A decade after the minimalist shift of iOS 7, Apple is back with another major overhaul – and this time, it’s more than just the iPhone. The software across all platforms now shares a unified naming structure: macOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 11, tvOS 26, and of course, iOS 26.
This isn’t just a name update. The new system-wide visual design and interaction changes ripple through every corner of the OS – for better or worse, as many users on the internet argue the redesign affects readability (they’re not wrong, though). Anyway, let’s take a dive into all of the new iOS 26 features.
1. Liquid Glass Design
Apple has reworked the UI using what it calls “Liquid Glass” – a translucent, reflective visual layer that appears on app icons, widgets, and across the system. It adds depth and clarity to visuals, offering a clearer focus on content.
Home and lock screens adopt this look too, with customizations like transparent icons and widgets, and a time display that dynamically fits the image layout.
However, this causes readability issues in many areas like the control center, notifications, navigation bars, and more. How do you feel about this change?
2. Spatial Wallpapers
Wallpapers now react to motion, giving a 3D-like spatial scene effect. Move the iPhone, and the wallpaper responds with depth. It’s exclusive to recent iPhones with advanced sensors and works best on the lock screen only.
3. Simplified Camera Layout
The Camera app now shows fewer UI elements, with only essential tools visible while shooting. Apple says that this helps users stay focused on capturing moments without clutter, though many controls are now one tap deeper into menus. I am not happy about this change at all.
4. Redesigned Safari Flow
Web pages in Safari now scroll from the top edge all the way to the bottom of the screen, without breaking flow. Key buttons like refresh and search remain accessible, floating subtly above content.
5. Floating Tab Bars
Apps like Apple Music, News, and Podcasts now feature a floating tab bar. It shrinks while scrolling to give full focus to content, then expands again when users scroll back up. Apple has also seemingly made it easier for third party developers to integrate this into their apps as well.
6. Live Translation
Live translation is now baked directly into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps. Text and voice are translated in real-time, running fully on-device using Apple’s custom models – meaning conversations don’t leave your iPhone. Works in supported languages only and on specific iPhone models only.
7. Visual Intelligence
You can now tap and hold on content (like an event in a photo or a screen) and instantly get actions – like adding it to your calendar. You can also ask ChatGPT questions based on what’s on screen or search for similar items across apps like Etsy and Google.
However, one noticeable quirk: every time you take a screenshot, you now have to manually tick a checkmark for it to save or share – making quick screenshotting more annoying than before. This small but frustrating change makes the process noticeably slower compared to older iOS versions.
8. Genmoji and Image Playground
Custom emoji creation is now possible by blending 2 emojis and/or user-generated prompts. It works with supported languages and lets you drop in their own ideas to create unique Genmoji for conversations and posts.
9. Smarter Shortcuts
Shortcuts now support contextual, intelligent actions suggested by Apple Intelligence. These actions can include writing help, creating images, or performing app-specific tasks – all based on what you’re doing on your iPhone. This feature may not work on all iPhone models.
10. Order Tracking in Mail
Apple Intelligence can scan your emails for tracking details – even if you didn’t use Apple Pay. It pulls delivery info and compiles order updates, then shows them in one place on your iPhone.
11. Unified Phone App Layout
Another big change. Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail are now in one tab inside the Phone app. The new layout is seemingly more simpler and useful, especially “when you’re managing multiple call types or messages.”
12. Call Screening
Unknown calls get screened automatically. The system asks the caller for details, transcribes it, and shows you the message in real-time – so you can decide whether to answer or ignore. Works across multiple languages. This feature is nice.
13. Hold Assist
Another nice feature is Hold Assist. When you’re stuck on hold, your iPhone can now wait for you and ping you once a live person picks up. This feature is limited to supported languages and call systems, but works in most regions.
14. Message Screening
Texts from unknown numbers are filtered into a new folder, away from your main inbox. You can approve, block, or request info before engaging. Notifications for these texts are also silenced until you take action.
