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Apple has officially rolled out iOS 26 featuring a new design, built with a transluscent material called Liquid Glass to its entire ecosystem. This isn't just an update for your iPhone; it extends across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26.
If you own an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV, here's what you can expect:
Apple Intelligence
Apple's host of advanced AI features will be available across its ecosystem under the banner of Apple Intelligence. You can look forward to Live Translation which helps you communicate effortlessly across different languages in Messages, FaceTime, and even regular phone calls with AirPods, and Visual Intelligence lets you take a screenshot and ask ChatGPT questions about what's on your screen, or search for similar images and products on sites like Google and TikTok.
iPhone
The Lock Screen on your iPhone now has more customisation options, with a sleek time display and cool 3D spatial scenes.
In the Phone app, Call Screening can screen calls from unknown numbers, and Hold Assist can wait on the line for you until a real person is available. In Messages, you can now filter unknown senders, create polls, and add different backgrounds to your conversations. The new Apple Games app is also a centralised place to find, play, and track all your games.
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iPad
iPadOS 26 introduces a new windowing system that lets you fluidly resize and arrange app windows just as you would on a desktop computer. The Files app is also improved, making it easier to manage and edit your files on your iPad.
Apple Watch
The Workout app on your Apple Watch is getting a boost with Workout Buddy, which uses Apple Intelligence to give you personalised, spoken motivation during your workouts. WatchOS 26 also adds a new one-handed wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications and brings the Notes app to your wrist for the first time.
AirPods and CarPlay
Your AirPods are getting a major upgrade with studio-quality audio recording and Voice Isolation to help you record content in noisy environments. A new camera remote feature lets you start or stop video recordings with a simple press of the AirPods stem. For drivers, CarPlay is also getting updates that make it even more beautiful and easy to use, with a new compact view for calls and widgets for at-a-glance information.
How to Get iOS 26 and How to Prepare
If your iPhone runs on iOS 18 or later, you're in luck! Most devices from the iPhone 11 and onwards are eligible for the update, except for the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
Tips for a Smooth Update:
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Declutter your iPhone: Clear out old apps and files to make sure you have enough space.
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Update your apps: Running older apps on the new iOS release can cause glitches and issues. Generally, it's always a good idea to regularly update all of your apps.
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Back up your data: Always back up your phone before a major software update in case something goes wrong.
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Charge your phone: It's okay if your phone is at 50%, but it's better to plug it in before you start.
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Time it right: A major update can take up to four hours. Don't start the process right before an important event or appointment.
To install, simply go to Settings > General > Software Update and the option to install iOS 26 should be available.
Should You Wait?
While the new features are exciting, almost every major iOS update has a few initial bugs. If your livelihood depends on your iPhone working perfectly, it might be a good idea to wait a few days to see what other users report. You can also wait for the inevitable iOS 26.0.1 bug fix release, which usually comes out a few weeks later.
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Here are some major announcements made at Apple's recent 9 September event: