It is finally here. Earlier this week, Apple has completely unveiled iOS 26, the next iPhone software update that will arrive this fall. Here are six new features to come with iOS 26.
# 1: new design with liquid glass
This is the feature you’ve probably heard about, but it’s a big one.
IOS 26 has a new major design that has an impact on each part of the use of your iPhone.
A key element of the new look is a material Apple calls “liquid glass”::
This translucent material reflects and refracts its environment, while dynamically transforming to help put more emphasis on content, offering a new level of vitality between controls, navigation, application icons, widgets, etc.
Liquid glass will make your iPhone fresh and new, while maintaining the familiarity of the current iOS experience.
# 2: Group cat upgrades in messages
IOS 26 gives the application of Apple messages several new features, with a particular accent on group cat upgrades.
You can now create surveys in your group cats, divide the invoices with Apple Cash, and for the first time, the striking indicators are also supported in groups.
The groups have long allowed you to define a personalized name and image for the cat, but you can now also define a personalized background image. It will work not only in groups, but also individual conversations.
# 3: pinned music for your Apple Music library
Apple Music puts more than 100 million songs in your pocket. But the musical application has not always offered the best tools to keep your music the most important in the foreground.
iOS 26 adds a new tool to the range: Music pinned.
You can now pin your favorite albums, artists or reading lists at the top of your library for easy access.
It works very well for essential music, of course. But it is also practical when someone makes a recommendation, and you want to keep the top of the mind.
# 4: Application Photos Revel in the navigation tab bar
Last year in iOS 18, Apple completely revised the photo application and upset many users in the process.
With iOS 26, one of the most discordant changes compared to last year is largely reversed.
Photos is reintegrating a navigation tab bar at the bottom of the screen.
It is not quite the same as before, but you will now find separate pimples for the library, collections and research. Overall, this should ensure that the photo application looks much more like its pre-IOS 18 version.
# 5: Maintain assistance for telephone application
No one likes to wait until a customer support line. And in iOS 26, Apple has built a new tool to make this experience as painless as possible.
When you are placed on a socket, Hold Assist allows your iPhone to expect. While Hold Music plays, you won’t have to be careful, but you can do your day.
For what? Because iOS 26 will inform you at the end of the catch and someone is back on the line to speak.
# 6: any new “Apple Games” application
A new “Apple Games” application is preinstalled with iOS 26, adding another media -focused application to the Apple TV range, Apple podcasts, etc.
Games will offer a quick way to:
- Jump in any game you played
- Browse your full library
- Discover new games
- See the activity of your friends
- Complete challenges
- And more
Apple hopes that its new game application can be the one -looking center for your iPhone game needs.
New iOS 26 features and release date: wrap
There is much more to come with iOS 26. The features described above are only a small sample of all that is new – like clear application icons, new cards and notes features, upgrades of the locking screen and boarding, and much more.
IOS 26 is currently available in an early beta preview, but it will be launched to all users this fall – in mid -September.
What new iOS 26 features are you the most excited? Let us know in the comments.
