Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s upcoming iPhone and iPad updates

We’re getting tremendous near discovering out when the annual Apple iPhone occasion will happen, giving us a primary have a look at the brand new iPhone 17 lineup. We must also discover out the official date for downloading the newest software program replace, iOS 26. If you cannot wait any longer, you’ll be able to obtain and set up the newly launched public beta 4 (or iOS 26 developer beta 8 for builders). I have been enjoying round with it for the previous couple of weeks, and have discovered that taking screenshots is manner higher within the new working system — Google and ChatGPT search choices at the moment are within the screenshots editor, as an illustration. You may see a extra full view of the brand new options in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta launch, which exhibits off the contemporary house and lock display screen redesign. Known as Liquid Glass, the translucent look will lengthen throughout all of Apple’s upcoming working programs. The overhaul is certainly one of a number of huge adjustments coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple’s software program suite, all of which have been showcased through the firm’s WWDC keynote on June 9.

After overpromising on AI plans final yr, Apple stored its iOS roadmap centered extra on primary high quality of life enhancements this yr. There are a number of helpful additions coming to the Cellphone and Messages apps in your iPhone, as an illustration: Apple execs outlined the flexibility to weed out spam texts or different unknown senders and an possibility to carry your spot on a telephone name once you’ve been ready for a consultant to select up. Plus, a treasured function that we took as a right is coming again (trace: it is within the Pictures app).

Siri, in the meantime, is in a holding sample. Apple has beforehand specified that its smarter voice assistant — first promised at WWDC 2024 — is delayed till some level “within the coming yr,” so that you should not count on any main adjustments within the present betas. However there are studies that Apple is aiming to present Siri an even bigger mind transplant by basing it on third-party synthetic intelligence fashions like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude, which might make 2026 a pivotal yr. The corporate can be reportedly engaged on a ‘stripped-down’ AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.

With every beta, it looks like extra new enhancements are popping up, like this new AirPods gesture we’re all inquisitive about, and this FaceTime function that’ll freeze your video if it detects nudity. With the discharge of the iOS 26 developer beta 5, we noticed extra added options, like a brand new bouncy animation on the passcode display screen and within the Management Heart, MacRumors studies. Some or all of these adjustments will probably quickly migrate into the separate public beta (see under). Most newer iPhone fashions are eligible to obtain iOS 26 (each the betas and ultimate model). Need to see the complete checklist of recent options coming this fall? Learn on.

What’s iOS 26?

The present iPhone working system is iOS 18, and Apple continues to be actively updating it — model 18.6.1 was launched to revive Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring performance for sure customers within the US. Extra just lately, Apple launched 18.6.2 to handle a vulnerability associated to picture processing. Apple has formally stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors studies, which implies it might probably not be put in in your iPhone attributable to a “server-side software program verification verify.” That is fairly regular when newer variations can be found to obtain.

However do not count on to see iOS 19 quickly — or ever. As an alternative, Apple is skipping the numbering forward to iOS 26 later this yr. 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 programs might be launched in late 2025, they’re all designated “26” to mirror the yr forward.

What’s Liquid Glass design?

Let’s be trustworthy. Out of every thing introduced at WWDC this yr, the brand new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone’s house and lock screens have seemed just about the identical yr after yr — the final thrilling factor (in my view) was the choice so as to add your individual aesthetic to your property display screen 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 materials” since, effectively, the apps and widgets are clear. Nevertheless, the display screen can nonetheless adapt to darkish and lightweight modes, relying on environment. You will additionally discover buttons with a brand new floating design in a number of apps, like Cellphone 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 personal Devindra Hardawar — like the brand new path, even when it is considerably harking back to Microsoft’s translucent Home windows Vista Aero designs from practically twenty years in the past.

That mentioned, as of the discharge of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already integrated some person suggestions into the design, dialing again the transparency in not less than some locations. And whereas it should proceed to evolve, Apple customers will not have the ability to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes extra cohesive. This is a have a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the brand 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:

Cellphone app redesign: You will lastly have the ability to scroll by way of contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new function 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.

