iOS 26 launch date, beta, options, compatibility for brand new iOS replace

Apple revealed its plans for its subsequent iOS replace on the WWDC keynote on June 9, 2025. The corporate additionally confirmed off new options for the subsequent iPadOS replace, macOS Tahoe, watchOS and extra on the occasion. 

As per the rumors, the upcoming iOS will probably be often known as iOS 26 fairly than iOS 19, with Apple breaking with custom and switching to an easier naming conference that pertains to the 12 months fairly than a sequential quantity. Apple is taking the chance to carry consistency to the way in which it names all of the working programs, a transfer we at Macworld are celebrating. 

As anticipated, Apple has additionally given all its working programs a significant design overhaul, with iOS benefiting from a brand new design language that makes use of what Apple refers to as Liquid Glass as a result of it provides the whole lot a shiny fluidity. This design extends to the dock and widgets. Apple can be making the entire interface extra intuitive, with adjustments designed to raise the preferred options in addition to aid you discover new ones. 

The redesign isn’t the one change coming to iOS later in 2025. There are additionally adjustments coming to iPhone apps, together with the Cellphone app itself, the Digital camera, FaceTime, Messages and a model new Video games app. You could find out extra about these options under. We additionally share which iPhones are anticipated to be suitable with iOS 26, and which iPhones aren’t supported. 

The total model of iOS 26 gained’t launch till September – you will discover out in regards to the iOS 26 launch date under. However you don’t have to attend till then: Apple runs a beta, so builders and people who need to enroll in the general public beta can strive the brand new options out. Learn on for details about the beta program, together with the anticipated launch date for the Public Beta and any developments within the beta testing program

Keep tuned to this recurrently up to date superguide for the whole lot it’s essential know in regards to the upcoming iOS replace, the newest model of the beta and all the brand new options which might be coming.

Apple

iOS 26 Launch date

• Date TBC: 15 September, 2025 predicted

iOS 26 isn’t out but, at the least not for most of the people. It would seemingly be out there to obtain in September. iPadOS, macOS Tahoe, watchOS and the opposite updates will most likely be out there to obtain on the identical time. This may seemingly occur shortly after the September occasion and the launch of the iPhone 17 and new Apple Watches. 

iOS 26 Beta launch date: Learn how to get iOS 26 early

• Developer beta: June 9, 2025, June 13 replace.
• Public beta TBC: July 15, 2025 estimated

You gained’t have to attend till the complete launch to strive the brand new software program out. Apple runs a developer beta and a public beta for individuals who need to check out the brand new options earlier than they’re launched to most of the people. Each betas are free, although the developer beta requires a free registration as a developer.

The primary model of the iOS developer beta was launched following the WWDC keynote, so builders may instantly start testing it with their merchandise. This beta will not be secure and there have been stories of points from those that put in it right away. Apple up to date the primary developer beta a number of days after the launch.

Apple can even launch a public beta. This normally arrives in July, a couple of month after the primary developer beta. In 2024 it arrived on July 15, so we anticipate the same launch in 2025. 

Between WWDC and the official launch within the fall, Apple will launch a string of beta releases, sometimes eight or so in whole. We’ve a separate article that particulars methods to be part of Apple’s beta software program program so you may take a look at the brand new software program as quickly because the beta arrives.

Anybody utilizing the beta is inspired to file bug stories utilizing the included Apple’s Suggestions Assistant app in order that the corporate can tackle them. If you wish to be taught extra in regards to the beta learn: What’s within the newest iOS beta and methods to get it. And be sure to learn why we advise towards putting in the iOS beta.

iOS 26 supported gadgets: Which iPhones get iOS 26

• Free software program replace for iPhone 11 and later
• The iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max will miss out on iOS 26

The next iPhones will get iOS 26:

• iPhone 16e (2025)
• iPhone 16/16 Plus/16 Professional/16 Professional Max (2024)
• iPhone 15/15 Plus/15 Professional/15 Professional Max (2023)
• iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Professional/14 Professional Max (2022)
• iPhone SE (third gen) (2022)
• iPhone 13/13 mini/13 Professional/13 Professional Max (2021)
• iPhone 12/12 mini/12 Professional/12 Professional Max (2020)
• iPhone SE (2nd gen) (2020)
• iPhone 11/11 Professional/11 Professional Max (2019)

When Apple updates the working system for its gadgets it usually implies that sure fashions are usually not suitable with the replace. The iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, which had been supported by iOS 18 and launched in 2018, will miss out on iOS 26. 

