iOS 26: Apple's AI-Powered Update Brings Liquid Glass Design and Enhanced Intelligence Features

iOS 26: Everything to know about Apple's upcoming iPhone and iPad updates

In presumably less than a month, the annual Apple iPhone event will be here, giving us a first look at the iPhone 17 lineup. With that should come the official date for downloading the latest software update, iOS 26. While you wait, you can download and install the newly released public beta 4 (or iOS 26 developer beta 7 for developers). I've been playing around with it for the past couple of weeks, and have found that taking screenshots is way better in the new operating system -- Google and ChatGPT search options are now in the screenshots editor, for instance. You can see a more complete view of the new features in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta release, which shows off the fresh home and lock screen redesign. Called Liquid Glass, the translucent look will extend across all of Apple's upcoming operating systems. The overhaul is one of several big changes coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the rest of Apple's software suite, all of which were showcased during the company's WWDC keynote on June 9. After overpromising on AI plans last year, Apple kept its iOS roadmap focused more on basic quality of life improvements this year. There are multiple useful additions coming to the Phone and Messages apps on your iPhone, for instance: Apple execs outlined the ability to weed out spam texts or other unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. Plus, a treasured feature that we took for granted is coming back (hint: it's in the Photos app). Siri, meanwhile, is in a holding pattern. Apple has previously specified that its smarter voice assistant -- first promised at WWDC 2024 -- is delayed until some point "in the coming year," so you shouldn't expect any major changes in the current betas. But there are reports that Apple is aiming to give Siri a bigger brain transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude, which could make 2026 a pivotal year. The company is also reportedly working on a 'stripped-down' AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT. With each beta, it seems like additional new improvements are popping up, like this new AirPods gesture we're all curious about, and this FaceTime feature that'll freeze your video if it detects nudity. With the release of the iOS 26 developer beta 5, we saw more added features, like a new bouncy animation on the passcode screen and in the Control Center, MacRumors reports. Some or all of those changes will likely soon migrate into the separate public beta (see below). Most newer iPhone models are eligible to download iOS 26 (both the betas and final version). Want to see the full list of new features coming this fall? Read on. The current iPhone operating system is iOS 18, and Apple is still actively updating it -- version 18.6.1 was released to restore Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring functionality for certain users in the US. More recently, Apple released 18.6.2 to address a vulnerability related to image processing. Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors reports, which means it can no longer be installed on your iPhone due to a "server-side software verification check." That's pretty normal when newer versions are available to download. But don't expect to see iOS 19 soon -- or ever. Instead, Apple is skipping the numbering ahead to iOS 26 later this year. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems will be released in late 2025, they're all designated "26" to reflect the year ahead. Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year -- the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing. So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a "new translucent material" since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see. While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some -- including Engadget's own Devindra Hardawar -- like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago. That said, as of the release of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes more cohesive. Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the new macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop. iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile: Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks. Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation. Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends will soon be able to create polls in group messages for deciding things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip. Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder. Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online. Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's still frustrated with the Photos changes made last year, you'll be happy to know that your tabs are coming back. Library and Collections will have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for. FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature: A newer addition to iOS 26 appears to be the FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The feature appears to be a child safety feature that uses on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privacy issues. New lock screen options: The iPhone lock screen gets more customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options. Your iPad isn't getting left behind when it comes to big updates. Here's what's coming this fall. Multitasking and real windowing: When you download the newest update, you'll be able to have multiple apps running on your screen at the same time. Once you open an app, it'll appear on your screen as normal but you'll be able to resize and move it across your screen to make room for other apps. This feature is optional so you can turn it off if you don't like it. Visual update: Along with the other new OSes, iPadOS 26 is coming with the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new look will appear on the lock and home screens, as well as the drop-down menus. New menu bar: When you swipe down on your screen, the new menu bar will appear with options like File, Edit, Windows and more. There's also a search option if you're looking for something specific. Check out our first impressions of iPadOS 26. AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Here are some of the more notable functions. Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this "studio-quality" audio recording, and with it, you'll notice more clarity while in noisy environments. Camera remote control: Using this, you can take a photo or start and stop video recording with just one press on your AirPods. When taking photos, you'll get a three-second countdown before your iPhone or iPad snaps the picture. Live translation feature: While not officially announced or confirmed, it appears that the long-rumored live translation for AirPods could be coming with iOS 26. The evidence comes from a system asset spotted in the in iOS 26 beta showing a gesture that's triggered by pressing both earbud stems at the same time. The photo also shows words in several different languages. A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS -- iPhone XR, XS and XS Max -- won't be compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones released in 2019 or later will be eligible for the iOS 26 update. Not listed here are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or maybe iPhone 26?) that are all but certain to be announced and released in September. The iOS 26 public beta is now available to download via the Apple Beta Software Program. If you're not already a member, you'll need to sign up to try out all the latest features. Just visit beta.apple.com and sign up with your phone number or email address. It's free. Once you're in, you can install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and selecting iOS 26 public beta. A word of caution: Don't sign up with your main iPhone unless you're OK with any risks that occur with using an OS that isn't finalized. iOS 26 will be released to the public this fall. It usually comes in September, within a week of the Apple iPhone event. Last year, it rolled out to iPhone users on September 16 -- exactly one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was announced. If you're more interested in the Apple Intelligence features coming, here's everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more during WWDC. Also, check out how iOS 26 screenshots could be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework. Update, August 22: Noted that Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6. Update, August 20: Noted that iOS 26 public beta 4 and iOS 18.6.2 are now available to download. Update, August 18: Added details about a potential iOS 18.6 update. Update, August 15: Added to link to what to expect at the Apple iPhone event and details about what's available in the iOS 26 screenshots editor. Update, August 6: Noted the release of iOS 26 beta 5 and the new bouncy feature on passcode screen and Control Center. Update, June 30: Noted ongoing iOS 18 releases, and reports that Apple is considering additional external LLMs for Siri.

