Subsequent month, we'll lastly get the choice to obtain iOS 26 on our iPhones (screenshots are approach higher within the newest working system!). Till then, you’ll be able to obtain and set up the newly launched public beta 2 (or iOS 26 developer beta 6 for builders). Throughout Apple's latest earnings name, CEO Tim Prepare dinner stated its assortment of upcoming beta working programs (together with iOS) are "by far the most well-liked developer betas we’ve had," 9to5Mac reports. You too can check out our preview of the iOS 26 public beta launch, which exhibits off the recent house and lock display screen redesign. Referred to as Liquid Glass, the brand new translucent look will lengthen throughout all of Apple's upcoming working programs. 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, all of which had been showcased throughout the firm's WWDC keynote on June 9.
After overpromising on AI plans final 12 months, Apple saved its iOS roadmap centered extra on primary high quality of life enhancements this 12 months. There are a number of helpful additions coming to the Cellphone and Messages apps in your iPhone, as an illustration: 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 whenever you've been ready for a consultant to select up. Plus, a treasured function that we took without any 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 12 months," so that you shouldn't count on any main adjustments within the present betas. However there are studies that Apple is aiming to offer 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 12 months. 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 inquisitive about, and this FaceTime function 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 screen and within the Management Middle, MacRumors reports. Some or all of these adjustments will possible quickly migrate into the separate public beta (see under). Most newer iPhone fashions are eligible to obtain iOS 26 (each the betas and ultimate model). Wish to see the total 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 recently launched. However don't count on to see iOS 19. As a substitute, 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 replicate 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 seemed just about the identical 12 months after 12 months — the final thrilling factor (for my part) was the choice so as to add your individual aesthetic to your property 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, effectively, the apps and widgets are clear. Nonetheless, the display screen 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 route, 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 discharge of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already integrated some person suggestions into the design, dialing again the transparency in not less than some locations. And whereas it can 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 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:
Cellphone app redesign: You'll lastly be capable of scroll by 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.
Stay 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. 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 what looks as if tons of of messages in your group chat? You and your mates 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 over a highway 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 function will assist you to seek for something that's in your iPhone display screen. As an illustration, for those who spot a pair of footwear somebody is sporting in an Instagram picture, you’ll be able to 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 12 months, you'll be joyful 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 seek out what you're in search of.
FaceTime "Communication Security" function: A more recent 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 adjustments coming to iPadOS 26
Your iPad isn't getting left behind relating to massive updates. Right here's what's coming this fall.
Multitasking and actual windowing: If you obtain the most recent replace, you'll be capable of have a number of apps working 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 non-compulsory so you’ll be able to flip it off for those who 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 for those who're in search of 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 images, you'll get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.
Stay translation function: Whereas not formally introduced or confirmed, it seems that the long-rumored dwell 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 displaying 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.
Which iPhones will be capable of 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 appropriate 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 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 might be all however sure to be introduced and launched in September.
How you can set up iOS 26 beta
The iOS 26 public beta is now out there 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 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’ll be able to set up it by going to Settings > Common > Software program Replace and deciding on 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 shall be launched to the general public this fall. It normally is available in September, inside per 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, 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 out there.
Replace, July 24: Famous the iOS 26 public beta is now out there.
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/ios-26-public-beta-2-adds-new-apple-features-everything-to-know-about-the-apple-iphone-updates-135749765.html?src=rss