Apple has officially previewed iOS 26, its latest mobile operating system, promising a richer, more intelligent, and expressive iPhone experience. The update introduces a refreshed design, powerful Apple Intelligence capabilities, and meaningful improvements to everyday apps like Phone, Messages, Maps, Wallet, and Apple Music.
According to Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, “iOS 26 shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful.”
A Fresh, Expressive Design
At the heart of the visual revamp is Liquid Glass, a new translucent material that reflects and refracts surroundings, giving depth and vitality to interface elements such as controls, icons, and widgets. The redesign extends to the Home and Lock Screens, which now offer more customisation with adaptive time displays and animated 3D wallpapers.
App interfaces have also been refreshed. The Camera app now has a streamlined layout, Safari pages flow from top to bottom with improved accessibility, and Apple Music’s floating tab bars enhance navigation while showcasing content.
Smarter with Apple Intelligence
iOS 26 deepens integration with Apple Intelligence, introducing features designed to boost productivity and simplify everyday tasks:
- Live Translation: Built-in to Messages, Phone, and FaceTime, this tool offers real-time audio and text translation—all processed on-device to maintain privacy.
- Visual Intelligence: Users can act on content shown on-screen, like adding events to calendars or exploring similar images through integrated app support.
- Genmoji and Image Playground: A new level of self-expression, allowing users to combine emojis and descriptions into unique, shareable visuals.
- Smarter Shortcuts: Apple Intelligence now powers context-aware actions, including writing tools and order tracking summaries.
Developers will gain access to Apple’s new Foundation Models framework, enabling them to build on-device intelligence into their apps using Apple’s privacy-focused AI infrastructure.
Enhancements to Phone, Messages, and CarPlay
A redesigned Phone app merges favourites, recent calls, and voicemails into one interface. New features include:
- Call Screening, which lets users filter unknown calls with real-time caller info.
- Hold Assist, which notifies users when a live agent is available after being placed on hold.
Messages now allows screening of unknown senders, creation of polls, and personalised chat backgrounds. Group chats gain support for Apple Cash transfers and typing indicators.
CarPlay receives a facelift with a compact call interface, pinned messages, Tapbacks, widgets, and a fully immersive CarPlay Ultra experience.
Music, Wallet, and Accessibility Updates
Apple Music introduces Lyrics Translation and Lyrics Pronunciation, breaking down language barriers and helping users sing along to their favourite tunes. AutoMix intelligently transitions songs like a DJ.
Apple Wallet now supports instalment and reward payments via Apple Pay. Boarding passes can display live flight updates and link to services like Maps and Find My.
Additional features include:
- Apple Games: A central hub for all iOS games and Apple Arcade titles.
- New capabilities for AirPods, including camera remote and studio-quality voice recording.
- Expanded parental controls with Child Accounts, blurred sensitive content, and more flexible app permissions.
- Improved privacy in Safari and enhanced accessibility tools like Braille Access and Live Listen.
Availability
iOS 26 is available for testing through the Apple Developer Program and will enter public beta next month. A full release is expected this autumn for iPhone 11 and newer models. Some Apple Intelligence features will require iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 models, or M1-equipped iPads and Macs.