15. Polls and Backgrounds in Messages
Users can create polls in group chats, and the system may even suggest a poll if the context fits. Chat backgrounds are customizable too, with Image Playground also helping generate visuals for specific chats.
16. Apple Cash in Group Chats
You can now send, request, or receive Apple Cash inside group chats. It’s integrated directly into the iMessage UI and works just like sending a photo or link. This feature is probably limited to countries with Apple Pay support only.
17. CarPlay UI Overhaul
Incoming calls now use a compact view, so directions or music controls stay visible. Messages get Tapbacks and pinned conversations in CarPlay. Live Activities and widgets also work now, helping users stay informed without switching apps. And of course, Liquid Glass is here too.
18. CarPlay Ultra
For cars that support it, CarPlay Ultra brings full-screen experiences across dashboard displays. Maps, messages, and media controls appear in a single interface, tightly synced with the iPhone.
19. Apple Music: Lyrics Translation & Pronunciation
Apple Music now supports on-screen translation of lyrics in real time. This is so good. The new pronunciation feature can also help you sing along phonetically, useful when listening to songs in unfamiliar languages. Yes, that’s a useful feature too (as if I can’t already hear the singer’s voice).
ALSO READ: iOS 26 Wallpaper Now Available in 4K: Download Now
20. AutoMix in Apple Music
Songs now transition like a pro DJ’s set using beat-matching and tempo syncing. It works automatically between compatible songs and uses AI to keep the flow consistent.
21. Visited Places in Maps
Your iPhone can now detect when you visit a place – like a restaurant or park – and log it in a new ‘Visited Places’ tab. This info is stored locally with end-to-end encryption and isn’t visible to Apple.
22. Smarter Route Suggestions
Maps learns your daily commute and suggests preferred routes. It updates you with delay alerts and alternate paths, which is all based on on-device learning.
23. Wallet: Installments and Rewards
When making in-store Apple Pay purchases, you can choose to use rewards or pay in installments. This feature depends on the region and payment provider.
24. Wallet Boarding Passes
Flight passes now show Live Activities for gate updates, baggage info, and navigation inside the airport. You’ll also get contextual features like bag tracking via Find My.
25. Apple Games App
Apple Games is a new unified hub for every game installed on your device. You can track updates, join events, and resume progress quickly – including Apple Arcade titles. This is similar to what we’ve had on Android for years now.
26. AirPods Camera Remote
Your AirPods can now act as remote shutters for your iPhone or iPad camera. Long-press the stem to take a photo or start/stop a video. This only works on the newer AirPods models.
27. Studio Audio Recording
Using Voice Isolation, AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 users can now record podcasts or video audio with studio-like clarity, across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Voice Isolation is available in almost every app now.
28. Child Accounts & Parental Controls
It’s easier to set up or migrate kids into dedicated Child Accounts. Parents now have more visibility over contacts, blurred sensitive content in Shared Albums or FaceTime, and can approve app downloads outside age restrictions.
29. Enhanced Safari Privacy
Fingerprinting protections, previously limited, now apply across all websites by default. This makes tracking users harder for advertisers.
30. Accessibility Reader & Braille Access
Yes, this update also brings some accessibility features. A new Accessibility Reader gives users control over font size, contrast, and layout for better readability. Braille Access introduces a full interface for braille display users, letting them navigate iPhone independently.
ALSO READ: Apple WWDC 2025: AirPods Just Got Two New Features Enhancing Usability
Supported Devices for iOS 26
iOS 26 will roll out to the following iPhones this fall:
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e, 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
You can install the Developer Beta right now, with the Public Beta being available next month.
Apple Intelligence features are only supported on:
- iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max
- All iPhone 16 models
- iPads with A17 Pro and newer
- Macs and iPads with M1 and newer
Language support is limited initially to English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified, with more coming later this year.
ALSO READ: WWDC 2025: Apple Announces macOS Tahoe with New Capabilities for Spotlight & Continuity
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