Whether you’re already testing the beta or just curious about what’s coming, here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s next big software release.
A fresh design with Liquid Glass
Apple is giving your iPhone a major visual update with the new Liquid Glass design. It brings a smooth, translucent look to your home and lock screens, making everything feel lighter and more modern. The interface adapts to light and dark modes, and buttons in apps like Phone and Maps will now float gently over the screen, offering a cleaner, more elegant layout.
This design change isn’t just for iPhones — it’s part of Apple’s plan to create a unified look across all its operating systems, including macOS and iPadOS. While some say it looks like Windows Vista’s old “Aero” design, Apple’s version is more refined. Based on early feedback, Apple has toned down some transparency to improve visibility, showing it’s still refining things before the full release.
Helpful tools to improve daily use
iOS 26 brings several new features that make everyday tasks easier and smoother. The Phone app has been redesigned, allowing you to scroll through contacts, recent calls, and voicemail all in one place. A new feature called Hold Assist can even hold your spot in a call queue and alert you when someone picks up — no more listening to hold music for ages.
Another standout feature is Live Translation, which lets you speak or text with someone in a different language across Phone, FaceTime, or Messages. While it’s not instant, it works well enough for short conversations and could be a game changer for travel or international chats.
In group chats, you can now create polls to help make decisions — like where to eat or when to meet. Messages also get a better spam filter that moves texts from unknown senders to a separate folder, which will help keep your inbox clutter-free. Visual Intelligence lets you search your screen — for example, if you see a nice pair of shoes in a photo, you can screenshot them and find similar items online.
Release dates and device support
iOS 26 is available to developers, and the public beta arrives in July. If you want to try it early, you can sign up for the Apple Beta Software Programme at beta.apple.com. Just log in with your Apple ID, and once the beta is released, install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone.
However, be careful—bugs and performance issues may occur since this is a beta. If possible, install it on a backup device.
When the final version arrives in the autumn, most newer iPhones will be eligible, but older models like the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max won’t be supported. If your iPhone was released in 2019 or later, you should be ready.
Apple usually launches its new iOS version shortly after announcing its next iPhone model. Based on past years, you can expect the full iOS 26 release in mid-September — likely one week after the new iPhones are revealed.
