Apple has launched iOS 26, which has a new Liquid Glass design and improved AI capabilities. The new design language, Liquid Glass, incorporates glass-like iconography among other features. The software upgrade for iPhone 11 and later devices will bring Live Translation to the Phone, FaceTime, and Messages apps, and it will be accessible to registered developers beginning today. The most recent version of iOS will also bring Apple Intelligence capabilities, an enhanced Camera app layout, a unified interface in the Phone app, CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, Wallet, and other enhancements.
In This Article
Liquid Glass Design
The Liquid Glass design improves app and system experiences by focussing on content and injecting fresh vibrancy into controls, navigation, app icons, and widgets. This transparent texture extends to the Home Screen and Lock Screen, making them more personalised and expressive. Furthermore, Liquid Glass provides additional customisation possibilities for app icons and widgets, including a gorgeous clean appearance.
Apple updated its Lock Screen to adapt to image space and add 3D effects to wallpapers when users move their iPhone. The Photos app now has distinct tabs for Library and Collections views, while Safari now lets web pages flow from top to bottom of the screen. The tab bar in Apple Music, News, and Podcasts has been revamped to float above users’ content, decrease dynamically when browsing, and grow when scrolling up again.
Also Read: WWDC 2025: Apple unveils macOS Tahoe 26
Unified Layout
iOS 26 introduces a unified interface for the iPhone’s Phone app, consolidating Favourites, Recents, and Voicemail. Call Screening gathers caller information to assist users in deciding whether to answer or ignore a call. Hold Assist alerts users when a live agent is available, delivering a smooth iPhone experience with fewer interruptions.
iOS 26 adds additional functionality to Messages, allowing users to screen messages from unknown senders, label them as known, request further information, or delete them. These messages stay silent until they are approved. Messages now has unique backgrounds and the ability to generate polls using Apple Intelligence. Image Playground allows users to create unique backdrops. Users may now see typing indicators in group conversations while also requesting, sending, and receiving Apple Cash.
Apple Intelligence Capabilities
With iOS 26, Apple Intelligence improves the iPhone experience by improving communication and screen utilisation. Live Translation is incorporated into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, allowing users to connect in several languages. This functionality is enabled by Apple-built models that operate solely on the device, guaranteeing that personal chats stay private.
Apple’s visual intelligence extends to iPhone displays, allowing users to search and act on content from several apps. Users may ask ChatGPT questions about what they are watching, search for comparable photos and things on Google, Etsy, or other compatible applications, and recognise when an event is being seen, recommending that it be added to their calendar with important details.
Apple has released Genmoji and Image Playground, which enable users to express themselves by mixing emojis, Genmoji, and descriptions. Furthermore, Apple Intelligence has enabled intelligent actions, which include specific actions for features such as Writing Tools and Image Playground, making shortcuts more powerful and smarter.
Apple Intelligence now sends order tracking information and progress messages to users via email from merchants and delivery companies, even for transactions made without Apple Pay. The Foundation Models framework enables apps to access the on-device foundation model, offering developers with rapid, privacy-focused information that can be utilised offline. This AI inference is free of charge and accessible via a new framework.
Also Read: WWDC 2025: Apple unveils watchOS 26 with Liquid Glass design
New CarPlay Features
CarPlay has been upgraded to iOS 26 to improve the user experience. The new design includes a condensed display of incoming calls, allowing users to know who is calling without missing critical information. Tapbacks and pinned conversations have also been introduced to CarPlay’s Messages, and widgets and Live Activities keep users engaged while driving. CarPlay Ultra provides a unified experience, integrating the best of iPhone and automobile technologies across all screens.
Apple Music
Apple Music has Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation, allowing listeners to sing along regardless of language, and AutoMix employs intelligence to effortlessly segue between tracks, much like a DJ, employing time stretching and beat matching.
Apple Wallet
Apple Wallet has been improved to make daily interactions with the real world easier. Apple Pay for iPhone allows users to pay for in-store purchases in installments or with rewards. Refreshed boarding cards provide real-time flight updates and access to the most crucial information for travellers, such as Maps for airport navigation and Find My for monitoring vital things and reporting lost luggage.
Apple Maps
Apple Maps now includes Visited Places, which allows users to recall previously visited locations. iPhones can recognise when users are at a specific place and display all Visited Places in Maps. Apple has no access to these locations since they are encrypted from beginning to end. The iPhone also employs on-device intelligence to analyse users’ everyday itineraries, recommending recommended routes, notifying of delays, and proposing other possibilities.
Also Read: visionOS 26 Unveiled: Your Room Just Got Smarter (and Slightly Spookier)
Apple Games, AirPods, Safari and more
Apple Games is a new app that provides an all-in-one destination for gamers to enjoy their favourite games, discover new favourites, and spend more time with friends. It gives information on significant events and upgrades across all games, and it is the greatest way to experience Apple Arcade, Apple’s gaming subscription service that includes over 200 award-winning and highly rated games for the entire family.
AirPods 4 and Pro 2 now support studio-quality audio recording, voice isolation, and ANC on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The camera remote lets users capture images or start and stop video recordings on their iPhone or iPad by touching and holding the AirPod stem. This increases the adaptability of the AirPods technology.
Parents may now establish or move kids to Child Accounts with improved controls to guarantee their safety. These safeguards include communication restrictions, communication safety, and the App Store. Parents may authorise contact requests, obscure sensitive information in FaceTime talks and photographs, and make exceptions for installing applications with age ratings that exceed their specified content limitations.
Also Read: iPadOS 26 Debuts: A Window to a Smarter, More Creative iPad Experience
Safari now includes sophisticated fingerprinting protection for all surfing by default, while Accessibility Reader provides a personalised systemwide reading experience and Braille Access for iPhone devices with linked displays. Additionally, changes to Live Listen, Background Sounds, and Personal Voice improve accessibility throughout the Apple ecosystem.