This doesn’t imply that these 2018 iPhones are unsupported by Apple. Apple will proceed to difficulty security-related software program updates to iOS 18 for a number of extra years. Examine how lengthy iPhones are supported to search out out which iPhones are now not supported with safety updates. 

Nor does this imply that every one the supported iPhones get all the brand new options. As was the case in 2024, solely sure iPhones can help Apple Intelligence powered options. That’s the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max and the entire of the  iPhone 16 vary. Which means in case your telephone isn’t a kind of talked about you miss out on options such because the Visible Intelligence and Genmoji updates, in addition to the Cellphone app skill to handle your undesirable calls. 

Learn how the brand new iOS compares with the present model in our comparability of iOS 26 vs iOS 18: What’s completely different, what’s new, and do you have to replace?

iOS 26 design: Liquid Glass and different design adjustments

Apple

Through the WWDC keynote Apple previewed the brand new iPhone options coming later in 2025. The most important change is a visible one: a daring new redesign known as Liquid Glass.

This represents the largest change to iOS since iOS 7 was launched in 2013. Again then Apple dropped the skeuomorphic design in favor of flat symbolic icons. This time the interface will probably be extra curved with a number of translucent components.

There are additionally adjustments coming that can simplify app interfaces and make the content material extra seen.

What’s Liquid Glass?

The adjustments coming in iOS 26 had been rumoured to be “Slicker and extra fashionable” with Apple stated to be adopting components from visionOS. The brand new design lives as much as these expectations. It’s based mostly on a graphical consumer interface that Apple is asking Liquid Glass, which creates a translucent impact that mimics the qualities of glass.

Apple says that it’s going to really feel extra like interacting with the bodily world, with components being be extra curved and fewer flat and dynamically reacting to your contact.

Apple says the adjustments blur the traces between {hardware} and software program. The truth is, in accordance with Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is designing a twentieth anniversary iPhone with curved glass on all sides that would be the supreme showcase for Liquid Glass.

This new Liquid Glass design extends to all of Apple’s merchandise and to all of Apple’s apps. You’ll see the impact on the Dock, widgets and icons. Panes, home windows, buttons and menus will probably be offered as translucent layers with specular highlights.

The Liquid Glass components will change colour to mirror the content material beneath as you scroll and it will likely be attainable to see blurred and refracted components of the background by means of the highest layer. This final level has result in some concern about readability, with the seen backgrounds affecting readability of textual content, for instance.

Interface adjustments 

Apple

Apple is designing the interface to offer a clearer view of what’s under the instruments and menu bars. Menus will shrink as you scroll to disclose the content material under. Apple can be eradicating among the muddle from menus to simplify issues and emphasise the extra incessantly used choices. For instance, fairly than occupying an oblong bar on the backside of the display screen, teams of controls will seem on floating components that come out further controls, change as you progress between views, and are tucked away if you scroll.

These adjustments to the menus are designed to make it simpler to entry the options you utilize most frequently, and uncover others. Apple is attempting to make iOS and its apps extra intuitive. 

A superb instance of how these design adjustments will probably be utilized is the Lock Display screen, which will probably be extra adaptive. The picture you select as your wallpaper will probably be scaled to suit the peak and width of the Lock Display screen and positioned to fill the out there area round components just like the time. Moreover, the wallpaper picture will slide up as notifications are available.

