At WWDC 2025, Apple gave the world its first look at iOS 26 — and it’s packed with a bold new design, smarter tools thanks to Apple Intelligence, and upgrades across the apps you use most. The update drops this fall for iPhone 11 and later, with a beta coming next month.
“iOS 26 shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, in a statement. “Experiences are more expressive and personal, from the Lock Screen and Home Screen, to new capabilities across Phone and Messages that help users focus on the connections that matter most. And with powerful new Apple Intelligence capabilities integrated across the system, users can get things done easier than ever.”
Here’s what’s new in iOS 26:
Fresh Design with Liquid Glass
- Liquid Glass Look: A new translucent, glass-like effect across icons, widgets, and controls.
- Lock & Home Screen Tweaks: Time adapts around your photo, and wallpapers get a cool 3D effect when you move your phone.
- Streamlined Camera & Photos: Simpler camera layout, and Photos gets two main tabs: Library and Collections.
- Floating Tab Bars: In Apple Music, News, and Podcasts, the tab bar shrinks when you scroll for a cleaner look.
Apple Intelligence (On-Device AI)
- Live Translation: Translates text and voice in real-time during Messages, Phone calls, and FaceTime.
- Visual Intelligence: Let AI help you shop, look things up, or add events based on what’s on your screen.
- Genmoji & Image Playground: Mix emojis and text to create your own custom emoji and AI images.
- Smart Shortcuts: New shortcut suggestions based on what you’re doing.
- Email Order Tracking: Apple Intelligence finds and summarizes tracking info from emails.
Stay Connected, With Fewer Interruptions
- Phone App Redesign: Combines Recents, Favorites, and Voicemail into one screen.
- Call Screening: Sends unknown callers to voicemail with a transcript so you can decide whether to pick up.
- Hold Assist: Alerts you when a customer service agent finally answers your call.
- Messages Upgrades:
- Filter unknown senders
- Create and suggest polls
- Add custom AI-generated backgrounds
- Send and request Apple Cash
- See who’s typing in group chats
CarPlay Gets Smarter
- Compact Calls View: So you don’t miss a turn while someone’s ringing you.
- Tapbacks + Pinned Chats: More messaging options while driving.
- Live Activities & Widgets: See sports scores, delivery updates, and more — at a glance.
Maps, Music, and Wallet Updates
- Apple Music:
- Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation
- AutoMix transitions between songs like a DJ
- Maps:
- New Visited Places view
- AI-based commute suggestions and alerts
- Wallet:
- Pay in installments or with rewards using Apple Pay
- Boarding passes now include real-time flight updates and airport navigation
Other Cool Features
- Apple Games App: One place for all your games and Apple Arcade titles.
- AirPods:
- Use stem as a camera remote
- Better voice isolation and studio-quality recordings
- Child Accounts: Easier setup with more parental controls and content filters.
- Safari Privacy: Stronger anti-tracking built-in by default.
- Accessibility:
- Braille Access and Accessibility Reader
- Enhanced Live Listen, Background Sounds, and more
Release Timeline
- Developer Beta: Available now
- Public Beta: Coming next month
- Final Release: Fall 2025
- Apple Intelligence support: iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, and M1 iPads/Macs
