Do not enroll along with your primary iPhone until you might be OK with any dangers that happen with the usage of an OS that’s not finalized.
When will the overall model of iOS 26 be launched?
iOS 26 will probably be launched to the general public q4. It most often is available in September, inside of per week of the Apple iPhone tournament. Closing yr, 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 yr, it is conceivable the downloads will hit our telephones on September 16.
In case you are extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, here is the whole thing Apple printed for iOS, macOS and extra right through WWDC. Additionally, take a look at how iOS 26 screenshots might be an intriguing preview of Apple’s behind schedule Siri transform.
Replace, September 9: Famous the iPhone tournament is beginning quickly.
Replace, September 8: Famous the iPhone 17 tournament is the next day to come.
Replace, September 4: Added information about how screenshots are other in iOS 26.
Replace, September 3: Famous Apple is predicted to unencumber iOS 18.7 along iOS 26.
Replace, September 2: Added extra new options coming with iOS 26.
Replace, August 29: Added new segment about Siri and a hyperlink to what is new with the iOS 26 Digital camera app.
Replace, August 27: Added the reputable iPhone 17 tournament date, in addition to the prospective iOS 26 unencumber.
Replace, August 25: Added a rumor about new AirPods Professional having center price 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 characteristic on passcode display screen and Keep an eye on 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 characteristic discovered within the developer beta.
Replace, June 30: Famous ongoing iOS 18 releases, and stories that Apple is thinking about further exterior LLMs for Siri.
Replace, June 25: Famous adjustments added in iOS 26 beta 2.
