It is nearly time: The Apple iPhone 17 event begins in the present day at 1PM ET — that is simply hours away. If you wish to comply with alongside, you’ll be able to watch the iPhone 17 launch live and comply with Engadget’s Apple event liveblog. Along with the iPhone 17 lineup — together with the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air — we’re additionally anticipating to see new Apple Watch fashions, in addition to a brand new AirPods Professional.
Assuming Apple sticks to custom, we should always be capable of set up iOS 26 a few week or so after the showcase. However you do not have to attend to check out the brand new options, since you’ll be able to download and install the newly launched public beta 6 or iOS 26 developer beta 9. (See our preview of the iOS 26 public beta release for more information.) The very first thing you may discover is a brand new clear design language Apple dubs Liquid Glass. The translucent look may be discovered inside apps in addition to your lock and residential screens. The overhaul is one among a number of massive adjustments coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder of Apple’s software program suite
After overpromising on AI plans final 12 months, Apple saved its iOS roadmap targeted extra on fundamental high quality of life enhancements with iOS 26. There are a number of helpful additions coming to the Telephone and Messages apps, as an example: Apple execs outlined the power to weed out spam texts or unknown senders and an possibility to carry your spot on a cellphone name while you’ve been ready for a consultant to choose up.
It looks as if extra new enhancements are popping up (or not less than hinted at) with every beta, similar to an AirPods live translation feature and a brand new bouncy animation on the passcode display screen and within the Management Heart. A few of these adjustments have already migrated into the separate public beta. Most newer iPhone fashions are eligible to download iOS 26 (each the betas and last model). We have rounded up a full checklist of recent options coming this fall beneath.
What’s iOS 26?
The present iPhone working system is iOS 18, which Apple remains to be actively updating — model 18.6.1 was launched final month, for instance, to restore Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring performance for sure customers within the US. Extra lately, Apple released iOS 18.6.2 to handle a vulnerability associated to picture processing. Apple has formally stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors reports, which suggests it could possibly not be put in in your iPhone because of a “server-side software program verification examine.” That is fairly regular when newer variations can be found to obtain.
However do not count on to ever see an iOS 19. As a substitute, Apple is skipping its naming conference forward to iOS 26. (Apple can be anticipated to launch iOS 18.7 on the identical time, per MacRumors, to handle safety points.) The corporate has determined to line up its iOS model numbers with a year-based system, just like automotive mannequin years. So whereas iOS and its sibling working methods shall be launched in late 2025, they’re all designated “26” to replicate the 12 months forward.
What’s Liquid Glass design?
Let’s be sincere. Out of all the pieces introduced at WWDC this 12 months, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the present. The iPhone’s dwelling and lock screens have regarded just about the identical 12 months after 12 months — the final thrilling factor (in my view) was the choice so as to add your personal 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 lightweight modes, relying on environment. You may additionally discover buttons with a brand new floating design in a number of apps, like Telephone and Maps. They’re designed to be much less distracting than the present buttons, however are nonetheless simple to see. Whereas the design overhaul has confirmed to be controversial since its announcement, some — together with Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar — like the brand new route, even when it is considerably paying homage to Microsoft’s translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from practically twenty years in the past.
That mentioned, 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 not less than some locations. And whereas it should proceed to evolve, Apple customers will not be capable of escape it: The corporate says Liquid Glass was designed to make all of its platforms 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 checklist of recent options. Among the many most worthwhile:
Telephone app redesign: You may lastly be capable of scroll by means of contacts, current calls and voicemail messages all on one display screen. It additionally comes with a brand new function referred to as Maintain Help that’ll notify you when an agent involves the cellphone so you’ll be able to keep away from the elevator music and proceed on with different duties.
Stay Translation in Telephone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the power to have a dialog by way of cellphone name or textual content message with somebody who speaks one other language. Stay 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: Uninterested in sorting by means of what looks as if a whole bunch of messages in your group chat? You and your folks will quickly be capable of create polls in group messages for deciding issues like which brunch spot you are consuming at or whose automotive you take on a street journey.
Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you have not obtained 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 function will help you seek for something that is in your iPhone display screen. As an illustration, if you happen to spot a pair of footwear somebody is carrying in an Instagram picture, you’ll be able to screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to seek out these footwear (or related ones) on-line.
Images tabs are again: For anybody who’s been pissed off with final 12 months’s changes to the Photos app, you may be glad to know that your tabs are coming again. Library and Collections may have their very own separate areas so you do not have to scroll to infinity to seek out what you are in search of.
Camera app updates: Navigating the Digital camera app must be easier in iOS 26, as all of the buttons and menus are in handy spots — much less swiping, extra picture taking. Plus, there is a new function that tells you in case your lens must be cleaned.
FaceTime “Communication Security” function: 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 function seems to be a baby security function 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 alarm setting: You may not be caught with the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms. As a substitute, you may have the choice to vary your snooze time from one to fifteen minutes.
