Tomorrow, September 9, marks Apple's iPhone 17 occasion. Meaning we'll lastly have extra solutions concerning the presumed iPhone 17 lineup — together with the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. Excited about following alongside? Right here's how one can watch the iPhone 17 launch.
Assuming Apple sticks to custom, we must always be capable to set up iOS 26 a few week or so after the showcase. However you don't have to attend to check out the brand new options, since you may 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 launch for more information.) The very first thing you'll discover is a brand new clear design language Apple dubs Liquid Glass. The translucent look could be discovered inside apps in addition to your lock and residential screens. The overhaul is one in every of a number of massive adjustments coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple's software program suite
After overpromising on AI plans final yr, Apple stored its iOS roadmap centered extra on primary high quality of life enhancements with iOS 26. There are a number of helpful additions coming to the Telephone and Messages apps, for example: Apple execs outlined the flexibility to weed out spam texts or unknown senders and an possibility to carry your spot on a cellphone name once you've been ready for a consultant to choose up.
It looks as if extra new enhancements are popping up (or not less than hinted at) with every beta, akin to an AirPods reside translation characteristic and a brand new bouncy animation on the passcode display and within the Management Middle. A few of these adjustments have already migrated into the separate public beta. Most newer iPhone fashions are eligible to obtain iOS 26 (each the betas and ultimate model). We've rounded up a full listing of latest options coming this fall under.
What’s iOS 26?
The present iPhone working system is iOS 18, which Apple remains to be actively updating — model 18.6.1 was launched final month, for instance, to revive Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring performance for sure customers within the US. Extra lately, Apple launched iOS 18.6.2 to deal with a vulnerability associated to picture processing. Apple has formally stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors reports, which implies it could not be put in in your iPhone resulting from a "server-side software program verification test." That's fairly regular when newer variations can be found to obtain.
However don't count on to ever see an iOS 19. As a substitute, Apple is skipping its naming conference forward to iOS 26. (Apple can also be anticipated to launch iOS 18.7 on the similar time, per MacRumors, to deal with safety points.) The corporate has determined to line up its iOS model numbers with a year-based system, much like automotive mannequin years. So whereas iOS and its sibling working methods might 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 all the pieces introduced at WWDC this yr, the brand new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone's house 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 own 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, properly, 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 Devindra Hardawar — like the brand new course, 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 not less than some locations. And whereas it’s going to proceed to evolve, Apple customers gained't be capable to escape it: The corporate says Liquid Glass was designed to make all of its platforms extra cohesive. Right here's a have 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 be capable to scroll by means of 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.
Stay Translation in Telephone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the flexibility 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 by means of what looks as if tons of of messages in your group chat? You and your folks will quickly be capable to create polls in group messages for deciding issues like which brunch spot you're consuming at or whose automotive you're taking over a highway journey.
Filtering unknown senders in Messages: In the event 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 can help you seek for something that's in your iPhone display. As an example, when you spot a pair of footwear somebody is carrying in an Instagram picture, you may screenshot it and use Visible Intelligence to seek out these footwear (or comparable ones) on-line.
Images tabs are again: For anybody who's been pissed off with final yr's adjustments to the Images app, you'll be joyful to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections may have their very own separate areas so that you don't must scroll to infinity to seek out what you're in search of.
Camera app updates: Navigating the Digicam app must be easier in iOS 26, as all of the buttons and menus are in handy spots — much less swiping, extra picture taking. Plus, there's a brand new characteristic that tells you in case your lens must be cleaned.
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 alarm setting: You'll not be caught with the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms. As a substitute, you'll have the choice to alter your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.
Screenshots look different: You'll discover a number of new options once you take a screenshot, together with "spotlight to look," the choice to look your picture on Google and ChatGPT is there for any questions you have got concerning the picture.
New adjustments coming to iPadOS 26
Your iPad isn't getting left behind in relation to massive updates. Right here's what's coming this fall.
Multitasking and actual windowing: If you obtain the latest replace, you'll be capable 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 be capable to resize and transfer it throughout your display to make room for different apps. This characteristic is elective so you may 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: 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 possibility when you're in search of one thing particular.
There's extra past that, so remember to take a look at 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 may take a photograph or begin and cease video recording with only one press in your AirPods. When taking pictures, you'll get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.
Stay translation characteristic: Whereas not formally introduced or confirmed, it seems that the long-rumored reside translation for AirPods could possibly 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 picture additionally exhibits phrases in a number of totally different languages.
Coronary heart charge monitoring (rumored for now): Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Professional earbuds this yr, which may have coronary heart charge monitoring. It might work with Apple's Well being app and different health apps that monitor coronary heart charges.
Will Siri get an replace?
Siri 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 adjustments within the present betas. However there are studies that Apple is aiming to provide Siri a much 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 also be reportedly engaged on a "stripped-down" AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.
Which iPhones will be capable to improve to iOS 26?
A number of iPhone fashions that run the present model of iOS — iPhone XR, XS and XS Max — gained't be suitable with the most recent improve. However any iPhones from 2019 or later might be eligible for iOS 26:
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iPhone SE (second technology 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 4 presumed iPhone 17 fashions 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 accessible to obtain by way of the Apple Beta Software program Program. In the event you're not already a member, you'll want to enroll to check out all the most recent options. Simply go to beta.apple.com and join along with your cellphone quantity or e mail handle. It's 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: Don't join along with your fundamental 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 might be launched to the general public this fall. It normally is available in September, inside every 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. For the reason that iPhone 17 occasion falls on September 9 this yr, it's attainable the downloads will hit our telephones on September 16.
In the event you're extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, right here's all the pieces Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and extra throughout WWDC. Additionally, take a look at how iOS 26 screenshots could possibly be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework.
Replace, September 8: Famous the iPhone 17 occasion is tomorrow.
Replace, September 4: Added particulars about how screenshots are totally different in iOS 26.
Replace, September 3: Famous Apple is predicted to launch iOS 18.7 alongside iOS 26.
Replace, September 2: Added extra new options coming with iOS 26.
Replace, August 29: Added new part about Siri and a hyperlink to what's new with the iOS 26 Digicam app.
Replace, August 27: Added the official iPhone 17 occasion date, in addition to the potential iOS 26 launch.
Replace, August 25: Added a rumor about new AirPods Professional having coronary heart charge monitoring.
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 at the moment are accessible to obtain.
Replace, August 18: Added particulars a few potential iOS 18.6 replace.
Replace, August 15: Added to hyperlink to what to anticipate on the Apple iPhone occasion and particulars about what's accessible 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 accessible.
Replace, July 24: Famous the iOS 26 public beta is now accessible.
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 extra 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/cellular/ios-26-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-iphone-update-ahead-of-the-apple-event-tomorrow-135749241.html?src=rss