iOS 26 has finally been released after beta testing that went on for three months. The update can be installed on iPhone 11 models or later. To install the update, you have to go to Settings, General, then go to the section for Software Update.
Note that some of these features are exclusive to newer models of iPhones. The iOS 26 gives us improvements on the Lock Screen, with the clock adapting to fill empty spaces, hold assist, which automatically waits when you’re on hold then you’ll get notified when the agent is back on the line, and call screening, where an unknown caller will be asked for their name and reason for calling.
With upgraded CarPlay, the liquid glass design will expand to the interface, providing translucent elements, icons, menus and buttons that refract and reflect its surroundings. iMessage will add polls, Apple Cash for group chats, backgrounds for any convo, a ‘Select’ option in text bubbles, screening of unknown senders, and group chat typing indicators.
The Automix feature allows for seamless music transitions. Adaptive power mode extends the battery life of your iPhone with performance adjustments. iOS 26 also brings the Preview app from the Mac, which lets you mark up and edit images as well as PDF files.
