Apple introduces iOS 26 with new design and Apple Intelligence features

Apple has announced iOS 26, a major update to the iPhone operating system featuring the Liquid Glass interface, Apple Intelligence features, new features in the Phone, Messages, CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, Wallet apps, and a new Apple Games app. The final release is expected in fall 2025.

The redesign includes a new Liquid Glass visual style with a transparency effect and updated widgets. The camera and Safari browser have simplified controls, and the lock screen dynamically adjusts to the image.

Apple Intelligence is integrated into the system and works completely offline. AI provides real-time translation in Phone, Messages and FaceTime, as well as visual analysis of screen content, image creation from description, emoji generation (Genmoji), and new automation capabilities through Shortcuts.

Phone now features Call Screening, which lets you get information about a call before you answer it, and Hold Assist notifies you when an operator is on the line. Messages now lets you create polls, change chat backgrounds, and manage messages from unknown contacts.

CarPlay also received an updated interface, support for Tapbacks, pinned chats, widgets and Live Activities. Apple Music has added translation and pronunciation of lyrics, and AutoMix automatically adjusts tracks to each other.

Apple Maps will store where you've been, while Wallet shows real-time updates for boarding passes and lets you pay for purchases in installments. The new Apple Games app brings together all of a user's games in one place and shows events from Apple Arcade.

The iOS 26 update will be available in the fall of 2025, as usual - after the release of new iPhones.