iOS 26 Is Official: Apple Switches To Year-Based Naming. Here's What's New For Your iPhone

Apple has officially launched iOS 26, ushering in a fresh approach not just to features but to its naming strategy. Moving away from its numerical sequence (which would have placed this update as iOS 19), Apple is now aligning its mobile operating system versions with the calendar year — and the changes don’t stop at the name. iOS 26 brings a bold new design overhaul, deeper AI integration through “Apple Intelligence,” and significant upgrades across core apps like Messages, Phone, CarPlay, and Apple Music.
”iOS 26 shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
<h3 data-start=”869″ data-end=”910″>Liquid Glass & a More Personal iPhone</h3>
Central to the new aesthetic is Liquid Glass, a translucent, dynamic interface layer that refracts surroundings and adds a living texture to icons, widgets, and navigation controls. The Lock Screen and Home Screen now adapt more expressively to user preferences, including dynamic wallpapers with 3D depth effects and floating tab bars in apps like Apple Music and Podcasts.
<img src=”https://www.apple.com/newsroom/images/2025/06/apple-elevates-the-iphone-experience-with-ios-26/article/Apple-WWDC25-iOS-26-Home-Screen-customization-250609_big.jpg.large.jpg” alt=”Three iPhone 16 Pro devices show the new design with Liquid Glass.” width=”720″ />
App icons and widgets get a glassy, minimal makeover, and the Camera and Photos apps receive streamlined layouts. Safari flows seamlessly from top to bottom, and dynamic resizing of UI elements ensures the content takes centre stage.
Developers are also getting access to Liquid Glass APIs, opening the door for third-party apps to join this visually fluid experience.
<h3 data-start=”1662″ data-end=”1703″>AI That Works On-Device and On-Demand</h3>
iOS 26 is Apple’s most intelligence-infused release yet, or so the Cupertino giant claims. Apple Intelligence is now built directly into the operating system, enabling new features like Live Translation across Messages, FaceTime, and Phone — all processed on-device to ensure user privacy.
Building on this, visual intelligence can scan whatever’s on-screen and assist users with contextual tasks — whether it’s adding events from a screenshot or asking ChatGPT to break down what you’re seeing. It also lets users search for products or similar visuals across supported apps like Google or Etsy.
<img src=”https://feeds.abplive.com/onecms/images/uploaded-images/2025/06/09/73e93e69ce2c77ac20574bf5ab131be51749492401243402_original.png” width=”720″ />
Genmoji and Image Playground take expression to the next level, allowing users to combine emojis and descriptions into custom visuals. “Users can get things done easier than ever,” Federighi added.
Shortcuts now tap into intelligent suggestions, including automated tracking of deliveries pulled from emails, and developers can harness Apple’s foundational AI models offline and free of cost.
<h3 data-start=”2666″ data-end=”2724″>Smarter Communication, Smoother Driving, Sharper Music</h3>
The Phone app now integrates Favourites, Recents, and Voicemail into one unified screen. New features like Call Screening and Hold Assist let users filter unwanted calls or wait for a human agent without being stuck on hold.
<img src=”https://www.apple.com/newsroom/images/2025/06/apple-elevates-the-iphone-experience-with-ios-26/article/Apple-WWDC25-iOS-26-Music-Lyric-Translation-250609_inline.jpg.large.jpg” alt=”The new Lyrics Translation feature is shown in Apple Music on iPhone 16 Pro.” width=”720″ />
In Messages, unknown senders are screened to a separate inbox, and users can generate polls or set custom AI-generated chat backgrounds. Apple Cash can now be requested or sent directly in group chats, and typing indicators are now visible in group conversations.
CarPlay gets a visual boost with compact call notifications, pinned messages, and dynamic widgets, all extending to the new CarPlay Ultra layout for a more immersive, in-car experience.
Meanwhile, Apple Music introduces Lyrics Translation and Lyrics Pronunciation, helping users understand and sing along with international tracks. AutoMix uses AI to blend tracks like a live DJ.
<h3 data-start=”3607″ data-end=”3638″>More Perks Across the Board</h3>
Maps now keeps track of “Visited Places” with on-device smarts and end-to-end encryption. Wallet adds options to pay with rewards or instalments and offers real-time boarding pass updates and airport navigation.
A new Apple Games app consolidates all your games in one place, highlighting events and updates while streamlining the Apple Arcade experience. AirPods gain remote photo controls and studio-quality voice isolation, and child accounts now offer expanded parental controls, including blurred sensitive content in Shared Albums.
Accessibility also sees an upgrade with features like Braille Access and Accessibility Reader for personalised experiences.
<h3 data-start=”4305″ data-end=”4329″>When Can You Get iOS 26?</h3>
Developers can start testing iOS 26 today, with a public beta arriving next month. The final release will roll out this fall to iPhone 11 and later models. Apple Intelligence features, however, require newer devices like the iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 Pro models, and M1-powered iPads and Macs.
With iOS 26, Apple is not just updating the software — it’s redefining what users can expect from their iPhones each year, blending aesthetic finesse with practical intelligence.