We’ll talk about the adjustments coming to particular person apps under, however basically Apple is making it simpler to search out the instruments you normally use, with out the muddle of all the opposite options you don’t want.

iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence

Apple has been having bother with a few of it’s AI efforts, particularly the Siri options that had been touted at WWDC 2024. Apple had promised that iOS 18.4 would carry a significant replace to Siri, the place it might be higher at pure conversations with the consumer, utilizing private context, consciousness of what’s on display screen, and the flexibility to carry out in-app actions.

Apple has confirmed that these Siri-related options have been pushed again till 2026, which suggests they need to come as an replace to iOS 26, maybe in March, however we might be ready even longer.

Apple nonetheless had plenty of spectacular Apple Intelligence powered options to indicate off at WWDC although. The truth is, among the new options coming to Highlight on the Mac appear like among the options promised for Siri.

A few of these new Apple Intelligence options will make a huge impact in apps, particularly the Cellphone app, which we’ll talk about under. One other beneficiary of Apple Intelligence is Visible Intelligence, which was launched in iOS 18 and good points a really helpful skill in iOS 26.

Visible Intelligence in iOS 26

IDG

In iOS 18 you need to use Visible Intelligence by holding up the iPhone to view one thing you had been interested in, triggering Visible Intelligence (by way of the Digital camera Management button when you’ve got one, or by way of the Management Centre if not) and viewing details about what you had been pointing the digital camera at. It may establish a constructing, or provide so as to add the date from a poster to your calendar, for instance. That’s all very properly if you find yourself out and about, however what about if you find yourself simply searching the online and need to know the place one thing somebody is sporting is from or the place a video is being filmed?

In iOS 26 it will likely be attainable take a screenshot and lookup details about that picture and merchandise in it utilizing Visible Intelligence. You too can ask ChatGPT for details about the screenshot. 

Genmoji and Picture Playground in iOS 26

Apple

Additionally benefitting from Apple Intelligence is Genmoji, one other function that arrived with iOS 18. Genmoji permits you to create customized emoji utilizing AI. To create a Genmoji you kind an outline within the Describe an Emoji area and faucet on Create New Emoji. You should use images of individuals you realize as a foundation and refine the emoji till it represents what you’re searching for. The emoji will then be out there in your emoji keyboard to make use of.

In iOS 26 the Genmoji interface is getting a redesign. Customers will be capable to combine two emoji collectively, or alter an present emoji to create one thing new, and even mix an emoji and a Sticker (which will be created from a photograph). Customers will be capable to additional customise emoji inside Picture Playground, altering expressions.

Picture Playground, which is Apple’s app for making AI-generated pictures, arrived in iOS 18 and is getting an replace in iOS 26. In iOS 26 it will likely be attainable to make use of ChatGTP kinds, akin to an oil portray in addition to these offered by Apple to create pictures in Picture Playground.

iOS 26 new apps and up to date apps 

• New Cellphone app capabilities
• Translation
• Digital camera app overhaul

With every iteration of iOS the set of apps Apple supplies grows and evolves, and most of the adjustments coming to the apps on the iPhone are shared by those self same apps on Apple’s different gadgets. iOS 26 is not any completely different.

This time among the upcoming adjustments are going to be fairly transformative to how you utilize the telephone – and by which we imply the phone side to the iPhone.  

Cellphone app

The telephone app won’t be the one we use essentially the most, however as Apple says, it’s elementary to the iPhone. With iOS 26 the telephone app is getting a giant replace that basically turns it right into a PA. 

Apple is tapping into Apple Intelligence to carry new Voice Mail summaries to floor crucial info, however much more thrilling, it’s aiming to eradicate undesirable calls with a brand new Name Screening choice that may reply the decision within the background, ask the caller to elucidate their motive for calling, after which present a textual content abstract of these particulars to you earlier than you determine whether or not or to not take the decision. After all this will make it more durable to disregard calls from folks you ought to truly communicate to, however it will likely be a great way to siphon off spam and hoax calls from unknown numbers.

