Those who own an iPhone 11 or SE 2 or later can download Apple’s iOS 26 software upgrade on Monday. Apple’s Liquid Glass design, which incorporates objects on-screen that have a “glassy” appearance, is the main attraction of iOS 26. Updates to the Genmoji and Image Playground apps, a new gaming and preview app, in-app translation throughout the system, and a call screening assistance are among the other additions.
Apple made a significant numerical shift in the operating system update as well, moving from iOS 18 to iOS 26 for two main reasons. Its primary goal was to align all operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and VisionOS. Additionally, it aimed to display the year that the majority of people will make use of this update.
Glass in liquid form
Liquid Glass design has been the most significant visual overhaul for iOS in years. With this overhaul, Apple aimed to adapt the Vision Pro interface’s design principles to all of its operating systems. The components are designed to appear to be composed of translucent glass. This led to issues with readability and the appearance of background components.
Through beta releases, Apple has altered the interface’s “glassy” appearance on multiple occasions since June. We may anticipate visual changes for better readability and usefulness in the upcoming months, even if the business is only launching the stable version of iOS 26 today. Users may need some time to get used to this visual change, and they may not immediately enjoy some aspects.
Apps for Apple
Additionally, if you are put on hold by a restaurant or a helpline, you can use call assist to be alerted when an agent resumes speaking.With features like themes, polls, text selection, photo previews, and typing indicators in groups, the Messages app is starting to catch up to rival chat apps like Telegram and WhatsApp. For a few years now, Apple has been developing SMS filtering. With this release, the corporation claimed to have enhanced its spam filtering. Additionally, it creates a new folder for communications from senders you don’t know. It takes me a few taps to get the transactions tab, which is one feature of this upgrade that I didn’t enjoy.
New Emoji and Group Message Features
Typing indications and polls are now available in group conversations (although the latter is only available in iMessage group chats). Additionally, messages can be made more unique by adding additional background designs. The new ability to combine two emojis using Genmoji on the keyboard or in Apple’s Image Playground app may appeal to emoji fans. (It resembles Google’s Emoji Kitchen in certain ways.)
The game application feature
You can now view all of your games, arcade games, challenges, and achievements in one location, as well as recommendations for new games, thanks to the revamped games app. You can see what your pals are playing on the app as well.
With iOS 26, Apple finally included the Preview software for Mac, making it easier to edit, annotate, and sign PDFs.
In the meantime, Apple Music now features automixing for dynamic music switching in addition to pronunciation and translation of lyrics. Additionally, you have the option to pin your preferred playlists and songs.
You can specify your preferred commute routes with Apple Maps on iOS 26. Maps notifies you and suggests alternate routes if the route you have selected has greater traffic or any issues. Through a new locations library, the app also makes it simple to view places you’ve been to.
Only the Video and Photo options are accessible by default in the iOS 26 Camera app, which uses the Liquid Glass interface. To switch between modes, you can scroll to the left or right. You can turn on and off features like Flash and Night mode with a single touch thanks to Apple’s placement of these buttons in the upper right corner. You can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access more settings, such as filters, styles, exposure controls, and a timer.
AI characteristics
This year’s operating system has less AI features than last year’s grand introduction of Apple Intelligence, particularly considering the delays in feature rollout and launch. The business is facilitating the use of AI-powered translation in applications such as Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. English (U.K., U.S.), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain) are now supported by this function.
The business is also introducing live translation for AirPods, including the recently released AirPods Pro 3, Pro 2, and Pro 4, through iOS 26.
Additionally, iOS 26 improves visual intelligence to comprehend what is displayed on the screen. To access this menu, you must press Power + the volume down button. After that, Apple Intelligence can recommend events for you to put on your calendar. Additionally, you can use ChatGPT or Google Visual Search to ask queries concerning the content displayed on the screen. Additionally, Apple is launching Highlight, a “Circle to search.”
The fact that the buttons for bringing up on-screen visual intelligence are identical to the screenshot button is the most perplexing aspect of this update. As a result, it goes above and beyond to save a screenshot, however I’ve overlooked numerous crucial screenshots.
Other major features
Here are some additional highlights, however there are many more aspects that are not covered.
1. Photos: After hearing your grievances regarding the Photos app, Apple restored the Library and Collections tabs on the app’s home screen.
Camera: The Camera app now features a more streamlined Photo and Video layout that grows as you switch between modes.
2. Reminders: Thanks to Apple Intelligence, your iPhone will now display recommended tasks, shopping items, or follow-ups based on your emails and texts. Another option is to automatically group relevant reminders into a list.
3. AirPods audio and video recording: Press and hold the stem to begin recording a video in the iPhone’s camera app if you have AirPods or AirPods Pro with the H2 chip. With the AirPods, you can also use the camera app to record high definition audio.
4. Maps: Before you leave the house, maps will learn the routes you frequently take and alert you to any delays. Additionally, the app now has a Visited Places area (you must opt in) and allows you to specify how long Maps keeps this information, ranging from three months to indefinitely.
5. Apple Music: A new tool called AutoMix has been added to the Music app, which effortlessly mixes songs like a DJ utilizing employing techniques such as beat matching and time stretching. Additionally, translations are now visible if you are viewing music lyrics.
6. Wallet: Using your US passport, the Apple Wallet app can generate digital IDs that you can use in-person, in applications, and at TSA checkpoints. In order to make it easier for your loved ones to get and view your travel information, your boarding pass will now include airport maps, luggage tracking with Find My, and shareable Live Activities.
7. Image Playground: Apple’s image generation app offers a variety of new ChatGPT styles for image generation.
8. CarPlay: You can now view the status of a friend’s flight while you’re en route to the airport to pick them up thanks to the addition of Live Activities. Additionally, you can also use Tapback to react in messages.
