What to know concerning the free iPhone software program replace arriving September 15

The iPhone 17 occasion final Tuesday revealed the most recent Phone 17 lineup — together with the ultra-thin iPhone Air. (You may atone for everything Apple announced or rewatch the full iPhone 17 launch.) The corporate rounded out its bulletins with three new Apple Watch fashions, in addition to the all-new AirPods Professional 3.

The even higher information is that many people sticking with older iPhones will lastly be capable to set up iOS 26 in just some days: It arrives Monday, September 15, alongside all of Apple’s other new operating systems. However you do not have to attend to check out the brand new options, since you’ll be able to download and install the newly launched iOS 26 RC (launch candidate) when you’ve been utilizing the general public or developer betas. (See our preview of the iOS 26 public beta release for more information.) The very first thing you will discover is a brand new clear design language Apple dubs Liquid Glass. The translucent look might be discovered inside apps in addition to your lock and residential screens. The overhaul is one in all a number of massive adjustments coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS and the remainder of Apple’s software program suite.

After overpromising on AI plans final 12 months, Apple stored its iOS roadmap centered extra on fundamental high quality of life enhancements with iOS 26. There are a number of helpful additions coming to the Telephone and Messages apps, as an example: Apple execs outlined the flexibility to weed out spam texts or unknown senders and an choice to carry your spot on a telephone name while you’ve been ready for a consultant to select up.

It looks as if extra new enhancements are popping up (or no less than hinted at) with every beta, reminiscent of an AirPods live translation feature, which Apple talked about throughout the occasion. We additionally observed a brand new bouncy animation on the passcode display and within the Management Heart. Most newer iPhone fashions are eligible to download iOS 26 (each the betas and closing model). We have rounded up a full checklist of recent options coming this fall under.

What’s iOS 26?

The present iPhone working system is iOS 18, which Apple continues to be actively updating — model 18.6.1 was launched final month, for instance, to restore Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring performance for sure customers within the US. Extra not too long ago, Apple released iOS 18.6.2 to handle a vulnerability associated to picture processing.

However do not count on to ever see an iOS 19. As a substitute, Apple is skipping its naming conference forward to iOS 26. (Apple can also be anticipated to launch iOS 18.7 on the similar time, per MacRumors, to handle safety points.) The corporate has determined to line up its iOS model numbers with a year-based system, just like automobile mannequin years. So whereas iOS and its sibling working methods will probably be launched in late 2025, they’re all designated “26” to replicate the 12 months forward.

What’s Liquid Glass design?

Let’s be sincere. Out of every thing introduced at WWDC this 12 months, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone’s house and lock screens have appeared just about the identical 12 months after 12 months — the final thrilling factor (for my part) was the choice so as to add your personal aesthetic to your own home display 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, effectively, the apps and widgets are clear. Nonetheless, the display can nonetheless adapt to darkish and light-weight 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 Devindra Hardawar — like the brand new course, even when it is considerably paying homage 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 no less than some locations. And whereas it’ll proceed to evolve, Apple customers will not be capable to escape it: The corporate says Liquid Glass was designed to make all of its platforms extra cohesive. Here 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 to scroll by way of contacts, latest calls and voicemail messages all on one display. It additionally comes with a brand new characteristic referred to as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the telephone so you’ll be able to keep away from the elevator music and proceed on with different duties.

Dwell Translation in Telephone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the flexibility to have a dialog by way of telephone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Dwell Translation will translate your dialog in actual time, which leads to some stop-and-go interactions within the examples Apple shared throughout its presentation.

Polls in group chats: Bored with sorting by way of what looks as if tons of of messages in your group chat? You and your mates will quickly be capable to create polls in group messages for deciding issues like which brunch spot you are consuming at or whose automobile you take on a highway 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 will let you seek for something that is in your iPhone display. For example, when you spot a pair of footwear somebody is carrying in an Instagram photograph, you’ll be able to screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to search out these footwear (or related ones) on-line.

