Get ready for a significant upgrade! iOS 26, following three months of rigorous beta testing, officially launches this Monday, September 15th. Compatible with iPhone 11 and later models, this update is available via Settings > General > Software Update. Prepare to be amazed by eight standout features, with even more enhancements detailed in Apple's comprehensive release notes.
First, prepare to be visually captivated by the all-new Liquid Glass design. This stunning interface boasts translucent menus, buttons, and icons, creating a vibrant and dynamic user experience. Apple describes it as a "translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings," bringing unprecedented depth and vitality to your interactions with the iPhone.
The Lock Screen gets a boost too. The clock intelligently adapts to fill available space, and supported Apple Music songs now display full-screen animated album art, offering a captivating visual feast. The Messages app also sees considerable enhancements, including several improvements we'll cover in detail below.
The Phone app receives practical enhancements with Call Screening and Hold Assist. Call Screening, an opt-in feature, prompts unknown callers for their name and reason for calling, enhancing security and efficiency. Hold Assist intelligently waits on hold for you during calls, notifying you when the agent is ready, a feature that is bound to become invaluable for many.
Battery life receives a major upgrade with the introduction of Adaptive Power Mode, complementing the existing Low Power Mode. Available on iPhone 15 Pro and later models, Adaptive Power Mode intelligently manages performance to extend battery life. This includes subtly reducing display brightness, slightly slowing down certain activities, and automatically activating Low Power Mode when the battery reaches 20%. Access it in Settings > Battery > Power Mode.
Music lovers will rejoice with the new AutoMix feature in Apple Music. Replacing Crossfade, AutoMix seamlessly transitions between songs with a DJ-like fluidity, ensuring a smooth and captivating listening experience.
Productivity receives a significant upgrade with a new, iPhone-native version of Apple's Preview app. Directly edit and markup PDFs and images on your phone—no additional apps required.
CarPlay integration is also significantly enhanced. The Liquid Glass design extends to the CarPlay interface, mirroring the iPhone's visual refresh. Furthermore, you can now respond to messages with Tapbacks directly through CarPlay. Pinned Messages conversations are readily accessible, ensuring that important communication is always within reach.
Incoming calls now use a compact view, ensuring clear visibility of other screen elements such as turn-by-turn navigation. Live Activities are now displayed on the CarPlay Dashboard, offering at-a-glance updates on things like flight arrival times. A new widgets screen provides quick access to calendar appointments and HomeKit controls.
Finally, iOS 26 enables wireless video streaming via AirPlay to the CarPlay screen. However, for safety reasons, playback is restricted to parked vehicles to prevent distracted driving. Your iPhone will detect vehicle motion and automatically cease playback. Support for this feature is dependent on automakers' integration, so availability may vary initially.
---
Originally published at: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/14/ios-26-available-tomorrow/
