All all through this week, Macworld has been overlaying discoveries associated to Apple’s future plans present in a leaked inside construct of iOS 26. After reporting on new gadgets resembling AirTag 2, HomePad, and a brand new era of Studio Show, we additionally noticed particulars about future software program resembling iOS 26.4 and even iOS 27.
The construct in query is used internally by engineers to check new, unreleased software program options. Though it’s an iOS 26.0 construct, it additionally contains a number of “flags” that reference options Apple has been planning to launch far sooner or later. A “characteristic flag” is how Apple identifies options in its iOS code. Engineers can allow and disable flags to show particular options on and off whereas they’re being developed. In addition they comprise notes about when a selected characteristic is predicted to be prepared for a public model of iOS.
Learn on as we element what customers can count on from future iOS updates based mostly on what we’ve found.
Refreshed Well being app
The interior construct of iOS 26 seen by Macworld comprises a number of characteristic flags associated to main updates coming to the Well being app. This contains references to a brand new structure for classes and simplified metric logging.
Apple is rumored to be introducing a brand new “Well being+” subscription subsequent yr. A latest Bloomberg report revealed that, as a part of the Well being app subscription, customers could have entry to a brand new AI assistant to reply questions based mostly on well being information saved within the app.
The redesign of the Well being app will probably pave the best way for this new paid platform.
Bank card autofill for third-party apps
Apple is testing a system that detects when a card is added inside a third-party app after which provides to reserve it to iCloud Keychain. The characteristic would work in just about the identical manner as Autofill in Safari.
After all, apps may also be capable to present simpler entry to bank cards saved in iCloud with Autofill. The characteristic can also be set to be launched with iOS 26.4 subsequent yr, based mostly on code references.
Apple is slowly constructing its Freeform app into an actual productiveness instrument.
Apple
Folders in Freeform
A protracted-overdue group characteristic: the code reveals a full folder system coming to Freeform boards, probably syncing by way of iCloud. Apple has been increasing Freeform quietly, and it is a signal they’re making ready it to behave extra like a real productiveness app.
Customers can count on folders in Freeform with iOS 26.4.
Sports activities ‘tier’ for Apple TV
Particulars are unclear, however there’s a brand new “Sports activities Tier” characteristic flag for the Apple TV app. With Apple investing increasingly more in sports activities content material for its streaming platform, it will not be shocking if the corporate ended up saying a costlier subscription tier for sports activities followers.
The characteristic can also be being focused for spring 2026, probably with iOS 26.4.
Apple has additionally been exploring including additional layers of safety to its gadgets with iOS 26.4. One of many characteristic flags seen within the leaked code hints at a brand new validation system that may verify the integrity of the machine earlier than logging into Apple ID and iCloud.
This may probably stop customers from logging into Apple’s on-line providers if the machine has undergone any unauthorized modifications, resembling jailbreaking.
New Siri with Apple Intelligence
As beforehand reported by Macworld, the brand new Siri with Apple Intelligence is on observe to launch with iOS 26.4 in spring 2026. Customers will be capable to have extra pure conversations with the assistant, which is predicted to be built-in with a big language mannequin based mostly on Google Gemini.
AirPods could also be getting a brand new Discover My characteristic subsequent yr.
Andreas Bergsman
AirPods options
The leaked code suggests new options coming to AirPods. This features a functionality known as “Exact Outside Location” to pinpoint the earbuds’ location within the Discover My app.
On condition that the AirPods Professional 3 launched this yr characteristic an upgraded ultra-wideband chip (U2), it’s affordable to imagine this characteristic shall be unique to the latest mannequin.
Clues about what’s coming in iOS 27 and iOS 28
Along with options deliberate for iOS 26.4, the leaked construct additionally contains references to a couple options being developed for iOS 27 and even iOS 28.
There are new characteristic flags tied to improved collections within the Photographs app with iOS 27. The replace may also introduce a brand new pairing system for AirPods. It’s unclear how this technique will work, on condition that the present methodology is already fairly easy, however presumably it includes under-the-hood enhancements to make pairing even sooner and extra dependable.
For iOS 28, the corporate plans so as to add new metrics to sleep monitoring with Apple Watch, together with time in mattress. There’s additionally a flag that signifies the Well being app is coming to the Mac with macOS 28.
The massive image
Whereas none of those options are assured to ship, Apple’s inside code typically reveals the corporate’s priorities lengthy earlier than public releases.
iOS 26.4 is shaping as much as be a surprisingly bold mid-cycle replace, and Apple is clearly laying groundwork for a lot larger adjustments in iOS 27 and iOS 28. As growth continues, we count on much more clues to floor, and we’ll maintain digging.
