Apple’s iOS will get two main updates this yr. All of the Apple OSes, together with iOS, can have a model quantity matching the yr. For example, as an alternative of iOS 19, this yr’s replace will begin with iOS 26, matching the yr.
The brand new Liquid Glass design language launched this yr brings an entire overhaul to all working techniques, together with iOS 26. In contrast to the earlier yr, this time, iOS 26 is especially centered on redesigning the interface, and Apple Intelligence obtained much less consideration within the keynote.
Nevertheless, in comparison with Android, iOS all the time has a bonus in rolling out updates extra rapidly. And like yearly, the iOS 26 developer beta is already out there to obtain and set up in your supported iPhone. I’ve put in it on my iPhone 14 Plus.
Like yearly, Apple drops iOS help for older iPhones. In case you are contemplating updating to the most recent iOS 26 or wish to verify in case your present iPhone helps iOS 26, here’s a checklist of supported gadgets together with the anticipated timeline.
iOS 26 Supported Machine Checklist
Apple iOS 26 can be out there for all iPhones ranging from the iPhone 11, together with the inexpensive iPhone SE fashions.
iPhone 16 Collection
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Professional
- iPhone 16 Professional Max
iPhone 15 Collection
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Professional
- iPhone 15 Professional Max
iPhone 14 Collection
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Professional
- iPhone 14 Professional Max
iPhone 13 Collection
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Professional
- iPhone 13 Professional Max
iPhone 12 Collection
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Professional
- iPhone 12 Professional Max
iPhone 11 Collection
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Professional
- iPhone 11 Professional Max
iPhone SE Collection
- iPhone SE (2nd technology)
- iPhone SE (third technology)
iOS 26 Anticipated Rollout Timeline
Apple is predicted to observe an analogous rollout timeline for iOS 26 because it did for iOS 18. Based mostly on this, the steady replace is predicted to roll out beginning in September, and the iPhone 17 collection would be the first to debut with iOS 26 out of the field. Right here is the timeline for iOS 18 and the anticipated timeline for iOS 26.
|
Date
|
iOS 18 (2024) Timeline
|
iOS 26 (2025, Anticipated) Timeline
|
|---|---|---|
|
June 10/11
|
Introduced, Dev Beta 1 launched
|
Introduced, Dev Beta 1 launched
|
|
June 24
|
Developer Beta 2
|
No information
|
|
July 8
|
Developer Beta 3
|
No information
|
|
July 15
|
Public Beta 1
|
Public Beta 1 (round July 15)
|
|
Late July–August
|
Extra Dev & Public Betas
|
Extra Public Betas anticipated
|
|
Early September
|
Launch Candidate (last beta)
|
Ultimate Beta anticipated
|
|
September 16
|
Official public launch
|
Anticipated public launch (Sept 16-25)
|
iOS 26 Screenshots
5 Huge Adjustments Coming to iOS 26
The largest change this yr in iOS 26 is the brand new design language. That is the largest overhaul of iOS for years.
Apple calls it the brand new Liquid Glass design, which is extra clear, glassy, and fashionable. It resembles the Home windows Aero Glass design that we now have seen previously.
From the system core interface to the Apple apps, together with icons, each web page will get a brand new design remedy.
I’ve been utilizing it for over six hours, and I’ve blended emotions in regards to the design. The brand new 3D glass icons on iOS 26 really feel like a random third-party launcher pores and skin, and the management heart feels very cluttered, with no differentiation between the background and controls.
Nevertheless, the animations appear very fluid, and in addition the brand new backside search bar on all main Apple apps makes it simple to entry with one-handed utilization.
Plus, Apple’s system apps additionally get a serious design overhaul, and they’re utterly totally different from what we now have skilled over the past a number of years.
The digicam app will get a serious redesign with a very new interface and is less complicated to navigate with fewer seen options. There are many different modifications throughout the board, too.
Apple Intelligence – Will get Two New Helpful Options
Whereas Apple Intelligence doesn’t get as a lot consideration because it did in iOS 18, Apple provides a few helpful options to Apple Intelligence.
First, reside translation is now supported domestically on the gadget, letting you employ it throughout totally different apps and features similar to Cellphone, Messages, and FaceTime.