Apple Intelligence gets 20+ brand new features in iOS 26, here's the full list - 9to5Mac

Apple Intelligence may not yet include the major Siri upgrades that were promised, but there are a ton of other new features coming in iOS 26. Here's everything new Apple Intelligence currently offers just over 20 features, but in iOS 26 there are another 20+ new features and improvements coming -- all in a single software release. Here's the full list of new AI features across four categories: Communication is a big focus with Apple Intelligence in iOS 26, bringing upgrades to the Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps. Apple is expanding the reach of Apple Intelligence to new system and third-party apps in iOS 26, plus supporting new languages. Apple's Genmoji and Image Playground features are getting several upgrades in iOS 26. Rounding out Apple Intelligence's iOS 26 update, there's a new battery mode, powerful visual intelligence changes, and expanded notification summaries. Apple also has several watchOS 26 Apple Intelligence features coming that require iOS 26 to run the AI models, so those could be considered iOS features too. Last year when Apple Intelligence launched, it supported a small number of very recent iPhone models. There's good news and bad news with iOS 26: That means you'll need an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 model to get the new features. Which new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 26 are your favorites? Let us know in the comments.

Apple drops iOS 26 with massive updates -- see what's new for iPhone and iPad users

iOS 26 new features latest update 2025: Apple is set to announce the release date for iOS 26. This update brings a redesigned home and lock screen. It is called Liquid Glass. The update includes smarter features and improvements. Users can expect better spam filtering and screenshot search. iPadOS 26 will introduce full windowing capability. iPhones from 2019 onwards will support iOS 26. iOS 26 new features latest update 2025: Apple will soon be formally revealing the date for downloading iOS 26, which is going to be one of the year's largest updates for iPhone and iPad users, as per a report. First previewed in June's WWDC keynote and now available as a public beta, iOS 26 introduces a home and lock screen redesign called Liquid Glass, smarter built-in features, and significant improvements that get everyday things done faster and more easily, according to a Engadget report. From a revamped lock screen to better spam filtering and even built-in screenshot search functionality powered by Google and ChatGPT, Apple is at last launching updates that include several big changes coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the rest of Apple's software suite, as per the report. ALSO READ: 10 must-change iOS 18.6 settings that'll make your iPhone feel like day one again Among the most apparent shifts in iOS 26 is a fresh "Liquid Glass" aesthetic. It provides your iPhone or iPad with a foggy, layered appearance, with app icons and widgets suspended subtly above your background. It's a full transformation of the home and lock screens, something that hasn't changed in years. The look has evoked some controversy among users, but Apple is already refining it based on initial criticism. The organization has toned back a bit of transparency in some places, and the design will likely see further refinement through subsequent updates. ALSO READ: Leaked: iPhone 17 Pro Max internal design shows game-changing metal battery, hints at big redesign iOS 26 brings a number of significant advancements, including: Hold Assist: Your phone will now inform you when a customer service representative returns on the line, so you don't have to be stuck by the phone waiting for long periods of time. Live Translation: If you're on a phone call, FaceTime, or texting via Messages, this feature is live-translating your conversation as it happens. Visual Intelligence: This new feature allows you to search the web with just a screenshot. Take a photo of something you want, and your iPhone will assist you in finding it on the web. Polls in Group Chats: Great for planning with friends, you can now send quick polls in Messages to assist your group in deciding on restaurants or meeting times. Spam Message Filtering: iOS 26 automatically filters out suspicious or unfamiliar messages into a different folder, leaving your inbox tidier. Photos App Update: The Library and Collections tabs have returned, making it simpler to locate