It's true: Apple's iOS 26 (not iOS 19) is coming your approach this fall with some cool new options you'll need to attempt. Right here's what we're enthusiastic about: the iPhone is lastly getting a recent house and lock display redesign dubbed Liquid Glass, a feel and appear that may lengthen throughout all of Apple's upcoming working programs. The overhaul was considered one of a number of huge adjustments coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple's software program suite, all of which had been showcased in the course of the firm's WWDC keynote on June 9. When you're a developer, you possibly can take a look at the iOS 26 beta 2 now; the general public beta coming in July.
After overpromising on AI plans at WWDC 2024, Apple saved its iOS roadmap targeted extra on fundamental high quality of life enhancements this 12 months. 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 choose up. Plus, a treasured function that we took as a right is coming again (trace: it's within the Photographs app).
Hold studying to take a look at probably the most notable options coming to your iPhone this fall, in accordance with Apple. Additionally, be certain that your iPhone is eligible to obtain the iOS 26 replace (fortunately, most up-to-date fashions are).
What’s iOS 26?
Whereas the present iPhone working system is iOS 18, Apple is skipping the numbering forward to iOS 26 later this 12 months. The corporate has determined to line up its iOS model numbers with a year-based system, just like automobile mannequin years. So whereas iOS and its sibling working programs shall be launched in late 2025, they're all designated "26" to mirror the 12 months forward.
What’s Liquid Glass design?
Let's be trustworthy. Out of all the pieces introduced at WWDC this 12 months, the brand new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone's house and lock screens have regarded just about the identical 12 months after 12 months — the final thrilling factor (in my view) was the choice so as to add your individual aesthetic to your property 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 lightweight 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 straightforward 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's considerably paying homage to Microsoft's translucent Home windows Vista Aero designs from practically twenty years in the past.
That stated, as of the newly launched iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already integrated some person suggestions into the design, dialing again the transparency in no less than some locations. And whereas it should proceed to evolve, Apple customers received't be capable 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 record of latest options. Among the many most worthwhile:
Telephone app redesign: You'll lastly be capable to scroll via contacts, latest calls and voicemail messages all on one display. It additionally comes with a brand new function 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.
Dwell Translation in Telephone, 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. 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 via what looks as if a whole bunch of messages in your group chat? You and your pals will quickly be capable 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 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 function will permit you to seek for something that's in your iPhone display. As an example, if you happen to spot a pair of footwear somebody is sporting in an Instagram picture, you possibly can screenshot it and use Visible Intelligence to search out these footwear (or comparable ones) on-line.
Photographs tabs are again: For anybody who's nonetheless annoyed with the Photographs adjustments made final 12 months, you'll be glad to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections could have their very own separate areas so that you don't must scroll to infinity to search out what you're in search of.
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 — received't be suitable with the most recent improve. However any iPhones launched in 2019 or later shall be eligible for the iOS 26 replace.
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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 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 perhaps iPhone 26?) which might be all however sure to be introduced and launched in September.
When will the iOS 26 beta be obtainable?
The iOS 26 public beta will turn into obtainable in July by way of the Apple Beta Software program Program. When 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 together with your cellphone quantity or e mail tackle. It's free.
When you're in and the beta is obtainable, you possibly can set up it by going to Settings > Basic > Software program Replace and choosing iOS 26 public beta.
A phrase of warning: Don't join together with your most important 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 shall be launched to the general public this fall. It normally is available in September, inside every week of the Apple iPhone occasion. Final 12 months, 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 all the pieces Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and extra 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, June 25: Famous adjustments added in iOS 26 beta 2.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cell/apple-released-ios-26-beta-2-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-iphone-operating-system-135749886.html?src=rss