This fall, Apple is shaking things up by releasing iOS 26 for iPhones, skipping several version numbers to align its software with the upcoming year. The most talked-about change from the company’s recent developer conference is a major design overhaul called “Liquid Glass.”
This new look gives the home and lock screens a fresh, translucent feel, making apps and widgets appear see-through. While the design has sparked some debate, with some comparing it to older versions of Windows, it aims to create a more unified look across all of Apple’s devices, including Macs and iPads. Apple has already started tweaking the design based on early feedback.
Beyond the new look, iOS 26 focuses on practical, everyday improvements. In the Messages app, you’ll soon be able to filter annoying spam texts into a separate folder and create polls in group chats to make decisions easily. The Phone app is also getting smarter. A new “Hold Assist” feature will notify you when a customer service agent finally picks up, so you don’t have to listen to hold music.
While a major update for Siri has been delayed, other handy tools are on the way. A feature called “Visual Intelligence” will enable you to search the web for items you see in a photo. Fans of the Photos app will be pleased to see that separate tabs for Library and Collections are returning.
The iOS 26 update will be available for the iPhone 11 and all newer models. A public beta will be available for anyone to try in July, with the final version expected to launch for everyone in September.
