In simply over a month, we'll lastly get to obtain the official iOS 26 on our iPhones. Accessible 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 just lately stated it's (together with the opposite present beta working techniques) "by far the most well-liked developer betas we’ve had," 9to5Mac reports. You can even check out our preview of the iOS 26 public beta launch, which exhibits off the recent dwelling and lock display redesign. Known as Liquid Glass, the brand new translucent look will lengthen throughout all of Apple's upcoming working techniques. The overhaul is certainly one of a number of huge 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 stored its iOS roadmap targeted extra on primary high quality of life enhancements this yr. There are a number of helpful additions coming to the Cellphone and Messages apps in your iPhone, for example: Apple execs outlined the power to weed out spam texts or different unknown senders and an choice to carry your spot on a cellphone name once you've been ready for a consultant to select up. Plus, a treasured characteristic that we took with no consideration is coming again (trace: it's 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 shouldn't anticipate any main adjustments within the present betas. However there are studies that Apple is aiming to offer Siri an even bigger mind transplant by 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 can be reportedly engaged on a 'stripped-down' AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.
With every beta, it looks as if further new enhancements are popping up, like this FaceTime characteristic 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 and within the Management Heart, MacRumors reports. 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 ultimate model). Wish to see the complete listing 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 — model 18.6 was only recently launched. However don't anticipate to see iOS 19. As a substitute, 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 techniques will likely be launched in late 2025, they're all designated "26" to replicate the yr forward.
What’s Liquid Glass design?
Let's be sincere. Out of every thing introduced at WWDC this yr, the brand new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone's dwelling and lock screens have appeared just about the identical yr after yr — the final thrilling factor (in my view) was the choice so as to add your individual aesthetic to your house display 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, properly, the apps and widgets are clear. Nonetheless, the display can nonetheless adapt to darkish and lightweight modes, relying on environment. You'll additionally discover buttons with a brand new floating design in a number of apps, like Cellphone 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 path, even when it's considerably paying homage 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 no less than some locations. And whereas it can proceed to evolve, Apple customers gained't be capable of escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes extra cohesive. Right here's a take 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 recent options. Among the many most worthwhile:
Cellphone app redesign: You'll lastly be capable of scroll via contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display. It additionally comes with a brand new characteristic referred to as Maintain Help that'll notify you when an agent involves the cellphone so you possibly can keep away from the elevator music and proceed on with different duties.
Stay Translation in Cellphone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the power to have a dialog by way of cellphone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Stay Translation will translate your dialog in actual time, which leads to some stop-and-go interactions within the examples Apple shared throughout its presentation.
Polls in group chats: Bored with sorting via what looks as if tons of of messages in your group chat? You and your folks will quickly be capable of create polls in group messages for deciding issues like which brunch spot you're consuming at or whose automobile you're taking up a street journey.
Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you happen to haven't obtained spam texts about unpaid tolls or different citations, you're 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 characteristic will assist you to seek for something that's in your iPhone display. As an illustration, when you spot a pair of footwear somebody is carrying in an Instagram photograph, you possibly can screenshot it and use Visible Intelligence to seek 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'll be blissful to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections can have their very own separate areas so that you don't should scroll to infinity to seek out what you're on the lookout for.
FaceTime "Communication Security" characteristic: A more recent addition to iOS 26 seems to be the FaceTime "Communication Security" characteristic that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The characteristic seems to be a toddler security characteristic that makes use of on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privateness points.
New lock screen options: The iPhone lock display will get extra customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper results, extra widgets and higher focus mode choices.
New adjustments coming to iPadOS 26
Your iPad isn't getting left behind relating to huge updates. Right here's what's coming this fall.
Multitasking and actual windowing: Whenever you obtain the latest replace, you'll be capable of have a number of apps operating in your display on the identical time. When you open an app, it'll seem in your display as regular however you'll be capable of resize and transfer it throughout your display to make room for different apps. This characteristic is non-obligatory so you possibly can flip it off when you don't 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, the brand new menu bar will seem with choices like File, Edit, Home windows and extra. There's additionally a search choice when you're on the lookout 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 a number of the extra notable capabilities.
Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this "studio-quality" audio recording, and with it, you'll discover extra readability whereas in noisy environments.
Digicam distant management: Utilizing this, you possibly can take a photograph or begin and cease video recording with only one press in your AirPods. When taking images, you'll get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.
Which iPhones will be capable of improve to iOS 26?
Just a few iPhone fashions that run the present model of iOS — iPhone XR, XS and XS Max — gained't be suitable with the newest improve. However any iPhones launched in 2019 or later will likely be eligible for the iOS 26 replace.
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iPhone SE (second era or later)
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iPhone 11
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iPhone 11 Professional
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iPhone 11 Professional Max
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iPhone 12
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iPhone 12 mini
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iPhone 12 Professional
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iPhone 12 Professional Max
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iPhone 13
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iPhone 13 mini
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iPhone 13 Professional
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iPhone 13 Professional Max
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iPhone 14
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iPhone 14 Plus
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iPhone 14 Professional
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iPhone 14 Professional Max
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iPhone 15
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iPhone 15 Plus
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iPhone 15 Professional
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iPhone 15 Professional Max
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iPhone 16e
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iPhone 16
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iPhone 16 Plus
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iPhone 16 Professional
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iPhone 16 Professional Max
Not listed below are the presumed new iPhone 17 fashions (or possibly iPhone 26?) which might be all however sure to be introduced and launched in September.
set up iOS 26 beta
The iOS 26 public beta is now obtainable to obtain by way of the Apple Beta Software program Program. If you happen to're not already a member, you'll want to enroll to check out all the newest options. Simply go to beta.apple.com and join together with your cellphone quantity or e mail handle. It's free.
When you're in, you possibly can set up it by going to Settings > Common > Software program Replace and choosing iOS 26 public beta.
A phrase of warning: Don't join together with your foremost iPhone except you're OK with any dangers that happen with utilizing an OS that isn't finalized.
When will the ultimate model of iOS 26 be launched?
iOS 26 will likely be launched to the general public this fall. It often 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.
If you happen to're extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, right here's every thing Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and extra throughout WWDC. Additionally, try how iOS 26 screenshots could possibly 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 characteristic on passcode display 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 obtainable.
Replace, July 24: Famous the iOS 26 public beta is now obtainable.
Replace, July 3: Famous new FaceTime characteristic discovered within the developer beta.
Replace, June 30: Famous ongoing iOS 18 releases, and studies that Apple is contemplating further exterior LLMs for Siri.
Replace, June 25: Famous adjustments added in iOS 26 beta 2.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cell/ios-26-and-ipados-26-public-beta-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-apple-updates-135749093.html?src=rss