Apple is preparing to introduce an update that could fix a long-standing problem iPhone users have encountered when downloading photos through third-party apps. The upcoming iOS 26.1 update should allow users to download images in the background without keeping the app open, a change that could simplify the way media is shared between platforms.
Background downloads coming to iPhones
Currently, iPhone users can only rely on Apple’s Photos app for uninterrupted cloud uploads when the app is not in use. Third-party apps often pause downloads once users switch to another task or lock their device. This limitation has caused inconvenience, especially for those who use cloud storage or social media apps to save or share photos. Users currently have to leave apps running and monitor download progress, limiting the phone’s usability during the process.
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According to a report from 9to5Mac, Apple plans to fix this problem by adding a new background asset download extension to its PhotoKit framework. This feature will allow photo and cloud apps to manage downloads in the background even when users switch to other apps. Apple’s documentation explains that the system will automatically manage downloads on behalf of the app, continuing the process even when the phone is locked or used for other activities.
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The new framework is still in beta and is expected to launch officially with the iOS 26.1 update. Developers will need to adapt their applications to support this feature, meaning consistent performance across all applications may take some time after deployment. Once fully adopted, the update could make downloading and saving photos on iPhones more efficient and less dependent on Apple’s built-in apps.
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Swift SDK extends Apple’s reach to Android
In a separate development, Apple has taken another step towards expanding its developer ecosystem. The company has released the first preview of the Swift SDK for Android, allowing developers to create Android apps using Apple’s Swift programming language. This marks the start of official Android support within the Swift project, following the formation of a dedicated Android working group earlier this year.
The Swift SDK uses the Swift-Java tool to generate bindings between Java and Swift, which will allow developers to use Swift code with existing Android APIs and Java components. The Swift Package Index now identifies packages that support Android, and more than a quarter of them are already successfully built on the platform. With this integration, developers can now share more code across iOS and Android, reducing the need for separate development processes.