That’s not all. One other new function is Maintain Help, which is able to mechanically detect maintain music and mute the decision till it’s linked to an agent. Consequently you will get issues achieved with out having to maintain your telephone speaker enjoying irritating maintain music till somebody solutions. When an agent turns into free they are going to be knowledgeable that you’re there and your telephone will ring alerting you to the connection and you’ll take the decision. It’s going to be like having your personal receptionist. 

One other change within the Cellphone app ought to make it not possible to unintentionally faucet on contact within the Recents checklist and name them. Presently, in case you faucet on a reputation in your Recents checklist it should mechanically name that individual. A brand new setting will will let you flip off “Faucet Recents to Name”.

Stay Translations

Additionally coming to the Cellphone app, but additionally current as a options in Messages and FaceTime, is Stay Translations, which is able to aid you talk with somebody who speaks one other language.

With this function it is possible for you to to have a dialog with some who speaks a special language to you. If you’re conversant in the Hitchhiker’s Information to the Galaxy that is virtually on the stage of getting a Bable Fish.

If you’re talking to some by way of the telephone app the iPhone will translate what it being stated, with a spoken voice translating what has been stated into your language. The recipient can even hear translations in their very own language. Apparently they don’t must have an iPhone. The primary restriction proper now’s that Stay Translation for Cellphone is on the market just for one-on-one calls in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

As we stated above, it’s not solely the Cellphone app that can get the Stay Translation options. FaceTime and Messages will as properly. And Translation can be discovering its manner into the Music app.

FaceTime 

When talking to somebody by way of FaceTime you will notice real-time captions in your personal language. Stay Captions aren’t fully new to FaceTime, you may already activate that performance in Accessibility > Stay Captions – though this solely works in case your language is ready to English U.S.

In addition to the brand new Stay Translation function, FaceTime additionally will get adjustments to the interface designed to floor the controls you want whereas holding the caller seen. For instance, controls float to the underside proper and recede if you don’t want them. 

The FaceTime name checklist additionally will get a brand new look, with video messages autoplaying as you scroll. 

Messages

Apple

If you’re utilizing Messages to speak with somebody who speaks a special language what you kind is translated into their language and vice versa.

As with the telephone, Messages is getting a screening software to fight spam. On-device spam detection offers you “whole management over who seems in your dialog checklist,” in accordance with Apple.

It’s already attainable to filter out spam by utilizing the Unknown Senders checklist in Messages, however in iOS 26 Messages may have a higher skill to display screen for spam, and it’ll be sure to nonetheless obtain verification codes and different essential or time delicate messages.

Additionally in Messages it is possible for you to so as to add a background picture to Group Chats and a brand new choice to create a ballot will probably be out there. Messages will even recommend a ballot if a scenario requires one. Anybody can add choices to the ballot, as properly. 

Those that have entry to Apple Money (nonetheless U.S. solely) may entry this from group chats. 

Apple

Music

In Apple Music it is possible for you to to comply with the lyrics alongside the interpretation into your personal language. For some languages you’ll even see a pronunciation information.

Additionally coming to the Music app is a brand new auto-mix choice that makes use of AI to fade between songs and match beats like a DJ would.

There’s additionally a brand new animated Apple Music art work choice for the Lock Display screen. 

Interface adjustments must also imply it’s quicker and simpler to get to the music you’re in to. For instance, you may pin your favorite album or playlist to the highest of your library. 

Apple

Video games

Apple is lastly tidying up the gaming expertise on the iPhone with a model new Video games app. With half a billion folks enjoying video games on iPad, in accordance with Apple, it’s about time. 

Apple says it’s creating a brand new vacation spot to assist its players get extra out of their video games. The Video games app will provide varied tabs to make discovering the video games you’re enjoying or have performed simpler. The Dwelling tab reveals what’s most related to you. The Library tab exhibits all of the video games you’ve got ever downloaded. 