Pictures tabs are again: For anybody who’s been pissed off with final 12 months’s changes to the Photos app, you will be completely satisfied to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections could have their very own separate areas so you do not have to scroll to infinity to search out what you are in search of.

Camera app updates: Navigating the Digicam app must be easier in iOS 26, as all of the buttons and menus are in handy spots — much less swiping, extra photograph taking. Plus, there is a new characteristic that tells you in case your lens must be cleaned.

FaceTime “Communication Security” characteristic: A more recent 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 will get extra customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper results, extra widgets and higher focus mode choices.

New alarm setting: You may now not be caught with the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms. As a substitute, you will have the choice to alter your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.

Screenshots look different: You may discover a number of new options while you take a screenshot, together with “spotlight to look,” the choice to look your picture on Google and ChatGPT is there for any questions you will have concerning the picture.

New adjustments coming to iPadOS 26

Your iPad is not getting left behind with regards to massive updates. Here 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 on the similar time. When you open an app, it’s going to seem in your display as regular however you can resize and transfer it throughout your display to make room for different apps. This characteristic is optionally available so you’ll be able to flip it off when you 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, the brand new menu bar will seem with choices like File, Edit, Home windows and extra. There’s additionally a search choice when you’re in search of one thing particular.

There’s extra past that, so you’ll want to take a look at our first impressions of iPadOS 26.

What about AirPods?

AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Listed below are a few of 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.

Digicam distant management: Utilizing this, you’ll be able to take a photograph or begin and cease video recording with only one press in your AirPods. When taking images, you will get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.

Dwell translation characteristic: The Apple occasion confirmed that live translation is coming to AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Professional 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC when paired with iPhones operating iOS 26.

Coronary heart fee monitoring: Apple launched new AirPods Professional 3 earbuds this week, which embrace coronary heart fee monitoring. It will work with Apple’s Well being app and different health apps that monitor coronary heart charges.

Will Siri get an replace?

Siri 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 adjustments within the present betas. However there are stories that Apple is aiming to provide Siri a much 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 12 months. The corporate can also be reportedly engaged on a “stripped-down” AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.

Which iPhones will be capable to improve to iOS 26?

Just a few iPhone fashions that run the present model of iOS — iPhone XR, XS and XS Max — will not be appropriate with the most recent improve. However any iPhones from 2019 or later will probably be eligible for iOS 26:

• iPhone SE (second technology or later)

How you can set up iOS 26 beta

The iOS 26 public beta is obtainable to obtain by way of the Apple Beta Software Program. For those who’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 enroll along with your telephone quantity or electronic mail deal with. It is free.

When you’re in, you’ll be able to set up it by going to Settings > Basic > Software program Replace and deciding on iOS 26 public beta.

A phrase of warning: Do not enroll 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 probably be launched to the general public totally free on September 15, which is lower than every week away.

For those who’re extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, here is everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more throughout WWDC. Additionally, take a look at how iOS 26 screenshots could possibly be an intriguing preview of Apple’s delayed Siri rework.

Replace, September 11: Added the merchandise Apple launched at its Tuesday occasion and famous when iOS 26 will probably be obtainable to obtain.

Replace, September 9: Famous the iPhone occasion is beginning quickly.

Replace, September 8: Famous the iPhone 17 occasion is tomorrow.

Replace, September 4: Added particulars about how screenshots are completely different in iOS 26.

Replace, September 3: Famous Apple is predicted to launch iOS 18.7 alongside iOS 26.

Replace, September 2: Added extra new options coming with iOS 26.

Replace, August 29: Added new part about Siri and a hyperlink to what’s new with the iOS 26 Digicam app.

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 are actually obtainable to obtain.

Replace, August 18: Added particulars a couple of 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 obtainable 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 and Management Heart.

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 obtainable.

Replace, July 24: Famous the iOS 26 public beta is now obtainable.

Replace, July 3: Famous new FaceTime characteristic discovered within the developer beta.

Replace, June 30: Famous ongoing iOS 18 releases, and stories that Apple is contemplating extra exterior LLMs for Siri.

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