Apple has rolled out iOS 26, describing it as the biggest iPhone software update in years. The release is available now for iPhone 11 and later, and comes pre-installed on the new iPhone 17 line-up.
The update introduces a full redesign with a new material Apple calls Liquid Glass. Elements across the system are now partially see-through, reacting to light, content and movement for a more dynamic feel. The design extends to the Lock Screen and Home Screen, where the clock and wallpapers adapt to images in real time.
Core apps including Camera, Photos, Safari, Music, News and Podcasts have all been refreshed. The tab bar now floats above content and shrinks away while scrolling, putting focus on what’s on screen.
Image: Apple
Apple Intelligence is built into more of the system. Live Translation now works across Messages, FaceTime and Phone, handling text and audio conversations on device for privacy.
Visual intelligence can recognise what’s on screen and suggest actions — such as adding events to the calendar — and connect to services like Google or Etsy to search for similar images or products.
New creative tools include Genmoji, for generating custom emoji, and Image Playground for instant illustrations. Siri also becomes more conversational with improved on-device processing.
The Phone app gains a unified layout for favourites, recents and voicemail. Call Screening gathers information from unknown numbers before the user decides whether to answer, while Hold Assist alerts users when a call centre agent is finally available.
Messages adds screening for unknown senders, plus new tools including custom backgrounds, polls, group Apple Cash and improved typing indicators.
Image: Apple
CarPlay gets a fresh compact call view, support for pinned conversations in Messages, widgets and Live Activities.
Apple Music adds AutoMix for seamless transitions, along with translated and phonetic lyrics. Apple Maps now logs Visited Places, while Wallet introduces refreshed boarding passes that update in real time. A new Apple Games app gathers titles and updates in one place, and Safari browsing is more private by default.
iOS 26 is available now as a free update for iPhone 11 and newer models, and will ship pre-installed on the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
