Listed here are all the brand new iPhone options c...

Apple on Tuesday lastly introduced that its iPhone 17 event will happen on Tuesday, September 9. So in slightly below two weeks, we’ll get to take a primary take a look at the brand new iPhone 17 lineup. If Apple retains with custom, count on to see iOS 26 out there for obtain about one week after the occasion. If you cannot wait any longer, you possibly can download and install the newly launched public beta 5 (or iOS 26 developer beta 8 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, in addition to attending to choose how long you snooze. You possibly can see a extra full view of the brand new options in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta release, which exhibits off the recent residence and lock display screen redesign. Referred to as Liquid Glass, the translucent look will lengthen throughout all of Apple’s upcoming working techniques. The overhaul is certainly one of a number of huge modifications coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple’s software program suite, all of which have 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 fundamental high quality of life enhancements this yr. There are a number of helpful additions coming to the Telephone 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 choice to carry your spot on a cellphone name whenever you’ve been ready for a consultant to choose up. Plus, a treasured characteristic that we took as a right is coming again (trace: it is 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 “in the coming year,” so that you should not count on any main modifications within the present betas. However there are experiences that Apple is aiming to offer Siri an even bigger mind transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude, which might 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 extra 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 reports. Some or all of these modifications will doubtless quickly migrate into the separate public beta (see under). Most newer iPhone fashions are eligible to download iOS 26 (each the betas and remaining model). Need to see the complete checklist of recent 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 restore Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring performance for sure customers within the US. Extra lately, Apple released 18.6.2 to deal with a vulnerability associated to picture processing. Apple has formally stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors reports, which suggests it could actually now not be put in in your iPhone attributable to a “server-side software program verification test.” That is fairly regular when newer variations can be found to obtain.

However do not count on 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 automotive mannequin years. So whereas iOS and its sibling working techniques will likely be launched in late 2025, they’re all designated “26” to replicate the yr forward.

What’s Liquid Glass design?

Let’s be sincere. Out of all the pieces introduced at WWDC this yr, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone’s residence and lock screens have appeared just about the identical yr after yr — 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 material” since, nicely, the apps and widgets are clear. Nonetheless, the display screen can nonetheless adapt to darkish and lightweight modes, relying on environment. You may 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 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 course, even when it is considerably harking back to Microsoft’s translucent 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 incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing again the transparency in not less than some locations. And whereas it would 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 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 recent options. Among the many most worthwhile:

Telephone app redesign: You may 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 characteristic referred to 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.

Dwell 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. Dwell 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: Uninterested in sorting by way of what looks as if lots 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 are consuming at or whose automotive you are taking on a street 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 assist you to seek for something that is in your iPhone display screen. As an example, for those who spot a pair of sneakers somebody is carrying in an Instagram photograph, you possibly can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to search out these sneakers (or related ones) on-line.

Images tabs are again: For anybody who’s nonetheless annoyed with the Photos changes made last year, you will be completely satisfied 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 searching for.

FaceTime “Communication Security” characteristic: A more moderen addition to iOS 26 seems to be the FaceTime “Communication Safety” feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The characteristic seems to be a toddler security characteristic 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 modifications coming to iPadOS 26

Your iPad is not getting left behind in relation to huge updates. This is what’s coming this fall.

Multitasking and actual windowing: If you obtain the latest replace, you can have a number of apps operating in your display screen on the identical time. When you open an app, it’s going to 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 non-obligatory so you possibly can flip it off for those who 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 choice for those who’re searching for one thing particular.

Try our first impressions of iPadOS 26.

What about AirPods?

AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Listed here are among the extra notable capabilities.

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

Digital camera 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 pictures, you will get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.

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

Coronary heart fee monitoring (rumored for now): Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Professional earbuds this yr, which might have coronary heart fee monitoring. It could work with Apple’s Well being app and different health apps that observe coronary heart charges.

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 — will not be suitable with the most recent improve. However any iPhones launched in 2019 or later will likely be eligible for the iOS 26 update.

• iPhone SE (second technology or later)

Not listed below are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or perhaps iPhone 26?) which are 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. In the event you’re not already a member, you will 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 tackle. It is free.

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

A phrase of warning: Do not join along 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 will likely be launched to the general public this fall. It often is available in September, inside per 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 is attainable the downloads will hit our telephones on September 16.

In the event you’re extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, this is everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more throughout WWDC. Additionally, try how iOS 26 screenshots might be an intriguing preview of Apple’s delayed Siri rework.

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 fee 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 out there to obtain.

Replace, August 18: Added particulars a few 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 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 experiences that Apple is contemplating extra exterior LLMs for Siri.

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