When can you download iOS 26? Here’s what you need to know

A complete redesign

iOS 26 will represent the largest interface redesign since iO7, so it’s the working system replace to get enthusiastic about.

Apple introduced an enormous design overhaul, impressed by visionOS, which was created for Apple’s combined actuality headset, Imaginative and prescient Professional. Inside Apple, the design mission was codenamed “Solarium” nevertheless it’s publicly known as “Liquid Glass”.

The design modifications will embody new controls and navigation, and translucent app icons and widgets. What’s extra, the aesthetic will lengthen throughout the vary of Apple merchandise, giving the interfaces of the Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Imaginative and prescient Professional a unified look.

On the coronary heart of the visible modifications are clear, floating menus and home windows, with glassy results. These shall be extra dynamic than the present design, with tabs and menus increasing when at entrance and centre, and shrinking when not in use.

The lock display screen would be the focus of design modifications, with the time show enlarging to fill house in your chosen picture. Wallpapers may also transfer with a responsive, 3D design once you choose up your telephone. And, if you happen to use Apple Music, the lock display screen can characteristic animated album artwork.

Apple

The Digicam app shall be one other focus of the redesign, with a cleaner, extra streamlined interface and fewer distractions across the viewfinder.

Apple

Apple Music, Information and Podcasts may also characteristic new Liquid Glass parts, and a contemporary set of APIs offered to builders signifies that third-party apps may also undertake the look.

Dwell Translation

A key Apple intelligence characteristic of iOS 26 is dwell translation, both via textual content or captions on movies, throughout Messages, FaceTime, and Cellphone. What’s even higher is that translation is run completely on system, so conversations stay non-public.

Apple

Enhanced Apple Intelligence

Dwell Translation isn’t the one new Apple Intelligence characteristic that’s coming. Nonetheless, given the truth that it’s lagging different AI and that Apple introduced options final yr which have nonetheless not arrived, maybe it’s no shock that this yr’s suite of bulletins feels extra modest.

As a substitute of rumoured Gemini integration, customers will as an alternative have the ability to ask ChatGPT questions. The main target right here is on Visible intelligence, which means that you simply’ll have the ability to ask questions on pictures in your display screen and shall be prompted so as to add related occasions to your calendar.

There’s additionally a business angle, as you’ll have the ability to use it to go looking Google, Etsy and different supported apps for merchandise just like objects in photographs you’re viewing.

Apple

Lastly, Apple introduced AI updates to Picture Playground and Genmoji.

Video games app

A brand new Video games app merely known as Video games – will change the Sport Middle app, providing new options to cell players. Video games shall be a gaming hub, with suggestions, leaderboards, matchmaking and information. You’ll have the ability to discover all of your downloaded video games there, and problem pals to matches.

As of 9 June, a brand new Apple Video games area seems to be dwell – though on the time of writing, it’s not but accessible to browse.

Different options

• Messages: Texts from unknown senders are filtered right into a separate record; a brand new ballot characteristic is to be added.
• Apple Music: An AI DJ characteristic will beat match and fade songs out and in for seamless units; you’ll have the ability to pin music on the prime of your lists.
• Maps: Most popular routes, with data on journey time, will seem; itemizing of locations you usually go to – however all journey and site data is end-to-end encrypted for privateness.
• Cellphone app: New unified structure; name screening; maintain help.
• Pictures app: Separate Library and Collections views, permitting customers select a system of organisation rather more just like the earlier, extra in style iteration.

Not introduced: Apple Intelligence battery administration system

The rumoured AI battery administration system, which can analyse your telephone utilization and provide help to to maximise battery life, was not introduced at WWDC. It was additionally anticipated to be introduced in September alongside the launch of the iPhone 17 collection, nevertheless it was not talked about.

It was considered supposed particularly for the iPhone 17 Air, the place battery measurement is the compromise for the telephone’s slimness and lightweight weight.

Nevertheless it’s not recognized when this characteristic will arrive, or if will probably be accessible for all Apple handsets appropriate with Apple Intelligence, or solely the Air.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Sources: MacRumors | MacRumours (2)

A shift in software program rollouts

Whereas not a characteristic in itself, a big shift in Apple’s method to software program improvement could affect when iOS 26 options roll out.

Foundry

The model is predicted to maneuver away from inflexible, annual characteristic launches, as an alternative specializing in releasing updates when they’re prepared.

This technique goals to make sure a extra polished and refined expertise for customers – and keep away from a repeat of the unfulfilled Apple Intelligence guarantees, wherein AI options have been introduced at September 2024’s Apple Occasion, and subsequently didn’t materialise. This technique signifies that we might even see fewer options at launch.

Foundry

Sources: Bloomberg | Mark Gurman on X