iOS 26 release date, features and all you need to know

Apple has just unveiled its latest version of iOS at its annual WWDC event, but it’s not iOS 19. 

Instead, Apple is set to release iOS 26 – to reflect the year that the software will be available – later this year, and it offers the biggest change to iOS since the iOS 7 redesign.

Here’s everything you need to know about iOS 26, from key new features and changes to release date plans and how you can get access early via Apple’s beta program. 

iOS 26: All you need to know

• iOS 26 set to be released later this year
• Beta available in the coming weeks
• Completely new Liquid Glass UI
• Updates to first-party apps like Messages
• New Games app acts like a gaming hub
• Upgraded Apple Intelligence features

When will iOS 26 be released?

While Apple didn’t announce a specific release for iOS 26 at WWDC, it did provide a broad ‘Fall’ release window.

It’s expected to make an appearance alongside the iPhone 17 collection later this year – almost certainly in September, as has been the case for most iOS releases in years gone by. 

Is there an iOS 26 beta?

Apple might not have announced a hard release date for iOS 26, but you don’t need to wait that long to try out the software for yourself. As with previous releases, Apple will release an iOS 26 beta for developers immediately following the reveal of the software – though this will likely be buggy at first.

What comes later down the road is likely to be of more interest. Following the release of the iOS 26 developer beta, Apple is set to make the beta software available to dedicated iPhone users around the world via its Public Beta Program. 

Although timings are yet to be confirmed, it’ll be released sometime in July once Apple has ironed out some of the initial kinks and bugs, and it’ll run throughout the summer until the public release of iOS 26 later this year. 

iOS 26 design and features

iOS 26 is set to bring not only a bevvy of new features but an entirely new look to iPhones when it’s released later this year.

New Liquid Glass design language

Apple kicked off WWDC with a doozy, introducing the first major change to the iPhone UI since the release of iOS 7, which ditched skeuomorphism for bolder, blocky colours.

This time around, those bold blocks have been replaced by a new glass-like effect that’s prevalent not just throughout iOS, but iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and every other piece of software Apple is set to release later this year.

It’s not just simply swapping out the look of materials though; the new Liquid Glass design offers a more dynamic look and feel. Not only will the light refraction change as you rotate your phone, but it can dynamically change the size of toolbars and other icons depending on what you’re up to.

This allows, for example, Safari to offer a new full-screen viewing experience with a new glassy toolbar that shape-shifts and disappears as you scroll, while the magnifier tool ripples and shape-shifts as you move it around the screen.

It’s all more fluid and dynamic, and it’s present in some form in every element of iOS 26, even if it’s not the complete overhaul that some were expecting.

Updated Lock Screen

The lock screen has undergone a major overhaul in recent years, but it’s set to get even better in iOS 26.

First up, the time, notifications and controls are all made of liquid glass, while swiping up to go to the home screen will present you with a new animation.

More prevalent, however, is the ability for the clock to adjust its shape and position depending on your wallpaper, allowing it to dynamically fit different images in wallpaper carousels.

It’s also set to feature an updated Now Playing bar, with support for full-screen animated album artwork when playing music.

Updated first-party apps

Apps like Messages, FaceTime, Safari, Phone, Maps and more have also seen a massive upgrade to coincide with the release of iOS 26.

Messages is set to introduce wallpapers and the ability to create polls using Apple Intelligence in group chats, while the New Sender feature will hold incoming messages from unknown numbers until your approval.

The Camera app is also set to get much simpler in iOS 26; rather than having all camera modes and settings on-screen, it’s now focused on Photo or Video, with more modes available when swiping left and right. Similarly, swiping up will now provide access to camera settings and controls for easier on-the-fly adjustments.

The Photos app has, in a way, taken a step backwards. Apple has heard the backlash about the redesigned Photos app in iOS 18 and has brought back some highly demanded features.

Chief among which is split tabs for Photos and Collections, with the latter offering a quick way to access your folders, favourite images and more, separate from the main library view.

FaceTime is set to get a new landing page that’ll display contact posters and previous video messages, while the new Phone app will offer a new unified layout, listing all incoming and outgoing calls, along with voicemails, on a single page.

Preferred routes in Apple Maps

The Apple Maps app is the go-to for most iPhone users wanting to get directions, be it walking, driving or cycling, but its routes aren’t that smart or customisable.

That’ll change once iOS 26 launches later this year. Per Apple, Maps will now be able to learn your preferred routes and provide them as options alongside its standard options, while updated notification support will let you know if there’s traffic on your usual commute ahead of time.

New Games app

The new Games app looks to be a hub for all your games, not only providing one handy place that’ll list recently played games and all installed games on your phone, but also elements like new game updates and in-game events.

The Play Together tab lets you see what your friends are playing and, with new Challenges, compete with them – even in single-player titles. It also plays well with controllers, allowing you to browse the app and initiate games without having to tap the screen itself.

Improved AI features

Apple Intelligence was a major feature of iOS 18, so it makes sense that Apple wants to continue that trend with iOS 26. While it teased that we’d hear more about new AI features over the next year, the company outlined several updates to existing AI features coming this year.

That includes Genmoji, which will soon be able to create emojis based on photos of your friends. You’ll also be able to combine two existing emojis to craft something entirely new.

There are also improved live translation capabilities, allowing you to translate texts in the Messages app or during calls via FaceTime or the Photos app.

However, the biggest upgrade is set to come to Visual Intelligence. In addition to using your camera to find out more about the world around you, you’ll be able to search for anything on your iPhone screen, allowing you to look up a cool jacket you saw on Instagram or save details about an event as a calendar invite.

It’s a very handy feature, but if it sounds familiar, it should; it’s very similar to Google’s popular Circle to Search functionality. Where Apple’s alternative differs is in its results; you can search for results within specific apps, such as Google or Pinterest.

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