iOS 26: Apple’s Newest Update. All You Need to Know!

What's New in iOS 26?

Curious about what’s new in iOS 26? Discover smarter features like Live Translation, Visual Intelligence, and enhanced Apple Music.

Liquid Glass

Liquid Glass in iOS 26 introduces a sleek, translucent interface that enhances visual depth, fluidity, and overall user experience.

Lock Screen

iOS 26 lock screen uses dynamic, glassy elements that adapt time, dock, and widgets fluidly around background images and notifications.

Visual Intelligence

iOS 26 Visual Intelligence lets you search, ask, and act on screen content, auto-filling events and integrating third-party platforms.

Live Translation

iOS 26 introduces Live Translation, enabling real-time voice and text translation in Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls for seamless communication.

Caller Filter

iOS 26 enhances call filtering with Live Voicemail, showing caller info in real time to reduce spam and unwanted calls.

Polls in Messages

iOS 26 lets you easily create polls in group chats, allowing everyone to add options and vote in real time.

Genmoji

Genmoji and Image Playground in iOS 26 let you create custom images by combining emojis, styles, and descriptions with Apple Intelligence.

Apple Music

iOS 26 brings three new Apple Music features, enhancing lyrics translation, pronunciation, and playback for a deeper, more immersive experience.

Learn More

How to Update to iOS 26?

Do you want to upgrade to iOS 26? Here are 3 steps for you. Make sure to back up your data before upgrading for a safe experience

Step 1.

Check iOS 26 Compatibility

iPhone

iPhone 16 / 16 Plus / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15 / 15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13 / 13 Mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12 / 12 Mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd/3rd generation)

iPad

iPad Pro (M4)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
iPad Air (M2/M3)
iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
iPad (A16)
iPad (8th generation and later)
iPad mini（A17 Pro）
iPad mini (5th generation and later)

Step 2.

Backup Your iPhone

Use MoniMaster Pro for iOS to Backup Data

Create a MoniMaster Account.
Download & Install MoniMaster Pro for iOS.
Connect the iPhone to the computer via USB.
Scan the device data after connection is successful.
Preview and export any files you want to back up.

Other ways: Use iCloud & iTunes to backup data.

Step 3.

Download and Install

Open Settings > General > Software Update

iOS 26 should appear as the latest official update

Tap Download and Install, then follow the on‑screen prompts

Video Guide: How to Update to iOS 26

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Explore More iOS 26 Tutorials

Protect your privacy and gain full control over iOS activities. Choose the solution that suits your needs.

Features & Highlights
Apple Intelligence
iOS 26 Guides
Troubleshooting

iPhone iOS 26 New Features Test: Did You Notice These 4 Small Details?

New Genmoji & Image Playground Features in iOS 26

How to Downgrade iOS 26 Beta to iOS 18 on iPhone (No Jailbreak)

iOS 26 Beta Bugs and Issues Revealed

Frequently Asked Questions about iOS 26

Q1: Why did Apple skip to iOS 26?

Apple now aligns OS version numbers with release years. iOS 26 refers to the operating system released between September 2025 and September 2026. This change brings consistency across platforms like macOS, watchOS, and iPadOS, making it easier to identify software versions by their release year.
Q2: How long does the iOS 26 update take?
Updating to iOS 26 typically takes 30–60 minutes OTA:
- Download (~10–20 min)
- Prepare & verify (~10 min)
- Install (~10–20 min)
- Final setup (~5 15 min)
Factors like Wi‑Fi, storage, device age, and Apple server load can affect timing.
Q3: How to get iOS 26 early?
- Developer Beta: Enroll in Apple’s Developer Program (free tier works), then go to Settings → General → Software Update → Beta Updates, select iOS 26 Developer Beta, and install.
- Public Beta: Sign up at beta.apple.com. It should arrive around July 23, 2025
Q4: Does iOS 26 beta drain battery?

Yes, iOS 26 beta may drain battery faster than stable versions due to unfinished optimizations, background tasks, and bugs. This is common in early betas but usually improves with subsequent updates before the final release. Expect some battery drain during beta testing.
Q5: Which iPhones will not support iOS 26?

iOS 26 supports iPhones with an A13 Bionic chip or newer, which includes models from the iPhone 11 series onward. Devices such as the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max are not compatible with iOS 26
Q6: Can I revert back to iOS 18 after updating?

Yes, you can revert to iOS 18 after updating, but only if Apple is still signing iOS 18. This signing window usually lasts a few days to weeks after a new release. After that, downgrading becomes impossible without jailbreak methods. Always back up before updating.
Q7: How can I use the new Dynamic Island features in iOS 26?

iOS 26’s Dynamic Island supports multiple Live Activities simultaneously. Tap to expand details, press and hold for quick controls, and swipe to switch activities. It now integrates with third-party apps, enhancing multitasking and interaction. Use it to monitor tasks like music, timers, and navigation all in one place seamlessly.
Q8: What privacy improvements does iOS 26 include?
iOS 26 introduces several privacy enhancements:
- On-Device AI: Apple Intelligence processes data locally, ensuring privacy during tasks like real-time translation and call screening.
- Safari Privacy: Blocks fingerprinting scripts and prevents long-lived cookies, reducing tracking.
- FaceTime Nudity Detection: Detects nudity during calls and pauses video, displaying a warning; all processing is on-device.
- App Activity Dashboard: Monitors app access to sensitive data, allowing users to revoke permissions.
- Enhanced Parental Controls: Requires parental approval for new contacts and includes age-appropriate content filters.
Q9: What's special about iOS 26?

iOS 26 introduces year-based versioning, aligning updates with release years. It enhances Dynamic Island with multitasking and third-party app support, boosts privacy via on-device AI and Safari tracking protections, and offers improved parental controls. Overall, it delivers a more intuitive, secure, and connected iPhone experience.
Q10: How do I report an iOS issue?

To report an iOS issue, open the Feedback Assistant app on your device or visit feedback.apple.com. Sign in with your Apple ID, describe the problem clearly, and submit logs or screenshots if possible. This helps Apple identify and fix bugs faster.