All the pieces to learn about Apple’s iPhone updates

On the iPhone occasion anticipated subsequent month (this is what to anticipate), Apple will lastly announce once we can obtain iOS 26 on our iPhones. Till then, you possibly can obtain and set up the newly launched public beta 2 (or iOS 26 developer beta 6 for builders). I have been enjoying round with it for the previous couple of weeks, and have discovered that taking screenshots is method higher within the new working system — Google and ChatGPT search choices are actually within the screenshots editor, for example. You possibly can see a extra full view of the brand new options in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta launch, which exhibits off the contemporary dwelling and lock display screen redesign. Known as Liquid Glass, the brand new translucent look will lengthen throughout all of Apple’s upcoming working methods. The overhaul is one among a number of large modifications 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.

After overpromising on AI plans final yr, Apple stored its iOS roadmap centered extra on primary high quality of life enhancements this yr. 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 possibility to carry your spot on a cellphone name while you’ve been ready for a consultant to select up. Plus, a treasured characteristic that we took without any consideration is coming again (trace: it is within the Pictures 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 yr,” so that you should not count on any main modifications 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 may make 2026 a pivotal yr. The corporate can also be reportedly engaged on a ‘stripped-down’ AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.

With every beta, it looks as if further new enhancements are popping up, like this new AirPods gesture we’re all interested in, and this FaceTime characteristic 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 studies. Some or all of these modifications 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 complete record 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 in the near past launched. However do not count on to see iOS 19. As a substitute, Apple is skipping the numbering forward to iOS 26 later this yr. 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 shall 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 every thing introduced at WWDC this yr, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone’s dwelling 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 own home 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 lightweight modes, relying on environment. You will 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 path, even when it is considerably paying homage 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 not less than some locations. And whereas it’s going to proceed to evolve, Apple customers will not be capable of escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes extra cohesive. This is 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 will lastly be capable of scroll by contacts, latest calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new characteristic known 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.

Reside Translation in Telephone, 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 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 a whole lot of messages in your group chat? You and your folks will quickly be capable of create polls in group messages for deciding issues like which brunch spot you are consuming at or whose automobile you take on a highway journey.

Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you have not obtained spam texts about unpaid tolls or different citations, you are 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 characteristic will let you seek for something that is in your iPhone display screen. As an illustration, should you spot a pair of footwear somebody is carrying in an Instagram photograph, you possibly can screenshot it and use Visible Intelligence to search out these footwear (or related ones) on-line.

Pictures tabs are again: For anybody who’s nonetheless annoyed with the Pictures modifications made final yr, you may be blissful to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections may have their very own separate areas so you do not have to scroll to infinity to search out what you are on the lookout for.

FaceTime “Communication Security” characteristic: A more moderen addition to iOS 26 seems to be the FaceTime “Communication Security” characteristic that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The characteristic seems to be a baby security characteristic that makes use of on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privateness points.

New lock display screen choices: 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 modifications coming to iPadOS 26

Your iPad is not getting left behind with regards to large updates. This is what’s coming this fall.

Multitasking and actual windowing: If you obtain the most recent replace, you can have a number of apps operating in your display screen on the similar time. When you open an app, it will seem in your display screen as regular however you can resize and transfer it throughout your display screen to make room for different apps. This characteristic is optionally available so you possibly can flip it off should you do not 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 should 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 features.

Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this “studio-quality” audio recording, and with it, you may discover extra readability whereas in noisy environments.

Digicam distant management: Utilizing this, you possibly can take a photograph or begin and cease video recording with only one press in your AirPods. When taking photographs, you may get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.

Reside translation characteristic: Whereas not formally introduced or confirmed, it seems that the long-rumored reside translation for AirPods could possibly be coming with iOS 26. The proof comes from a system asset noticed within the in iOS 26 beta displaying a gesture that is triggered by urgent each earbud stems on the similar time. The photograph additionally exhibits phrases in a number of completely different languages.

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 — will not be appropriate with the newest improve. However any iPhones launched in 2019 or later shall be eligible for the iOS 26 replace.

• iPhone SE (second era or later)

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.

How one can set up iOS 26 beta

The iOS 26 public beta is now out there to obtain through the Apple Beta Software program Program. In case you’re not already a member, you may want to enroll to check out all the newest options. Simply go to beta.apple.com and join together with your cellphone quantity or e mail handle. It is free.

When you’re in, you possibly can set up it by going to Settings > Basic > Software program Replace and deciding on iOS 26 public beta.

A phrase of warning: Do not join together with your foremost iPhone except you are OK with any dangers that happen with utilizing an OS that is not finalized.

When will the ultimate model of iOS 26 be launched?

iOS 26 shall be launched to the general public this fall. It often 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.

In case you’re extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, this is every thing Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and extra throughout WWDC. Additionally, take a look at how iOS 26 screenshots could possibly be an intriguing preview of Apple’s delayed Siri rework.

Replace, August 15: Added to hyperlink to what to anticipate on the Apple iPhone occasion and particulars about what’s out there 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 characteristic 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 characteristic discovered within the developer beta.

Replace, June 30: Famous ongoing iOS 18 releases, and studies that Apple is contemplating further exterior LLMs for Siri.

Replace, June 25: Famous modifications added in iOS 26 beta 2.