Screenshots look different: You may discover a number of new options while you take a screenshot, together with “spotlight to look,” the choice to look your picture on Google and ChatGPT is there for any questions you’ve got concerning the picture.
New adjustments coming to iPadOS 26
Your iPad is not getting left behind in terms of massive updates. Here is what’s coming this fall.
Multitasking and actual windowing: Whenever 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’s going to 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 function is non-obligatory so you’ll be able to 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: Whenever 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 possibility if you happen to’re in search of one thing particular.
There’s extra past that, so you should definitely take a look at our first impressions of iPadOS 26.
What about AirPods?
AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Listed here are a number of the extra notable capabilities.
Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this “studio-quality” audio recording, and with it, you may discover extra readability whereas in noisy environments.
Digital camera distant management: Utilizing this, you’ll be able to take a photograph or begin and cease video recording with only one press in your AirPods. When taking images, you may get a three-second countdown earlier than your iPhone or iPad snaps the image.
Stay translation function: 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 exhibiting a gesture that is triggered by urgent each earbud stems on the identical time. The picture additionally reveals phrases in a number of completely different languages.
Coronary heart price monitoring (rumored for now): Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Professional earbuds this 12 months, which may have coronary heart price monitoring. It could work with Apple’s Well being app and different health apps that monitor coronary heart charges.
Will Siri get an replace?
Siri 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 adjustments within the present betas. However there are experiences that Apple is aiming to offer Siri an even bigger mind transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude, which may make 2026 a pivotal 12 months. The corporate can be reportedly engaged on a “stripped-down” AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.
Which iPhones will be capable of improve to iOS 26?
Just a few 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 from 2019 or later shall be eligible for iOS 26:
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iPhone SE (second era or later)
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iPhone 11
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iPhone 11 Professional
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iPhone 11 Professional Max
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iPhone 12
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iPhone 12 mini
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iPhone 12 Professional
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iPhone 12 Professional Max
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iPhone 13
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iPhone 13 mini
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iPhone 13 Professional
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iPhone 13 Professional Max
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iPhone 14
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iPhone 14 Plus
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iPhone 14 Professional
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iPhone 14 Professional Max
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iPhone 15
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iPhone 15 Plus
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iPhone 15 Professional
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iPhone 15 Professional Max
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iPhone 16
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iPhone 16 Plus
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iPhone 16 Professional
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iPhone 16 Professional Max
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iPhone 16e
Not listed below are the 4 presumed iPhone 17 models which might be all however sure to be introduced and launched in September.
The right way to set up iOS 26 beta
The iOS 26 public beta is now obtainable to obtain by way of the Apple Beta Software Program. If you happen to’re not already a member, you may want to enroll to check out all the most recent options. Simply go to beta.apple.com and enroll along with your cellphone quantity or e-mail deal with. It is free.
When you’re in, you’ll be able to set up it by going to Settings > Normal > Software program Replace and deciding on iOS 26 public beta.
A phrase of warning: Do not enroll along with your primary iPhone except 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 shall be launched to the general public this fall. It often is available in September, inside per week of the Apple iPhone occasion. Final 12 months, it rolled out to iPhone customers on September 16 — precisely one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was introduced. Because the iPhone 17 occasion falls on September 9 this 12 months, it is doable the downloads will hit our telephones on September 16.
If you happen to’re extra within the Apple Intelligence options coming, here is everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more throughout WWDC. Additionally, take a look at how iOS 26 screenshots might be an intriguing preview of Apple’s delayed Siri rework.
Replace, September 9: Famous the iPhone occasion is beginning quickly.
Replace, September 8: Famous the iPhone 17 occasion is tomorrow.
Replace, September 4: Added particulars about how screenshots are completely different in iOS 26.
Replace, September 3: Famous Apple is anticipated to launch iOS 18.7 alongside iOS 26.
Replace, September 2: Added extra new options coming with iOS 26.
Replace, August 29: Added new part about Siri and a hyperlink to what’s new with the iOS 26 Digital camera app.
Replace, August 27: Added the official iPhone 17 occasion date, in addition to the potential iOS 26 launch.
Replace, August 25: Added a rumor about new AirPods Professional having coronary heart price monitoring.
Replace, August 22: Famous that Apple has formally stopped signing iOS 18.6.
Replace, August 20: Famous that iOS 26 public beta 4 and iOS 18.6.2 at the moment are obtainable to obtain.
Replace, August 18: Added particulars a few 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 obtainable 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 function 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 Prepare dinner about iOS 26.
Replace, July 31: Famous that iOS 18.6 is now obtainable.
Replace, July 24: Famous the iOS 26 public beta is now obtainable.
Replace, July 3: Famous new FaceTime function discovered within the developer beta.
Replace, June 30: Famous ongoing iOS 18 releases, and experiences that Apple is contemplating extra exterior LLMs for Siri.
Replace, June 25: Famous adjustments added in iOS 26 beta 2.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cell/ios-26-what-to-know-about-the-free-iphone-software-update-ahead-of-the-apple-event-today-135749306.html?src=rss
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