and group your photos. ALSO READ: Big change: 500,000 older Americans will now get Social Security checks online - here's the scoop iPad users will not be forgotten as iPadOS 26 introduces full windowing capability, resize and move apps at will across the screen, and a new menu bar that brings multitasking closer to the desktop experience. Liquid Glass design comes to iPad, too, bringing together the look and feel of all Apple products. AirPods are also receiving a few useful new features: ALSO READ: Google's Gemini can now talk -- new audio tool reads your Docs out loud with ease Apple is bypassing iOS 19 through 25 and going directly to iOS 26 as the company is moving to an annual naming convention, so this release is being associated with the year 2026, similar to how car models are named. If you were expecting a powerful new AI version of Siri this fall, you'll have to wait a bit longer. Apple says the upgraded assistant is coming sometime in 2026. Meanwhile, the company is reportedly testing integration with AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic, and working on a 'stripped-down' AI chatbot to take on ChatGPT. ALSO READ: Apple just dropped 2 free iPhone apps with iOS 26, and users can't stop talking about them If you're using an iPhone from 2019 or later, you'll likely be eligible for iOS 26, but models like the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max won't get the update, as per the Engadget report. The following models are compatible: To test iOS 26 yourself, enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program on beta.apple.com. After enrolling, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone and choose the iOS 26 public beta to install. Will my iPhone support iOS 26? If your phone is from 2019 or later (iPhone 11 and up) it will, but older models like XR or XS are not supported, as per the Engadget report. Can I use the new features on iPad too? Yes. iPadOS 26 includes many of the same features, plus multitasking upgrades, as per the Engadget report.

iOS 26 update: These Apple Intelligence features are coming to your iPhones soon

New Adaptive Power Mode boosts battery life, Maps and Reminders get smarter, and Visual Intelligence adds ChatGPT to screenshots. Apple is preparing to roll out iOS 26, its next major software update, next month. The company has already released beta versions to try out the features and fix the bugs. With the latest iOS 26 beta 7, update rolling out, the company has revealed several key upgrades to Apple Intelligence. Over 20 new AI-powered features are likely to be added to the AI tool. The iOS 26, first introduced at Apple's annual developer conference in June, will ship alongside the iPhone 17 series this September. Here is all you need to know. iOS 26 will add smarter communication with Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, receiving notable enhancements. Live two-way translation will now work seamlessly in both text and calls, while the Messages app is adding AI-suggested polls, natural language search, and support for custom AI-generated backgrounds. Voicemail will also get automatic summaries, providing quick overviews of transcripts. Additionally, Apple Maps will feature improved AI-powered search, while Reminders will get the ability to categorise lists automatically and suggest new entries based on emails or notes. The Wallet app will be able to track orders, even pulling details directly from inboxes. Importantly, third-party developers can also integrate Apple's Foundation Models into their apps. Apple Intelligence will get eight new language supports, including Danish, Dutch, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Further, creative AI tools like Image Playground will receive ChatGPT integration for custom image generation. Genmoji, Apple's personalised emoji setup, allows users to mix multiple emojis, adjust facial expressions, and add personal attributes like eyewear or facial hair. These updates make AI-generated visuals more expressive and customizable. Apart from these, iOS 26 will also add a new Adaptive Power Mode that uses AI optimisations to extend battery life. Visual Intelligence will enhance screenshots with features like "Ask ChatGPT" and image search. Notification summaries, previously limited to certain apps, will now extend to categories such as news and entertainment. Apple Intelligence will only be supported on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as well as the iPhone 16 series and the upcoming iPhone 17 lineups.