Apple has officially unveiled iOS 26, the next major update for iPhones. The update brings a redesigned interface, new privacy-focused AI features, and improvements across core apps like Messages, Phone, Maps, and CarPlay. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes.
1. A New Look with ‘Liquid Glass’ Design
- iOS 26 introduces a system-wide design refresh using a new material called Liquid Glass, which adds translucent effects to app icons, widgets, and controls.
- Lock Screen and Home Screen now offer more personalisation, including spatial wallpapers that shift with iPhone movement and customisable icon styles.
- The Camera app has a simplified interface, and apps like Safari, Apple Music, and Podcasts get updated navigation layouts for better visibility.
2. Apple Intelligence Gets Visual and Contextual
- Apple’s on-device AI now includes Live Translation in Phones, Messages, and FaceTime, allowing real-time text and audio translations.
- Visual Intelligence enables users to take action based on what’s on-screen — for example, adding events directly to the calendar or identifying products.
- New tools like Genmoji and Image Playground allow for creative emoji combinations and image generation.
- AI-powered Smart Shortcuts and automatic order tracking summaries in Mail also arrive with iOS 26.
3. Messages and Phone App Get Smarter
- The Phone app now has a unified view of contacts, records, and voicemails.
- Call Screening uses AI to collect caller information before a user picks up.
- Hold Assist monitors calls on hold and alerts users when a human picks up.
In Messages:
- Unknown senders are sorted into a separate folder with options to screen or delete them.
- Users can now set custom chat backgrounds, create polls, and see typing indicators in group chats.
- Apple Intelligence suggests when a poll might be useful and can create visuals to match chat moods.
4. Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet Get Helpful Additions
- Apple Music adds Lyrics Translation and a new AutoMix feature for seamless DJ-style transitions.
- Maps introduce Visited Places to log previous locations privately and provide smarter route suggestions.
- In Wallet, users can now manage instalment payments, and boarding passes display real-time updates and tools like Find My for lost baggage.
5. Apple Games App Makes Its Debut
- Apple Games is a new hub for all games on the device, including Apple Arcade titles. It helps users stay updated on events and track progress across multiple games.
6. CarPlay Updates for Safer Navigation
- CarPlay now shows compact incoming call views and supports pinned chats and Tapbacks in Messages.
- Widgets and Live Activities offer glanceable updates while driving.
- These features extend to CarPlay Ultra, a deeper integration for next-gen in-car systems.
7. AirPods and Camera Remote Integration
- AirPods gain studio-quality recording and camera remote controls. Users can now take photos or record videos using AirPods with a long press.
8. Improved Parental Controls and Safety Features
- Parents can more easily manage Child Accounts with stricter controls on downloads and communication.
- Sensitive images in FaceTime or Shared Albums are now automatically blurred.
9. New Accessibility Features
- Accessibility Reader offers customisable reading options.
- Braille Access provides a new interface for users with connected braille displays.
- Updates also come to Live Listen, Personal Voice, and Background Sounds.
10. Safari Gets Even More Private
- Advanced anti-fingerprinting protections now apply to all browsing by default, enhancing online privacy.
Availability
iOS 26 is currently available to developers, with a public beta expected to follow next month. The official release is expected this autumn for iPhone 11 and newer models. Apple Intelligence features, however, will be limited to newer hardware, such as the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 series, and select M1-powered iPads and Macs. Additional language and regional support will be rolled out later this year.
