Apple just announced the next major software update for iPhones: iOS 26 (a jump from what, until recently, was expected to be called iOS 19), and it’s packed with a whole bunch of new features for your phone. The biggest change is a new design, but there are lots of smaller improvements and additions as well that could make a difference in how you use your iPhone every day.
Here’s a bit more detail on what you can expect from iOS 26 when it releases for everyone this fall. If you want to try it early, Apple has already launched a developer beta, and it will offer a public beta sometime in July.
A refreshed design across the OS
Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Apple has a new design language called “Liquid Glass” that it’s being introduced across all of the company’s devices, not just the iPhone. It’s inspired by the visionOS software used with Apple’s Vision Pro headset, and it features a lot of translucency that Apple says “behaves like glass in the real world.” On-screen elements now use “real-time rendering” that lets them react to movement with highlights and color shifts.
It seems like changes from Liquid Glass will touch just about every part of the operating system, including apps, buttons, sliders, the Control Center, and your homescreen. Tab bars will also change because of Liquid Glass, shrinking and expanding as you scroll up and down.
Messages is getting better for group chats
Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
In Messages, iOS 26 is adding a lot of updates that could significantly improve group chats. You’ll be able to customize the background of a chat to give it more personality. To help make group decisions or get an opinion on something, you can create polls. And, at long last, Apple is adding typing indicators to group chats, which should make them feel more lively.
Some new Phone features will help you save time
Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Apple is taking some cues from Google by adding a call screening feature and a “Hold Assist” feature that can wait on a call for you. The company is also adding a new unified layout option that combines Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails all into one view.
Live Translation can translate calls in real time
Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Apple is adding an Apple Intelligence-powered feature that can translate text on your screen and translate speech back and forth in the middle of a phone call. The company is building the feature into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, and Apple says its models for Live Translation run entirely on your device for privacy.
Some small Apple Intelligence improvements
Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Even though we’re still waiting for Apple to announce when it will actually release its delayed improvements to Siri, iOS 26 will include some new Apple Intelligence-powered features. Visual Intelligence will let you do searches about and take action on things you see on your screen. With Genmoji, you’ll be able to combine two emoji into one. And Shortcuts will be able to use Apple Intelligence models to improve your workflows.
The new Games app is for everything about your games
Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Apple’s new Games app will provide a centralized hub for everything about your games on your iPhone. The Home tab shows things like updates and events in your games. The Apple Arcade tab lets you browse the company’s catalog of games on the service. The Library tab shows all of the App Store games you’ve ever downloaded. And the Play Together tab lets you see what your friends are up to.
