Apple's highly anticipated iOS 26 update is finally here, bringing a stunning visual overhaul and a host of new features to compatible iPhones (iPhone 11, iPhone SE 2, and later). The star of the show is undoubtedly the 'Liquid Glass' design, inspired by the Vision Pro interface, which gives the operating system a sleek, translucent look. While this innovative aesthetic might take some getting used to, Apple has addressed early concerns about readability through several beta updates, and further refinements are expected in the coming months.
Beyond the visual changes, iOS 26 boasts significant functional improvements. The Phone app receives a unified redesign, consolidating favorites, recents, and voicemails for easier access, while also offering a toggle to revert to the classic layout for those who prefer it. A new call-screening feature significantly reduces unwanted calls by pre-qualifying unknown numbers, a welcome addition for enhanced privacy. Hold assist intelligently notifies you when a call is resumed, improving overall call management.
The Messages app has stepped up its game to better compete with apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Users can now personalize conversations with backgrounds, enjoy improved text formatting and photo previews, and get real-time typing indicators for a more interactive experience. Enhanced spam filtering and a dedicated folder for messages from unknown senders add another layer of security.
Gamers will appreciate the revamped Games app, offering a central hub to manage and discover games, challenges, and achievements, while staying connected to friends' gaming activities. Apple finally adds the long-awaited Mac Preview app, enabling seamless PDF editing and annotation directly on the iPhone. Apple Music has also been enhanced with features like dynamic song automixing, lyrics translation, and playlist pinning.
Apple Maps gets a boost with customizable preferred routes and intelligent traffic alerts, ensuring smoother commutes. The new places library makes it easier than ever to revisit previously visited locations. Even the Camera app receives the Liquid Glass treatment, providing a cleaner, more intuitive interface while retaining essential features.
While the update is relatively light on AI features compared to previous years, Apple integrates AI-powered translation across several apps like Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, expanding accessibility for several languages (English [UK/US], French, German, Portuguese [Brazil], and Spanish). This translation support extends to AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4.
iOS 26 also introduces a new visual intelligence feature accessible via a dedicated button combination (Power + Volume Down). This capability allows users to add events to their calendar, use visual search or ChatGPT to ask questions about on-screen content, or employ Apple’s own "Highlight" search functionality. However, sharing the button combination with the screenshot function proves to be a source of some initial user confusion. Other updates include enhanced Genmoji and Image Playground capabilities, allowing for the merging of emojis and improved attribute editing.
To update your compatible iPhone, simply navigate to Settings > General > Software Update and download the latest version. Enjoy the numerous enhancements and polished user experience iOS 26 offers.
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Originally published at: https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/15/apples-ios-26-with-the-new-liquid-glass-design-is-now-available-to-everyone/
