Apple’s iOS 26 update is finally here, rolling out on September 15 2025 alongside the launch of the iPhone 17 series. This update brings the biggest design change in years and a variety of smart new features designed to make the iPhone easier and more fun to use. If you’ve been wondering, whats new in iOS 26? This blog breaks down all the key updates in simple words that anyone can understand.
Table of Contents
A Fresh New Look: Introducing Liquid Glass
The most noticeable change in iOS 26 is the new Liquid Glass design. Apple has completely redesigned the user interface to give it a smooth, glass-like appearance. Icons, menus, and buttons now look transparent with soft light effects that seem to flow and move gently when you touch or tilt your phone. This liquid effect creates a modern, stylish feel without losing the easy usability iPhone users are familiar with.
You’ll also notice the home screen looks clearer and less cluttered because Liquid Glass allows some transparency. For the first time, users can choose whether their icons keep the standard look or take on a semi-transparent style that reveals the wallpaper behind them. This makes the iPhone feel new and fresh while still simple to use.
Smarter Messaging with New Group Features
iOS 26 brings some exciting improvements to the Messages app. You can now customize group chats with colorful backgrounds or custom images so your conversations feel more personal. Apple has also added the ability to create polls inside group chats, which makes planning events or making decisions easy without leaving the app.
Finding old messages is simpler too. The update adds natural language search so you can type regular questions like “pictures from July” or “messages about vacation” and quickly find what you want.
Plus, Apple’s AI helps suggest polls automatically in conversations where it thinks they might be useful. You’ll also see typing indicators in group chats, and you can send or request Apple Cash directly within messages more smoothly.
Powerful New AI Features
One of the biggest strengths of iOS 26 is the addition of AI-powered tools that help with everyday tasks.
- Live Translation: This feature allows you to translate text messages and phone or FaceTime calls in real time in multiple languages. This means you can easily communicate with people who speak different languages without any extra apps or complicated settings. The feature also works with AirPods, translating conversations as you listen.
- Voicemail Summaries: Rather than listening to a full voicemail, iOS 26 can read a short summary powered by AI. This saves time and helps you decide whether you need to listen to the entire message.
- Image Playground & Genmoji: You can now create images using AI tools like ChatGPT right on your iPhone. Plus, the new Genmoji feature lets you blend multiple emojis together to make custom, fun emoji combos.
- Visual Intelligence: Get smart help by tapping on anything on your screen. For example, you can search screenshots, photos, or text with enhanced AI assistance.
Redesigned Core Apps for Easier Use
Beyond design and AI, iOS 26 updates many of the apps you use every day:
- Photos: The Photos app is cleaner and easier to navigate with two main tabs Library and Collections. It also brings spatial scenes that add a 3D effect to your favorite photos, making them come alive on your lock screen.
- Camera: The Camera app now shows only the necessary modes like Photo and Video by default, simplifying the user interface. Options and settings are easier to find by swiping instead of digging through menus.
- Games: Apple introduced a brand-new Games app that works as a hub for all your mobile games, including Apple Arcade titles. You can track leaderboards, achievements, and compare scores with friends in one place.
- Clock: You can now set custom snooze durations from 1 to 15 minutes on alarms, giving more control over your wake-up routine.
- CarPlay: The in-car experience gets a refresh too. CarPlay now shows incoming calls in a compact view so you won’t lose sight of your maps or music when a call comes in. You can also respond to messages with Tapbacks and follow Live Activities, staying connected while keeping your focus on the road.
- Wallet: iOS 26 lets you store your passport securely within the Apple Wallet app, along with credit cards, tickets, and boarding passes for easy travel.
Other Useful Features and Improvements
- Message Filtering: Texts from unknown numbers automatically move to a separate folder, keeping your main inbox clean.
- Adaptive Power Mode: Helps save battery life by adjusting system performance based on how you use your phone.
- Audio Recording: You can record higher-quality audio during video calls and capture HD sound in Camera if you use AirPods Pro with the H2 chip.
- Accessibility: New options include better support for braille users, motion sickness reduction settings, and customizable reading settings for easier screen use.
- Family Controls: Parents can move kids to Child Accounts and enable improved parental controls for communication safety and App Store use.
- Recovery Assistant: This new tool helps fix issues if your iPhone doesn’t start up normally, making device recovery easier without professional help.
Which Devices Support iOS 26?
iOS 26 supports a wide range of iPhones starting from the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone 11 series up to the latest iPhone 17 models. Older iPhone versions are not compatible. To check if your iPhone supports the update, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
How to Update Your iPhone to iOS 26
When iOS 26 becomes available, updating is easy:
- Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General, then tap Software Update.
- Follow the prompts to download and install the update.
Make sure your iPhone has sufficient battery life or plug it in during the update process.
Final Thoughts: A Big Step Forward for iPhone Users
So, whats new in iOS 26? The update brings an eye-catching new design, clever AI-powered tools, and many helpful tweaks to core apps. It focuses on making the iPhone more personal, intelligent, and easy to use. Whether you want better messaging features, live translation during calls, or a sleek new interface, iOS 26 has something to offer every iPhone user.
Get ready to explore the fresh look and smart features coming to your iPhone with iOS 26. It’s a big step forward that keeps your device feeling new and exciting, even if you’ve used iPhones for years.
FAQ
Does iOS 26 have new emojis?
Yes, iOS 26 introduces new emojis along with the ability to blend multiple emojis into a single custom Genmoji, allowing for more creative and fun expressions.
What phones won’t get iOS 26?
Older iPhones before the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone 11 series will not get iOS 26. This means devices like the iPhone 8, iPhone X, and earlier models are not supported.
Why is the update called iOS 26 if the last was iOS 18?
Apple has adjusted its iOS version numbering scheme to make it easier to track yearly updates. The version number jumped to 26 to align with the current year, 2025.
Will iOS 26 have a new ringtone?
Yes, iOS 26 includes a new Liquid Glass ringtone designed to match the new visual style of the update, giving users a fresh sound experience.
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