iOS 26 Release: Features, Supported iPhones, and What’s New
iOS 26 is Here: Everything You Need to Know
Apple unveiled iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 on June 9, with the first developer beta released the same day. The public beta is expected in July, and the full stable release will arrive in September 2025, alongside the new iPhone models. It will be available for iPhone 11 and newer.
This update marks one of the most significant leaps forward in iOS history, combining powerful new AI capabilities, a refreshed interface, and smarter system-wide updates aimed at both functionality and privacy.
Supported iPhones
- iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max (2024)
- iPhone 16 Series (2023)
- iPhone 15 Series (2022)
- iPhone 14 Series (2021)
- iPhone 13 Series (2020)
- iPhone 12 Series (2020)
- iPhone 11 Series (2019)
1. New Design: Liquid Glass
iOS 26 brings a fresh new design called Liquid Glass. It gives a glass-like, floating look to your screen. App icons, widgets, and the Lock Screen now adapt to your wallpaper. Even clock fonts change based on background images. Core apps like Safari and Camera have a cleaner, modern design.
This dynamic design language makes your device feel more personal and immersive. The subtle animations and depth effects enhance usability without distracting from performance.
2. Apple Intelligence (AI Features)
Apple has introduced a suite of on-device AI tools under the name Apple Intelligence, making iOS 26 smarter and more intuitive than ever.
- Live Translation in calls and texts.
- Visual Look-Up: Ask Siri what’s on your screen.
- Genmoji: Create custom emojis.
- Smart Shortcuts: Use AI in automations.
All AI features work on-device, meaning more privacy and faster performance. This approach ensures that your personal data remains secure while still enabling advanced intelligence.
3. Phone & Messages Updates
The Phone and Messages apps get several quality-of-life upgrades aimed at clarity and convenience:
- Combined Recents, Voicemails, and Favorites.
- Call Screening and Hold Alerts.
- Unknown Messages folder and chat polls.
- Colored backgrounds and Apple Cash in chats.
These updates make communication more efficient and customizable, helping you stay in control of your conversations.
4. CarPlay Features
Driving becomes smarter and safer with iOS 26’s CarPlay enhancements:
- Call banners instead of full-screen interruptions.
- Messages now show reactions.
- New widgets and Live Activities.
- CarPlay Ultra: Control car settings from iPhone.
The interface is now more responsive, and Live Activities help you stay updated without taking your eyes off the road for long.
5. App Updates
Several stock apps have received major improvements to make them more useful and context-aware:
- Apple Music: Translated lyrics and AI DJ mode.
- Maps: Shows frequently visited places, offline.
- Wallet: Installment payments and live flight info.
- Games App: See your games and recommendations.
- Safari: Blocks advanced tracking by default.
These updates not only boost usability but also reflect Apple’s commitment to privacy and intelligent personalization.
6. Battery and Privacy
Battery life and privacy remain at the core of iOS 26:
- Adaptive Power Mode: Saves battery smartly.
- Maps, AI, and translations run entirely offline.
- New system-wide tracking prevention in Safari.
You can now use powerful features without sacrificing performance or your personal data. Apple continues to lead the way in user-first design choices.
Summary
iOS 26 is one of the biggest updates since iOS 7, featuring:
- A modern design (Liquid Glass)
- On-device AI tools
- Smarter apps and more privacy
- Support for iPhones going back to 2019
Whether you’re an everyday user or a power user, iOS 26 brings enhancements across the board. It’s currently in developer beta. Public beta arrives in July 2025, and the final release will land in September 2025.
