iOS 26 Released: Experience Liquid Glass Design - Apple

iOS 26: A Comprehensive Overview of Apple’s Latest iPhone Update

The iOS 26 software update from Apple will be released on Monday for iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and all subsequent iPhone models. A central component of this release is Apple’s innovative Liquid Glass design.

This new design introduces visual elements that mimic a “glassy” aesthetic directly on the device’s screen, enhancing the user interface.

Key Features of iOS 26

Beyond the visual overhaul, iOS 26 incorporates several new functionalities designed to improve the user experience.

• Call Screening Assistant: This feature assists users in managing incoming calls.
• Gaming and Preview App: A dedicated application for gaming enthusiasts and those interested in app previews.
• System-Wide In-App Translation: Translation capabilities are now integrated throughout the operating system, directly within applications.
• Genmoji and Image Playground Updates: Enhancements have been made to both the Genmoji and Image Playground applications.

The Leap to iOS 26: A Significant Numerical Shift

This update marks a substantial change in Apple’s versioning scheme, moving from iOS 18 to iOS 26.

Two primary motivations drove this decision. Firstly, Apple aimed to synchronize the version numbers across all its operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and VisionOS.

Secondly, the numerical change was intended to align the operating system version with the year in which the majority of users are expected to adopt the update.

This strategic shift aims to provide a more cohesive and intuitive experience for users across the Apple ecosystem.

Liquid Glass Design in iOS

The introduction of Liquid Glass represents a substantial visual transformation for the iOS operating system, marking the most significant aesthetic update in recent years. Apple’s goal with this redesign was to draw inspiration from the user interface of the Vision Pro and extend its characteristics across all of its platforms.

The core concept involves rendering interface elements as if constructed from translucent glass. However, this approach has presented certain difficulties concerning legibility and the appearance of background components.

Initial Challenges and Adjustments

Throughout the beta testing phase, beginning in June, Apple implemented numerous modifications to the degree of “glassiness” within the interface. These adjustments aimed to refine the visual experience.

With the official release of iOS 26 today, further visual enhancements focused on improving readability and overall usability are anticipated in future updates.

User Adaptation

It is likely that users will require a period of adjustment to fully acclimate to this new visual style. Initial reactions to specific elements may vary as individuals become familiar with the Liquid Glass design.

Readability and usability are key areas Apple is actively addressing based on user feedback.

Apple iOS Updates

The Phone application now features a redesigned interface, presenting your frequently contacted numbers prominently in a card-based format. Recent calls and voicemail messages are conveniently located on the same screen. Users can also utilize a filter button to view each of these sections independently. A preference option is also available, allowing a return to the classic interface if desired.

Furthermore, iOS 26 introduces a call-screening capability for iPhones, a particularly useful addition. When a call originates from an unrecognized number, the system proactively requests the caller’s name and the reason for their call. Following this information exchange, the system activates the ringer and provides you with a notification. The ongoing conversation can be reviewed, and you can join the call at any point. While voicemail transcription accuracy varies depending on the language, this screening feature has demonstrably reduced the number of unwanted calls received.

A holding assist function is also included, designed for situations where you are placed on hold by a business or support line. This feature provides notifications when a representative becomes available again.

The Messages app is receiving enhancements to align with popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. These include customizable backgrounds, a revised conversation flow, the addition of polls, improved text selection, previews of photos, and typing indicators within group chats. Apple has also been refining its SMS filtering system for several years, and this release incorporates updated spam filtering. Messages from unknown senders are now organized into a dedicated folder. However, accessing the transactions tab now requires a couple of additional taps.

A comprehensive overhaul of the Games app centralizes access to your currently played and previously played games, as well as Apple Arcade titles, challenges, and achievements. The app also provides recommendations for new games and displays the games your friends are currently enjoying.

The Preview app, previously exclusive to macOS, has been integrated into iOS 26, enabling more streamlined editing, annotation, and signing of PDF documents.

Apple Music now features automixing for seamless song transitions, alongside lyrics translation and pronunciation capabilities. Users can also now pin their preferred songs and playlists for quick access.