Reside Translation in Cellphone, 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. Reside 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 like lots of of messages in your group chat? You and your folks will quickly have the ability to create polls in group messages for deciding issues like which brunch spot you are consuming at or whose automobile you take on a street journey.

Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you have not acquired 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 function will permit you to seek for something that is in your iPhone display screen. As an illustration, in the event you spot a pair of sneakers somebody is carrying in an Instagram photograph, you’ll be able to screenshot it and use Visible Intelligence to seek out these sneakers (or related ones) on-line.

Pictures tabs are again: For anybody who’s nonetheless pissed off with the Pictures adjustments made final yr, you may be comfortable to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections may have their very own separate areas so you do not have to scroll to infinity to seek out what you are on the lookout for.

FaceTime “Communication Security” function: A more moderen addition to iOS 26 seems to be the FaceTime “Communication Security” function that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The function seems to be a toddler security function that makes use of on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privateness points.

New lock display screen choices: The iPhone lock display screen will get extra customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper results, extra widgets and higher focus mode choices.

New adjustments coming to iPadOS 26

Your iPad is not getting left behind in terms of huge updates. This is what’s coming this fall.

Multitasking and actual windowing: While you obtain the latest replace, you can have a number of apps operating in your display screen on the identical time. When you open an app, it’s going to seem in your display screen as regular however you can resize and transfer it throughout your display screen to make room for different apps. This function is optionally available so you’ll be able to flip it off in the event 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: While you swipe down in your display screen, the brand new menu bar will seem with choices like File, Edit, Home windows and extra. There’s additionally a search possibility in the event you’re on the lookout for one thing particular.

Take a look at our first impressions of iPadOS 26.

What about AirPods?

AirPods are additionally getting up to date with iOS 26. Listed below are among the extra notable features.

Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this “studio-quality” audio recording, and with it, you may discover extra readability whereas in noisy environments.

Digital camera 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 photographs, you may get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.

Reside translation function: Whereas not formally introduced or confirmed, it seems that the long-rumored reside translation for AirPods may very well be coming with iOS 26. The proof comes from a system asset noticed within the in iOS 26 beta displaying a gesture that is triggered by urgent each earbud stems on the identical time. The photograph additionally exhibits phrases in a number of completely different languages.

Coronary heart charge monitoring (rumored for now): Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Professional earbuds this yr, which might have coronary heart charge monitoring. It could work with Apple’s Well being app and different health apps that monitor coronary heart charges.

Which iPhones will have the ability to improve to iOS 26?

A couple of iPhone fashions that run the present model of iOS — iPhone XR, XS and XS Max — will not be appropriate with the newest improve. However any iPhones launched in 2019 or later might be eligible for the iOS 26 replace.

• iPhone SE (second era or later)

Not listed below are the presumed new iPhone 17 fashions (or perhaps iPhone 26?) which can be all however sure to be introduced and launched in September.

Learn how to set up iOS 26 beta

The iOS 26 public beta is now obtainable to obtain by way of the Apple Beta Software program Program. If you happen to’re not already a member, you may want to enroll to check out all the newest options. Simply go to beta.apple.com and join together with your telephone quantity or electronic mail handle. It is free.

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

A phrase of warning: Do not join together with your fundamental 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 might be launched to the general public this fall. It normally is available in September, inside every week of the Apple iPhone occasion. Final yr, it rolled out to iPhone customers on September 16 — precisely one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was introduced.

If you happen to’re extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, this is every thing Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and extra throughout WWDC. Additionally, take a look at how iOS 26 screenshots may very well be an intriguing preview of Apple’s delayed Siri rework.

Replace, August 25: Added a rumor about new AirPods Professional having coronary heart charge 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 at the moment are 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 function on passcode display screen and Management Heart.

Replace, August 4: Famous that Apple is reportedly engaged on a ChatGPT rival.

Replace, August 1: Added quote from Tim Cook 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 function discovered within the developer beta.

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

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