All the pieces to know concerning the Apple iPhone updates

Subsequent month, we’ll lastly get the choice to obtain iOS 26 on our iPhones (screenshots are manner higher within the newest working system!). Till then, you may download and install the newly launched public beta 2 (or iOS 26 developer beta 6 for builders). Throughout Apple’s latest earnings name, CEO Tim Prepare dinner mentioned its assortment of upcoming beta working methods (together with iOS) are “by far the most well-liked developer betas we’ve had,” 9to5Mac reports. You can too check out our preview of the iOS 26 public beta release, which exhibits off the contemporary 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 methods. The overhaul is one in every of a number of huge modifications coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple’s software program suite, all of which have been showcased through the firm’s WWDC keynote on June 9.

After overpromising on AI plans final yr, Apple saved its iOS roadmap centered 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 while 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 Photographs 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 “in the coming year,” so that you should not anticipate any main modifications within the present betas. However there are studies that Apple is aiming to provide Siri an even bigger mind transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude, which might 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 as if extra new enhancements are popping up, like this new AirPods gesture we’re all interested 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 on the passcode display screen and within the Management Middle, MacRumors reports. Some or all of these modifications will probably quickly migrate into the separate public beta (see under). Most newer iPhone fashions are eligible to download iOS 26 (each the betas and remaining model). Need to see the total record of recent 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 — version 18.6 was only recently launched. However do not anticipate 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, much like automobile mannequin years. So whereas iOS and its sibling working methods might be launched in late 2025, they’re all designated “26” to mirror the yr forward.

What’s Liquid Glass design?

Let’s be trustworthy. Out of every little thing introduced at WWDC this yr, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone’s residence and lock screens have appeared just about the identical yr after yr — the final thrilling factor (for my part) was the choice so as to add your individual aesthetic to your private 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 material” since, properly, the apps and widgets are clear. Nonetheless, the display screen can nonetheless adapt to darkish and lightweight 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 paying homage to Microsoft’s translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from practically twenty years in the past.

That mentioned, as of the discharge of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing again the transparency in no less than 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. Here is a have a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the new macOS Tahoe 26 in your desktop.

What are the brand new and notable options of iOS 26?

iOS 26 has a laundry record of recent options. Among the many most worthwhile:

Telephone app redesign: You will lastly have the ability to scroll by means of contacts, latest calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new function referred to as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the telephone so you may 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 by way of 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 means of what looks as if a whole lot 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 automobile 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: Much like a reverse Google picture search, this new function will let you seek for something that is in your iPhone display screen. As an illustration, in case you spot a pair of footwear somebody is carrying in an Instagram photograph, you may screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to seek out these footwear (or comparable ones) on-line.

Photographs tabs are again: For anybody who’s nonetheless annoyed with the Photos changes made last year, you may be glad to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections may have their very own separate areas so you do not have to scroll to infinity to seek out what you are on the lookout for.

FaceTime “Communication Security” function: A more moderen addition to iOS 26 seems to be the FaceTime “Communication Safety” feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The function seems to be a toddler security function that makes use of on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privateness points.

New lock screen options: 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.

New modifications coming to iPadOS 26

Your iPad is not getting left behind with regards to huge updates. Here is what’s coming this fall.

Multitasking and actual windowing: Whenever you obtain the latest replace, you can have a number of apps working in your display screen on the identical time. When you open an app, it’s going to seem in your display screen as regular however you can resize and transfer it throughout your display screen to make room for different apps. This function is non-compulsory so you may flip it off in case you 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: Whenever 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 in case you’re on the lookout for one thing particular.

Take a look at our first impressions of iPadOS 26.

What about AirPods?

AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Listed below are a number of the extra notable features.

Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this “studio-quality” audio recording, and with it, you may discover extra readability whereas in noisy environments.

Digital camera distant management: Utilizing this, you may take a photograph or begin and cease video recording with only one press in your AirPods. When taking images, you may get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.

Reside translation function: Whereas not formally introduced or confirmed, it seems that the long-rumored stay translation for AirPods could be coming with iOS 26. The proof comes from a system asset noticed within the in iOS 26 beta displaying a gesture that is triggered by urgent each earbud stems on the identical time. The photograph additionally exhibits phrases in a number of totally different languages.

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 appropriate with the most recent improve. However any iPhones launched in 2019 or later might be eligible for the iOS 26 update.

• iPhone SE (second technology or later)

Not listed below are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or possibly iPhone 26?) which can be all however sure to be introduced and launched in September.

The best way to set up iOS 26 beta

The iOS 26 public beta is now out there to obtain by way of the Apple Beta Software Program. In the event you’re not already a member, you may want to enroll to check out all the most recent options. Simply go to beta.apple.com and join together with your telephone quantity or electronic mail handle. It is free.

When you’re in, you may set up it by going to Settings > Normal > Software program Replace and choosing iOS 26 public beta.

A phrase of warning: Do not join together with your predominant iPhone until 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 might 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.

In the event you’re extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, here is everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more throughout WWDC. Additionally, take a look at how iOS 26 screenshots may very well be an intriguing preview of Apple’s delayed Siri rework.

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 Management Middle.

Replace, August 4: Famous that Apple is reportedly engaged on a ChatGPT rival.

Replace, August 1: Added quote from Tim Prepare 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 studies that Apple is contemplating extra exterior LLMs for Siri.

Replace, June 25: Famous modifications added in iOS 26 beta 2.