With iOS 26, Apple Maps allows users to designate preferred routes for their commutes. The app will notify you if your chosen route experiences traffic congestion or incidents, and will suggest alternative options. A new places library also simplifies the process of reviewing previously visited locations.

The Camera app in iOS 26 adopts the Liquid Glass design, initially displaying only Video and Photo options. Different shooting modes can be accessed by swiping left or right. Controls such as Flash and Night mode are positioned at the top right for easy access. Additional options, including filters, styles, exposure controls, and a timer, are revealed by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.

For those who preferred the earlier design, the tabbed interface has been reinstated in this version of the Photos app.

AI Capabilities in iOS 26

In contrast to the extensive AI introduction accompanying last year’s Apple Intelligence, the current operating system update presents a more restrained set of AI functionalities. This is particularly noticeable considering the postponements experienced in the launch and deployment of certain features.

The company is prioritizing accessibility by integrating AI-driven translation directly into core applications such as Messages, FaceTime, and Phone. Currently, this capability extends support to English (both U.K. and U.S. dialects), French (France), German, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish (Spain).

With the release of iOS 26, real-time translation is now available for AirPods, encompassing the latest AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4 models.

Furthermore, iOS 26 enhances visual intelligence, enabling the system to interpret the content displayed on the screen. Activation is achieved by simultaneously pressing the Power and volume down buttons, which then reveals a dedicated menu.

Apple Intelligence can subsequently propose events for addition to your calendar. Users can also pose questions regarding the screen's content, leveraging services like Google Visual Search or ChatGPT. A new feature, “Circle to Search” – named Highlight by Apple – is also being introduced.

A point of potential confusion within this update lies in the shared button assignment. The same buttons used to access on-screen visual intelligence also function as the screenshot capture mechanism. Consequently, an additional step is required to preserve screenshots, and some important captures have been inadvertently lost.

iOS 26 brings updates to Genmoji, allowing users to combine two emojis using a text prompt to create novel designs. Expression can now be added to individuals within both Genmoji and Image Playground.

The Image Playground has also been updated, now permitting modification of attributes such as hair and facial hair, alongside the introduction of new styles generated by ChatGPT.

Expanded Functionality in iOS 26

A range of new capabilities have been integrated into the latest iOS update. These enhancements focus on user convenience and expanded control over device features.

Customizable Alarm Snooze Options

Users are now afforded greater flexibility when setting alarm snoozes. Snooze durations can be precisely adjusted, ranging from a brief 1 minute to a more extended 15 minutes.

Enhanced Wallet App Features

The Wallet application has received a significant update. It now facilitates the creation of a digital identification card utilizing passport information for streamlined TSA airport security checks.

Furthermore, the boarding pass display within the Wallet app has been redesigned. This revised interface provides passengers with more comprehensive details regarding their flight and the airport itself.

Advanced Voice Recording Capabilities

iOS 26 introduces improvements to the Voice recording functionality. Users can now select their preferred audio input source directly within the app.

The update also incorporates voice isolation technology. Additionally, it enables local recording of both audio and video, ensuring privacy and control for content creators, particularly those utilizing video calls for podcast production.

Intelligent Reminders

Apple is enhancing the Reminders app with intelligent features. The system can now automatically generate grocery lists based on ingredients identified within recipes accessed on web pages.

Contextual reminders are also being implemented. These will proactively surface based on the content of emails, websites, or notes currently being viewed by the user.

Accessibility Information in the App Store

The App Store is now displaying Accessibility Nutrition Labels. These labels clearly indicate the availability of accessibility features within each application.

Features highlighted include support for VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text options, Sufficient Contrast settings, Reduced Motion, and the inclusion of captions.

Strengthened Parental Controls

Parental control features have been updated to provide increased protection and oversight. Communication from unapproved phone numbers can now be restricted.

Age-appropriate experiences are also being enabled within third-party applications and the App Store, ensuring a safer digital environment for younger users.

A comprehensive collection of these and other minor, yet beneficial, iOS features are now available. To install iOS 26, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update and download the newest version.