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In simply few weeks, Apple’s annual iPhone event will seemingly be upon us, which implies we’ll lastly get a have a look at the latest iPhone 17 lineup. As well as, the corporate will even give us an official date for downloading iOS 26. Till that occurs, you possibly can download and install the newly launched public beta 4 (or iOS 26 developer beta 7 for builders). I have been enjoying round with it for the previous couple of weeks, and have discovered that taking screenshots is method higher within the new working system — Google and ChatGPT search choices are actually within the screenshots editor, as an illustration. You possibly can see a extra full view of the brand new options in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta release, which reveals off the recent dwelling and lock display screen redesign. Referred to as Liquid Glass, the brand new translucent look will prolong throughout all of Apple’s upcoming working techniques. The overhaul is certainly one of a number of large modifications coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple’s software program suite, all of which have been showcased throughout the firm’s WWDC keynote on June 9.

After overpromising on AI plans final yr, Apple saved its iOS roadmap targeted 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 choice to carry your spot on a telephone name if you’ve been ready for a consultant to select up. Plus, a treasured characteristic that we took without any consideration is coming again (trace: it is within the Photographs 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 “in the coming year,” so that you should not count on any main modifications 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 artificial intelligence models 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 as if extra new enhancements are popping up, like this new AirPods gesture we’re all interested in, and this FaceTime characteristic 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 reports. Some or all of these modifications will seemingly quickly migrate into the separate public beta (see beneath). Most newer iPhone fashions are eligible to download iOS 26 (each the betas and closing model). Need to see the total listing of recent options coming this fall? Learn on.

What’s iOS 26?

The present iPhone working system is iOS 18, and Apple remains to be actively updating it — model 18.6.1 was launched to restore Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring performance for sure customers within the US. Extra not too long ago, Apple released 18.6.2 to deal with a vulnerability associated to picture processing. 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, much like automotive mannequin years. So whereas iOS and its sibling working techniques can be launched in late 2025, they’re all designated “26” to replicate the yr forward.

What’s Liquid Glass design?

Let’s be sincere. Out of all the pieces introduced at WWDC this yr, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone’s dwelling and lock screens have appeared just about the identical yr after yr — the final thrilling factor (for my part) was the choice so as to add your individual aesthetic to your house 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 material” since, nicely, the apps and widgets are clear. Nonetheless, the display screen can nonetheless adapt to darkish and light-weight modes, relying on environment. You may 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 straightforward 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 course, even when it is considerably paying homage to Microsoft’s translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from practically twenty years in the past.

That stated, as of the discharge of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing again the transparency in no less than some locations. And whereas it is going to proceed to evolve, Apple customers will not be capable to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes extra cohesive. Here is a have a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the new macOS Tahoe 26 in your desktop.

What are the brand new and notable options of iOS 26?

iOS 26 has a laundry listing of recent options. Among the many most worthwhile:

Cellphone app redesign: You may lastly be capable to scroll by way of contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new characteristic referred to as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the telephone so you possibly can keep away from the elevator music and proceed on with different duties.

Dwell 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. Dwell Translation will translate your dialog in actual time, which ends up in 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 as if a whole bunch of messages in your group chat? You and your pals will quickly be capable to create polls in group messages for deciding issues like which brunch spot you are consuming at or whose automotive you take on a highway 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 characteristic will will let you seek for something that is in your iPhone display screen. As an example, if you happen to spot a pair of footwear somebody is carrying in an Instagram photograph, you possibly can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to seek out these footwear (or comparable ones) on-line.

Photographs tabs are again: For anybody who’s nonetheless annoyed with the Photos changes made last year, you will be comfortable to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections can have their very own separate areas so you do not have to scroll to infinity to seek out what you are in search of.

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

New lock screen options: 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 modifications coming to iPadOS 26

Your iPad is not getting left behind with regards to large updates. Here is what’s coming this fall.

Multitasking and actual windowing: While you obtain the latest replace, you can have a number of apps working in your display screen on the identical time. When you open an app, it will 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 characteristic is optionally available so you possibly can flip it off if you happen to 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 choice if you happen to’re in search of one thing particular.

Try our first impressions of iPadOS 26.

What about AirPods?

AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Listed here are among the extra notable features.

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

Digicam distant management: Utilizing this, you possibly can take a photograph or begin and cease video recording with only one press in your AirPods. When taking images, you will get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.

Dwell translation characteristic: Whereas not formally introduced or confirmed, it seems that the long-rumored stay translation for AirPods could 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 reveals phrases in a number of totally different languages.

Which iPhones will be capable 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 suitable with the most recent improve. However any iPhones launched in 2019 or later can be eligible for the iOS 26 update.

• iPhone SE (second technology or later)

Not listed below are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or perhaps iPhone 26?) which are 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 accessible to obtain by way of the Apple Beta Software Program. Should you’re not already a member, you will want to enroll to check out all the most recent options. Simply go to beta.apple.com and join along with your telephone quantity or electronic mail tackle. It is free.

When you’re in, you possibly can set up it by going to Settings > Basic > Software program Replace and deciding on iOS 26 public beta.

A phrase of warning: Do not join along with your fundamental iPhone until 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 can 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.

Should you’re extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, this is everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more throughout WWDC. Additionally, try how iOS 26 screenshots might be an intriguing preview of Apple’s delayed Siri rework.

Replace, August 20: Famous that iOS 26 public beta 4 and iOS 18.6.2 are actually accessible 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 accessible 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 characteristic 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 accessible.

Replace, July 24: Famous the iOS 26 public beta is now accessible.

Replace, July 3: Famous new FaceTime characteristic 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 modifications added in iOS 26 beta 2.