The Apple iPhone 17 occasion is now only one week away. On Tuesday, September 9, we'll lastly get to see the brand new iPhone 17 lineup, and — assuming Apple sticks to custom — we should always be capable of set up iOS 26 round every week or so after the occasion. However you don't have to attend to check out the brand new options as a result of you’ll be able to obtain and set up the newly launched public beta 6 (or iOS 26 developer beta 9 for builders). You may see a extra full view of the brand new options in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta launch, which exhibits off the recent house and lock display screen redesign. Known as Liquid Glass, the translucent look will prolong throughout all of Apple's upcoming working methods. The overhaul is one in all a number of large adjustments 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 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, as an example: Apple execs outlined the power to weed out spam texts or different unknown senders and an possibility to carry your spot on a cellphone name once 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 Pictures app).
With every beta, it looks as if extra new enhancements are popping up, like this new AirPods gesture we're all interested in. 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 adjustments 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 closing model). Wish to see the total checklist of latest 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 18.6.1 was launched to revive Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring performance for sure customers within the US. Extra not too long ago, Apple launched 18.6.2 to handle a vulnerability associated to picture processing. Apple has formally stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors reports, which suggests it may possibly not be put in in your iPhone as a result of a "server-side software program verification test." That's fairly regular when newer variations can be found to obtain.
However don't anticipate to see iOS 19 quickly — or ever. As an alternative, Apple is skipping the numbering forward to iOS 26 subsequent month. 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 methods can be launched in late 2025, they're all designated "26" to replicate the yr forward.
What’s Liquid Glass design?
Let's be trustworthy. Out of the whole lot 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 regarded 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 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 materials" since, nicely, the apps and widgets are clear. Nonetheless, the display screen 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 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 route, even when it's considerably harking back to Microsoft's translucent Home windows Vista Aero designs from almost twenty years in the past.
That mentioned, 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 a minimum of some locations. And whereas it’ll proceed to evolve, Apple customers received't be capable of escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes 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 checklist of latest options. Among the many most worthwhile:
Cellphone app redesign: You'll lastly be capable of scroll by way of contacts, latest calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new function known as Maintain Help that'll notify you when an agent involves the cellphone so you’ll be able to keep away from the elevator music and proceed on with different duties.
Reside Translation in Cellphone, 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. 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 way of what looks as if lots of of messages in your group chat? You and your pals 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: Should 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: Just like a reverse Google picture search, this new function will permit you to seek for something that's in your iPhone display screen. As an illustration, when you spot a pair of footwear somebody is sporting in an Instagram picture, you’ll be able to screenshot it and use Visible Intelligence to search out these footwear (or comparable ones) on-line.
Pictures tabs are again: For anybody who's nonetheless pissed off with the Pictures adjustments made final yr, you'll be glad 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 search out what you're on the lookout for.
Camera app updates: Navigating the Digicam app is 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 function that tells you in case your lens must be cleaned.
FaceTime "Communication Security" function: A more moderen addition to iOS 26 seems to be the FaceTime "Communication Security" function that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The function seems to be a baby 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 alarm setting: You'll not be caught with the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms. As an alternative, you'll have the choice to alter your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.
New adjustments coming to iPadOS 26
Your iPad isn't getting left behind with regards to large updates. Right here's what's coming this fall.
Multitasking and actual windowing: If you obtain the latest replace, you'll be capable of have a number of apps operating in your display screen on the similar time. When you open an app, it'll seem in your display screen as regular however you'll be capable of resize and transfer it throughout your display screen to make room for different apps. This function is optionally available so you’ll be able to 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 screen, 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 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 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’ll be able to take a photograph or begin and cease video recording with only one press in your AirPods. When taking photographs, you'll 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 reside translation for AirPods might be coming with iOS 26. The proof comes from a system asset noticed within the in iOS 26 beta displaying a gesture that's triggered by urgent each earbud stems on the similar time. The picture additionally exhibits phrases in a number of completely different languages.
Coronary heart charge monitoring (rumored for now): Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Professional earbuds this yr, which might have coronary heart charge monitoring. It will work with Apple's Well being app and different health apps that observe 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 anticipate any main adjustments within the present betas. However there are studies that Apple is aiming to present Siri a much 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.
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 — received't be appropriate with the newest improve. However any iPhones launched in 2019 or later can 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 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.
The way to set up iOS 26 beta
The iOS 26 public beta is now obtainable to obtain through the Apple Beta Software program Program. Should 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’ll be able to set up it by going to Settings > Basic > Software program Replace and deciding on iOS 26 public beta.
A phrase of warning: Don't enroll along with your 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 can 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.
Should you're extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, right here's the whole lot Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and extra throughout WWDC. Additionally, take a look at how iOS 26 screenshots might be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework.
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 obtainable to obtain.
Replace, August 18: Added particulars a couple of 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 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 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 obtainable.
Replace, July 24: Famous the iOS 26 public beta is now obtainable.
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 adjustments added in iOS 26 beta 2.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cell/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ios-26-features-and-the-upcoming-apple-iphone-update-135749757.html?src=rss