It's finally here! You can now download iOS 26 on your iPhone, and Apple has also rolled out several other new operating systems. The most noticeable change after installing the new OS is the introduction of a fresh design language dubbed Liquid Glass. This new translucent aesthetic enhances the appearance of apps, as well as your lock and home screens. If the clear design isn't to your liking, you can easily reduce the transparency.
The redesign is just one of many significant changes accompanying iOS 26, along with updates to macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and the rest of Apple's software suite. Users can expect multiple useful additions in the Phone and Messages apps, like the ability to filter out spam texts and unknown senders. You can also now maintain your place in a phone call while waiting for a representative to pick up. For added fun, iOS 26 allows users to create polls in group texts.
Other exciting features include a confirmed AirPods live translation capability and a new bouncy animation on the passcode screen and in the Control Center. If you're considering an upgrade, Apple has revealed several new models at its iPhone 17 event, including the sleek iPhone 17 lineup and the all-new ultra-thin iPhone Air.
If you're wondering what iOS 26 entails and if you should download iOS 18.7 first, here's the scoop. Instead of following the traditional naming conventions, Apple has chosen to align its iOS version numbers with a year-based system. So, while the updates were released in 2025, they are all labeled 26 to reflect the upcoming year.
Alongside iOS 26, Apple has also released iOS 18.7 to address security issues, which is great news for those with phones not eligible to run the latest OS. Deciding which version to download first depends on your preferences: do you want the latest features now, or would you rather wait for potential bug fixes?
Among the announcements made during WWDC this year, the Liquid Glass design has garnered significant attention. The iPhone's home and lock screens have largely remained the same over the years, with the last major change being the ability to customize apps and widgets. The new translucent look is refreshing and innovative.
So, what exactly is Liquid Glass? It is described by Apple as a new translucent material that allows for clear apps and widgets while still adapting to dark and light modes based on the environment. You'll also notice a floating button design in several apps, such as Phone and Maps, aimed at being less distracting while remaining visible. While the design has sparked some controversy, many, including Engadget's Devindra Hardawar, appreciate the new aesthetic, even if it resembles Microsoft's Vista Aero from two decades ago.
If you find the new clear look unappealing after downloading iOS 26, you can adjust some Accessibility settings, though you can't completely disable Liquid Glass. To reduce the liquid effect, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and toggle on Reduce Motion. To make your drop-down menus more opaque, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle on Reduce Transparency. You can also revert your clear apps to their previous state by pressing and holding any app on your screen, selecting Edit Home Screen, and tapping Edit (top left) to customize your display options.
iOS 26 comes packed with a plethora of new features, among the most significant being:
Redesigned Phone App: Users can now scroll through contacts, recent calls, and voicemail messages on one screen, along with a new feature called Hold Assist that notifies you when an agent is on the line. Live Translation: Engage in real-time conversations in Phone, FaceTime, or Messages with someone who speaks a different language, thanks to Apple Intelligence. Polls in Group Chats: Easily create polls within group messages to make decisions collectively. Filtering Unknown Senders: Spam texts will be filtered into a separate folder, making your messaging experience cleaner. Visual Intelligence: This feature allows you to search for anything displayed on your iPhone screen, similar to a reverse image search. Updated Photos App: The return of the tabs in the Photos app will help users locate their pictures faster. Camera App Enhancements: New features simplify navigation and include notifications for lens cleaning. FaceTime Communication Safety: This new feature pauses communications if nudity is detected, enhancing child safety. Custom Lock Screen Options: More customization options available for the lock screen, including new clock designs and 3D wallpaper effects. New Alarm Settings: You can now adjust your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes. Improvements to Screenshots: Users can highlight to search, and even ask ChatGPT questions about the image. Preview App: A new app that enables users to scan documents, fill out PDFs, and even remove backgrounds from images.Apple hasn't neglected the iPad with the release of iPadOS 26, which includes:
Multitasking: Enjoy the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously, with the option to resize and move them on your screen. Visual Update: The Liquid Glass aesthetic is also present on iPads, enhancing the overall look. New Menu Bar: Swipe down to access options like File, Edit, and Windows, along with a search feature.AirPods are also receiving significant updates with iOS 26. Notable features include:
Enhanced Audio Recording: Experience studio-quality audio recording, even in noisy environments. Camera Remote Control: Use your AirPods to take photos or start/stop video recording with a simple press. Live Translation: Available on AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 when paired with iPhones running iOS 26. Heart Rate Monitoring: The new AirPods Pro 3 includes heart rate monitoring to work with Apple's Health app.While some older models like the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max are not compatible, any iPhone from 2019 onwards is eligible for iOS 26. This includes:
iPhone SE (second generation or later) iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max 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 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max iPhone 16e, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro MaxiOS 26 has officially been released to the public as of September 15. If you are keen on exploring the new features introduced in this update, now is the perfect time to download it. For more details on everything Apple announced during WWDC and the iPhone 17 event, be sure to check out our comprehensive coverage.
Stay tuned for updates as more features and enhancements are revealed with iOS 26!