Plus, it additionally comes with real-time translation, which now your iPhone can translate textual content immediately in real-time domestically in your gadget with out requiring an web connection.
The picture playground, which was launched in iOS 18, can also be getting an improve now, which helps you to personalize emojis in numerous kinds and mix them.
New Calling Options
The Cellphone app, which remained the identical for years, can also be getting a serious design with a unified tab that hosts favorites, latest, and voicemail.
It looks as if Apple is giving customers an choice to stick with the outdated interface or change to the brand new one; at the least in my case, it prompted me to change or stick with the present design.
The largest replace for Cellphone is name screening help, which might now take calls so that you can keep away from spam and reveals the knowledge earlier than you decide up the decision.
In fact, this is perhaps restricted to the US at first, with a wider rollout anticipated later this yr. There may be additionally a brand new helpful maintain assistant that stays on maintain for you, particularly throughout annoying buyer care calls, which typically have lengthy wait instances.
Messages – Will get Group Polls and Chat Background
iMessage additionally will get a brand new interface design and new options with this replace.
Now you’ll be able to set a conversational background for every chat, and at last, group chats get help for typing indicators in addition to group polls, which additionally include enhancing features, letting different members add ballot choices.
Additionally, Apple Pay is now built-in instantly into iMessage, which might be useful for invoice splits and sending cash proper from iMessage.
New Apple Video games App
For the primary time, Apple has added a devoted gaming app for iPhone, which helps you to uncover, observe, and socialize with video games.
You can even see all of your put in video games, entry Apple Arcade, view the most recent reviews, and uncover what your mates are doing.
Battery Updates
Battery administration on iPhone additionally receives a helpful improve, now supporting Adaptive Energy Mode, which routinely adjusts your iPhone settings to avoid wasting battery life when wanted.
Lastly, Apple provides a charging estimate timer, which lets you see when your telephone will attain 80 % whereas charging. There are additionally helpful notifications when your gadget is charging slowly or has any battery points.
These are the 5 main upgrades coming to iOS 26. Plus, with iOS 26, Apple can also be letting builders entry on-device AI options in apps, which might deliver new alternatives for third-party apps. Here’s a full change log coming to iOS 26.
iOS 26 Changelog:
New Liquid Glass Design:
- Clear, glass-like look throughout all system screens
- Redesigned Lock Display screen, Residence Display screen, Digicam, Safari, and Messages
- Smoother animations and floating buttons
Apple Intelligence (AI Options):
- Stay translation for textual content, calls, and FaceTime (on supported gadgets)
- Detect objects and textual content from screenshots
- Generate photographs and new emojis with AI
- Smarter Siri and higher system solutions
Cellphone and Calls:
- Recents, Favorites, and Voicemail at the moment are in a single view
- Name screening with AI
- Maintain Help alerts you when somebody picks up
Messages:
- Group chat typing indicators
- Polls inside group chats
- Customized chat backgrounds
- Ship/obtain Apple Money in teams
- Unknown senders are filtered to a separate folder
Images & Digicam:
- 3D spatial picture results for Lock Display screen and backgrounds
- Images app has Library and Collections tabs once more
- Digicam app matches new visible fashion
Apple Music:
- AutoMix transitions between songs utilizing AI
- Translate lyrics with pronunciation assist
Apple Video games App:
- New app for all of your App Retailer and Arcade video games
- Consists of Sport Middle options
Maps:
- Learns your every day routes and offers delay alerts
- See all locations you’ve visited
Pockets & Apple Pay:
- Digital ID help (US solely)
- Boarding passes now embrace airport maps and baggage monitoring
Notes:
- Document and transcribe calls
- Export notes in Markdown format
Alarms:
- Set your individual snooze instances
Accessibility:
- New Accessibility Reader
- Higher braille and voice help
- Improved Stay Hear and background sounds
Battery and Energy:
- Adaptive energy saving mode
- New battery well being instruments
The best way to Set up iOS 26 Developer Beta on Your iPhone
iOS 26 is already out there as a developer beta. To put in, guarantee your gadget is on the supported checklist.
Go to Settings > Basic > Software program Replace and choose Developer Beta, then replace your iPhone to iOS 26.
Since it’s a developer beta, there are a lot of bugs, and we extremely suggest not putting in it in case your present iPhone is your main gadget.
