Apple rolls out iOS 26 update with new design and features — what to know

Apple releases latest iPhone, thinnest ever "Air"

Apple announced the release of their latest batch of tech products, including updates to the in-demand products iPhones and AirPods.

LOS ANGELES - Apple has released iOS 26, the newest version of its iPhone software, delivering one of the biggest design and feature overhauls in years. The free update is now available to download for compatible iPhones.

The rollout follows Apple’s announcement of the iPhone Air and other models last week. But users don’t need a new device to see big changes: iOS 26 introduces a redesigned interface, new communication tools, and expanded artificial intelligence features.

How to download iOS 26

What you can do:

iPhones will alert users when the update is available, but it can also be checked manually by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple recommends enabling automatic updates to ensure the latest security protections.

The update supports iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 11, and newer models. However, Apple Intelligence tools — such as Visual Intelligence — require the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 17, or iPhone 17 Pro series released since 2023.

A major redesign: Apple’s Liquid Glass look

The most visible change in iOS 26 is the Liquid Glass design, which adds transparency and sheen to menus and icons. Elements move dynamically as users scroll or switch between apps, while icons can be made completely transparent to show wallpaper underneath.

Apple has built in accessibility controls to adjust transparency, contrast, and motion for users who find the effects distracting.

Live translation across calls and texts

iOS 26 introduces live language translation for Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls. Once language packs are downloaded, conversations can be translated in real time without sending data to the cloud.

• In Messages, translations appear alongside the original text.
• In FaceTime, spoken words are transcribed and translated on screen.
• On phone calls, a synthesized voice provides real-time translation in supported languages.

Currently, Apple supports English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese, with more languages promised later this year.

Apple’s iOS 26 update introduces a new Liquid Glass design and other features for iPhone users. The software is now available to download on compatible devices. (Apple. )

New tools for calls and messages

Several quality-of-life upgrades are part of iOS 26:

• Hold Assist: Automatically saves a user’s place in line when put on hold and calls back when a representative answers.
• Spam filters: Texts from unknown senders and calls from unfamiliar numbers can be automatically filtered out, reducing scams and robocalls.
• Polls in group chats: Messages now allow polls for quick group decisions.
• Typing indicators in group chats: Users can see when multiple people are typing, a feature common on other platforms.

Extra features users will notice

Other additions include:

• Custom chat backgrounds with colors, images, or AI-generated art.
• Password history in the Passwords app for easy retrieval of past logins.
• Customizable snooze alarms in the Clock app.
• Visual Intelligence for screenshots, offering instant AI search or summaries of saved images.
• Simplified Photos app, separating the Library and Collections views for easier navigation.

Big picture view:

iOS 26 marks Apple’s shift toward AI-powered features across its ecosystem. Still, one highly anticipated upgrade remains absent: a more advanced version of Siri. Apple has said improvements are on the way but has not given a release timeline.

For now, the combination of a new interface and practical tools — from translation to spam call blocking — makes iOS 26 one of the company’s most significant updates in recent years.