Apple unveils iOS 26 with fresh design, AI enhancements, and smarter connectivity

Apple has unveiled latest iPhone operating system at its World Wide Developer Conference in Cupertino. The official release is expected this Autumn, and it will be available as a free update for iPhone 11 and later.

The changes are around a redesigned interface, expanded artificial intelligence capabilities under the new “Apple Intelligence” banner, and notable improvements to core apps like Phone, Messages, Maps, and Music.

Previewed today at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, the update brings what the company describes as a more “expressive and personal” experience.

Among the most visually striking changes is the introduction of a new design material called Liquid Glass, adding depth and interactivity to the Home Screen, Lock Screen, widgets, and app icons. The Lock Screen now features spatial 3D wallpapers and dynamic time layouts, while apps such as Camera, Safari, and Photos have been streamlined for ease of use and visual clarity.

With iOS 26, the new design extends into the car for a consistent, expressive experience.

Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said: “iOS 26 shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful.”

Apple Intelligence

Central to the iOS 26 update is the expansion of Apple Intelligence, the company’s on-device AI engine that handles tasks locally with a focus on user privacy. The system now supports Live Translation within Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls, translating both audio and text in real-time across multiple languages.

New visual intelligence features allow users to interact with what they see on screen—highlighting calendar dates, suggesting actions, and even using ChatGPT integration to gather context or search for similar images online. Meanwhile, Genmoji and Image Playground offer custom emoji and AI-generated visuals for more personalized communication.

Developers also gain access to Apple’s on-device foundation model through a new Foundation Models framework, enabling integration of AI features into third-party apps without requiring server-based processing.

Streamlined Communications and Smarter Call Handling

The Phone and Messages apps receive significant upgrades aimed at improving communication and minimizing unwanted interruptions. A unified Phone app layout consolidates Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail, while new features like Call Screening and Hold Assist empower users to avoid spam calls and manage wait times more effectively.

Messages now offers sender screening for unknown contacts, grouped in a dedicated folder. New conversation tools include the ability to create polls, customize chat backgrounds, and exchange Apple Cash in group threads. Apple Intelligence can even suggest polls when it detects group planning in progress.

CarPlay, Music, Maps, and Wallet Get Smarter

CarPlay has been refreshed with a sleeker interface and expanded messaging capabilities. A compact incoming call view preserves navigation visibility, and new features like pinned messages and Live Activities keep drivers informed without distractions.

Apple Music now supports Lyrics Translation and Lyrics Pronunciation, helping users sing along in multiple languages. A new AutoMix feature uses beat matching and time stretching for seamless song transitions.

Apple Maps introduces Visited Places, a feature that privately logs frequented locations using end-to-end encryption. Route suggestions now use on-device intelligence to account for user habits and traffic conditions.

Apple Wallet adds support for installment payments and spending rewards through Apple Pay, while updated boarding passes offer real-time travel information, including maps, Find My integration, and flight updates.

The new design extends to the Home Screen and Lock Screen, making them more personal and expressive than ever. Liquid Glass also brings new customization options to app icons and widgets, including a clear look

Introducing Apple Games and Enhanced Accessibility

A standout new addition in iOS 26 is Apple Games, a dedicated app designed as a central hub for all gaming activity on iPhone. The app consolidates game titles, news, events, and Apple Arcade content in one place.

Accessibility sees continued expansion, including a new Accessibility Reader, Braille Access interface for braille display users, and improvements to Live Listen and Personal Voice.

AirPods users can now control iPhone and iPad camera functions remotely and record studio-quality audio via their devices. Parents also get improved tools for managing Child Accounts, including new safeguards in FaceTime, Shared Albums, and the App Store.

In Apple Music, Lyrics Translation helps users understand the words to their favorite songs.

Call Screening builds on Live Voicemail and helps eliminate interruptions by gathering information from the caller and giving users the details they need to decide if they want to pick up or ignore the call.

Availability

Developers can access iOS 26 today via the Apple Developer Program, with a public beta slated for next month. Apple Intelligence features require newer devices—including all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, and M1 or later iPads and Macs—and are currently supported in a limited number of languages, with more to be added by year-end.