Apple’s iOS 26 software update is available today for all users using iPhone 11, iPhone SE 2 and later. iOS 26’s subtitle function is Apple’s liquid glass designwhich includes elements on the screen that resemble the “glass” appearance. Other features include call filter assistant, new game and preview apps, in-system application translation, and updates to Genmoji and Image Playground apps.
Operating system updates have also experienced a large numerical change due to two key reasons, as Apple went from iOS 18 to iOS 26. First, it wants sync to bring all operating systems (iOS, iPados, MacOS, WatchOS, TVOS and Visionos) into sync. It also hopes to reflect the annual figures most people use this update.
Liquid glass
Liquid glass design has been the most important visual overhaul of iOS for many years. Apple’s redesign was intended to draw inspiration from the Vision Pro interface and apply it to all its operating systems. The elements look like they are made of translucent glass. This leads to challenges in readability and the appearance of elements in the background.
Apple has changed since June “Glass” Interface appearance Passed through the beta version many times. While the company released a stable iOS 26 release today, we may want to make visual tweaks in the coming months to improve readability and usability. This visual change may take some time to adjust the user, and they may not like certain elements.
Apple Apps
Mobile apps have a new unified look, and your favorites are on the same screen in the form of bringback and voicemails in card format. You can click the filter button in the upper right corner or view these sections separately. (If you don’t like the new interface, Apple also has the option to switch to the classic look.)
iOS 26 also brings call screening to iPhone, a personal favorite. When an unknown number calls you, the system requires its name and purpose of the call. Once this information is provided, the system will call the ringtone and notify you of the call. You can view the conversation and insert it at any time. Transcription of voicemails is not good for all languages, but call filtering reduces the number of calls I have to answer.
When you put aside the restaurant or hotline service, there is also a hold help; you can use the call assist device to notify the agent to start talking again.
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Message apps have other chat apps with backgrounds, new conversation streams, polls, text selection, photo previews, and other typing indicators in groups. Apple has been researching How many years does SMS filter. The company said it has updated spam filtering with this version. Also, it places messages from unknown senders in a new folder. One thing I don’t like about this update is that it took me a few taps to go to the “Transactions” tab.
The game app overhaul means you can view in one place you are playing (or playing), arcade games, challenges and achievements, and suggestions on new titles. The app also shows you what your friends are playing.
Apple finally moved the Preview app for Mac to iOS 26, which means you can edit, comment, and sign PDFs more easily. Apple Music now has automatic rotation of dynamic song switching, as well as lyrics translation and pronunciation. More importantly, you can pin your favorite songs and playlists.
With iOS 26, Apple Maps lets you define your preferred route when commuting. If the route you selected has more traffic or any event, the map will send you notifications along with suggesting alternative routes. The app also makes it easy for you to see the places you are accessing through the new place library.
The camera app in iOS 26 features a liquid glass design, with only video and photo options visible by default. You can scroll left or right to switch between different modes. Apple places some controls (such as Flash and Night Mode) in the upper right corner, and you can turn them on/off with one click. For more options, such as filters, styles, exposure controls, and timers, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
If you don’t like previous photo app designs, Tags are back This version.
AI features
Unlike last year’s grand launch of Apple Intelligence, this year’s operating system is a highlight of AI capabilities, especially in terms of delays in launching and rolling out features. The company is using applications like Message, FaceTime, and Telephone to easily perform AI-powered translation. Currently, this feature supports English (UK), France (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spain (Spain).
With iOS 26, the company also launched live translation on Airpods, including The newly launched AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4.
iOS 26 updates visual intelligence to learn about what’s on the screen. You must press the Power+Volume down button to bring up this menu. Apple Intelligence can then suggest adding events to your calendar. You can also use Google Visual Search or ChatGPT to ask questions about what is on the screen. Apple also released its own “search circle”, called the highlight.
The most confusing part about this update is that the buttons used to show the visual intelligence on the screen are the same as the screenshot button. So saving the screenshot takes extra steps and I forgot to save some important screenshots.
Apple is updating Genmoji with iOS 26 so you can merge the two emojis and make new stuff with text prompts. Now you can add expressions in Genmoji and Image Playground. Now the Update to Image playground allows you to modify properties such as hair and facial hair, as well as the new style of chatgpt.
Other features
- Now you can set different snooze times to 1 minute to 15 minutes of alerts.
- Wallet app update allows you to create a digital ID via your passport to provide TSA at the airport. Additionally, the app has an improved boarding screen that contains more information about airports and flights.
- Voice recording on iOS 26 will let you choose the input source. It also provides voice isolation and the ability to capture local videos and videos only around you. This is handy for creators who record podcasts using video calls.
- Apple reminds people to be smart by automatically generating grocery items from recipes on web pages. It can also be noted based on email, website, or attention to the reminder you are viewing.
- The App Store now has accessibility nutrition tags to indicate the presence of features including voiceover, voice control, larger text, sufficient contrast, and reduced movement and subtitles
- Apple has updated its parental controls to limit communications for new unauthorized phone numbers, enable age-appropriate experiences in third-party apps, and the App Store.
We have a lot Small but useful iOS features. You can update iOS 26 by going to Settings > General > Software Updates And download the latest version.