There’s additionally a Play Collectively tab the place you may see what your folks are enjoying, play video games with them, examine scores, and invite them to play video games. You too can problem them to beat your highest rating in single participant video games. Turning single participant video games into enjoyable competitions with associates, with scores in actual time. 

Apple

One other change coming to gaming on iPhone (and iPad) is a brand new consistency to hoe contact controls are utilized in video games. Builders engaged on an iPhone or iPad recreation that requires extra superior controls have at all times needed to design their very own contact controls, and this may be inconsistent. In iOS 26, Apple will supplies its personal contact controls for buttons, thumbsticks, dpads, throttles, and touchpads.

Apple Pockets

Like Apple Money most of the new Apple Pockets options are U.S. solely, akin to the flexibility so as to add Drivers Licenses to Apple Pockets. 

Apple says there will probably be extra methods to pay with Apple Pay in iOS 26, for instance you may redeem factors or select to pay in instalments. That function is at present out there in 9 states. From the autumn Apple says it will likely be attainable so as to add a U.S. passport, however just for use for flights contained in the U.S. 

There will probably be a brand new API for builders to reap the benefits of, enabling them to offer clients with extra info throughout the Pockets app, akin to particulars of the providers included with the fare and improve choices that may be accessed from throughout the Pockets app.

You too can monitor Apple Pay orders, with Apple Intelligence discovering the order particulars and monitoring info and holding them collectively for you. 

Passwords & Autofill

The Passwords app, launched in iOS 18, can be getting an replace. You possibly can test adjustments that you just’ve made to accounts logged within the Passwords app, view earlier passwords that had been used for these accounts and see after they had been altered.

As well as, iOS 26, Apple is introducing enhancements that can make utilizing passkeys simpler. Passkeys is an authentication technique that replaces conventional passwords with safety keys and biometrics. Many apps and web sites already present help for passkeys, and with the iOS 26 replace, it will likely be attainable for iPhone and iPad apps to allow customers to create a passkey with only a faucet. Passkeys will be authenticated with Face ID or Contact ID, and credentials will probably be synchronized between your Apple gadgets by way of iCloud.

It would even be attainable to pre-fill private knowledge, akin to identify and electronic mail, so that you now not must waste time filling in lengthy sign-up varieties. Even higher, iOS 26 will be capable to autofill verification codes from Gmail and WhatsApp. Verification code autofill may work in Google Chrome, at present verification codes solely work with Apple’s Safari browser.

Maps 

Apple

The Maps app additionally will get an replace, utilizing Apple Intelligence to grasp your common commutes and be taught your favourites. With this info it will likely be in a position to warn you in case you ought to take a special route on account of site visitors. 

One other change to Maps is that if you would like it to it might probably log Visited Locations, which is able to make it simpler to search out and recall locations you’ve got been to previously. It’s simple to delete this historical past too. 

Reminders

In iOS 26, Reminders will recommend issues akin to duties and grocery gadgets, plus follow-ups based mostly in your emails or different textual content in your iPhone, Mac, and extra.

Clock

You’ll lastly be capable to set a sleep period of between one and quarter-hour, fairly than being caught with set eight minute snoozes!

Additionally, you will acquire the flexibility to set alarms from inside different apps. For instance, you can set an alarm from inside a recipe app with out you needing to open the Clock.

Different new options in iOS 26

There are many different adjustments coming to iOS itself, lots of which is able to enhance the general expertise.

Working duties within the background

iOS 26 may have a brand new API for operating duties within the background. So that you gained’t must preserve an app open after they’re doing one thing necessary, akin to importing information or exporting a video. Customers can swap to different apps with out interrupting the earlier process.

AI-powered battery administration

A new adaptive low energy mode has been noticed within the iOS 26 developer beta. This doesn’t substitute the common low energy mode (that’s nonetheless round) however as a substitute makes use of machine studying to make changes that would assist eke out somewhat extra juice out of your battery.

As well as, the Lock Display screen will now show estimated charging occasions to hit 80 p.c and one hundred pc battery energy.