Apple's iOS 26 introduces a fresh design language called Liquid Glass, enhancing user experience with visually appealing elements. The update includes improvements in camera access, messaging, maps, and more. Notably, new AI features are available only in English, and the update also offers better child protection and a revamped gaming app.
Discover the Exciting New Features in iOS 26
Discover the Exciting New Features in iOS 26
The new design language, Liquid Glass, is the most significant visual change in the new iOS. However, there's much more beneath the surface. ✓ Major visual transformation ✓ The most exciting features ✓ What's unavailable in Sweden
Apple releases a new version of the iOS operating system every year. This year's edition, iOS 26, began rolling out on Monday. The name itself marks a change, as the number now reflects the release year rather than the version sequence.
To get the new version, go to the Settings app, navigate to General, and select Software Update. If iOS 26 is available, it will appear there.
Let's explore what's included in the update:
New Design
Liquid Glass is Apple's new design language, and it's the highlight of this update. The design features content and interactions that appear to be made of glass, enhancing the user experience. It also allows for improvements in lock screen layout and 3D effects in wallpapers.
Camera and Photos
Accessing photo and video modes becomes smoother. If you have AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 2 or 3, you can take pictures with a tap on the earbud stem.
The phone will prompt you to clean the lens when it gets dirty.
Navigation in the photo app is simplified and more clearly divided, with new layout options.
Telephony and Messaging
The Call Screen and Call Assist features make it easy to handle calls from unknown numbers.
Calls made via the phone app, FaceTime app, or messaging app now support live translation.
You can create polls in group chats, which also support custom backgrounds.
Previewing and filtering messages from unknown senders becomes easier.
Group chats now have a typing indicator, showing when someone is about to type.
Maps
The Maps app can now identify the routes you usually take to various destinations and suggest alternative routes.
Wallet
You can now get installment plan options from your bank or card issuer when making purchases in stores with Apple Pay.
Boarding passes stored in the wallet app provide more detailed flight information and easy access to airline app features.
Packages can be tracked directly in the wallet app.
Music
Apple Music introduces a DJ feature that beatmixes to eliminate silence between songs, a feature already available on Spotify.
You can pin songs, albums, and playlists at the top of your library for easy access.
Lyrics translation is also available, making it easier to understand song meanings.
Gaming
The Apple Games app receives a major overhaul, becoming more of a "game hub" that makes it easy to challenge friends and track scores in real-time.
You'll also receive game recommendations based on your taste.
Battery
A new battery tab appears in the settings app, providing an estimate of charging time. Apple also introduces an adaptive energy mode to improve battery life.
CarPlay
CarPlay also adopts the Liquid Glass design language, resulting in a slightly different appearance.
The view for incoming calls becomes more compact, minimizing navigation disruption.
Responding to messages with reactions becomes easier, and the most common conversations can be pinned at the top of messages.
Enhanced Child Protection
It's now easy to convert accounts to child accounts, allowing the use of available security systems.
Parents can require children to share their age group with third-party apps, ensuring access only to age-appropriate features.
Children can send communication requests to their parents to talk to a new phone number.
New AI Features (English Only)
English must be enabled as a language to access the new AI features launched with iOS 26. These include the ability to have the phone summarize on-screen content, an improved version of the AI assistant Siri, and new image styles in Image Playground.
More Features and Enhancements
iOS 26 includes more new features and enhancements, but due to space constraints, we can't list all the updates here. More detailed information is available in the "About this Update" section on your phone when you choose to update to iOS 26.