On the iPhone occasion anticipated subsequent month (right here's what to anticipate), Apple will lastly announce after we can obtain iOS 26 on our iPhones. Till then, you may obtain and set up the newly launched public beta 2 (or iOS 26 developer beta 6 for builders). I've been enjoying round with it for the previous couple of weeks, and have discovered that taking screenshots is approach higher within the new working system — Google and ChatGPT search choices are actually within the screenshots editor, for example. You may see a extra full view of the brand new options in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta launch, which reveals off the contemporary dwelling and lock display redesign. Known as Liquid Glass, the brand new translucent look will prolong throughout all of Apple's upcoming working techniques. The overhaul is one among a number of massive modifications coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple's software program suite, all of which have been showcased in the course of the firm's WWDC keynote on June 9.
After overpromising on AI plans final yr, Apple stored 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, 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 while 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 Pictures 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 count on any main modifications within the present betas. However there are reviews that Apple is aiming to provide Siri an even 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 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 in, and 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 Middle, MacRumors reports. Some or all of these modifications will possible 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). Need to see the complete listing of latest options coming this fall? Learn on.
What’s iOS 26?
The present iPhone working system is iOS 18, and Apple remains to be actively updating it — model 18.6 was only in the near past launched. However don't count on 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 mirror the yr forward.
What’s Liquid Glass design?
Let's be sincere. Out of every little 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 seemed 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 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, nicely, the apps and widgets are clear. Nevertheless, the display can nonetheless adapt to darkish and light-weight modes, relying on environment. You'll 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 path, even when it's considerably harking back to Microsoft's translucent Home windows Vista Aero designs from practically twenty years in the past.
That stated, as of the discharge of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already included some consumer suggestions into the design, dialing again the transparency in at the least some locations. And whereas it’ll proceed to evolve, Apple customers received't have the ability to 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 latest options. Among the many most worthwhile:
Telephone app redesign: You'll lastly have the ability to scroll by contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display. It additionally comes with a brand new characteristic known as Maintain Help that'll notify you when an agent involves the cellphone so you may keep away from the elevator music and proceed on with different duties.
Dwell Translation in Telephone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the power to have a dialog through cellphone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Dwell 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: Uninterested in sorting by what looks as if a whole lot of messages in your group chat? You and your folks will quickly have the ability to create polls in group messages for deciding issues like which brunch spot you're consuming at or whose automobile you're taking over a street journey.
Filtering unknown senders in Messages: When you haven't acquired 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 permit you to seek for something that's in your iPhone display. As an example, should you spot a pair of footwear somebody is carrying in an Instagram photograph, you may screenshot it and use Visible Intelligence to search out these footwear (or related ones) on-line.
Pictures tabs are again: For anybody who's nonetheless pissed off with the Pictures modifications made final yr, you'll be pleased to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections can have their very own separate areas so that you don't must scroll to infinity to search out what you're on the lookout for.
FaceTime "Communication Security" characteristic: A more moderen 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 modifications coming to iPadOS 26
Your iPad isn't getting left behind on the subject of massive updates. Right here's what's coming this fall.
Multitasking and actual windowing: If you obtain the most recent replace, you'll have the ability to have a number of apps operating in your display on the similar time. When you open an app, it'll seem in your display as regular however you'll have the ability to resize and transfer it throughout your display to make room for different apps. This characteristic is optionally available so you may flip it off should 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: If 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 should you're on the lookout for one thing particular.
Take a look at our first impressions of iPadOS 26.
What about AirPods?
AirPods are additionally getting up to date with iOS 26. Listed below are a few of the extra notable features.
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 may 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.
Dwell translation characteristic: Whereas not formally introduced or confirmed, it seems that the long-rumored reside translation for AirPods may very well be coming with iOS 26. The proof comes from a system asset noticed within the in iOS 26 beta exhibiting a gesture that's triggered by urgent each earbud stems on the similar time. The photograph additionally reveals phrases in a number of completely different languages.
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 — received't be appropriate 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 16
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iPhone 16 Plus
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iPhone 16 Professional
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iPhone 16 Professional Max
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iPhone 16e
Not listed below are the presumed new iPhone 17 fashions (or perhaps iPhone 26?) which are all however sure to be introduced and launched in September.
Learn how to set up iOS 26 beta
The iOS 26 public beta is now obtainable to obtain through the Apple Beta Software program Program. When you're not already a member, you'll want to enroll to check out all the newest options. Simply go to beta.apple.com and enroll along with your cellphone quantity or e-mail tackle. It's free.
When you're in, you may set up it by going to Settings > Basic > Software program Replace and choosing iOS 26 public beta.
A phrase of warning: Don't enroll along with your primary iPhone until 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 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, right here's every little thing Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and extra throughout WWDC. Additionally, try how iOS 26 screenshots may very well be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework.
Replace, August 15: Added to hyperlink to what to anticipate on the Apple iPhone occasion and particulars about what's obtainable 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 and Management Middle.
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 reviews that Apple is contemplating extra exterior LLMs for Siri.
Replace, June 25: Famous modifications added in iOS 26 beta 2.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cellular/ios-26-public-beta-2-is-now-available-to-download-everything-to-know-about-apples-iphone-updates-135749103.html?src=rss