Apple has officially released the iOS 26 public beta, giving users an early chance to experience some of the most transformative updates to the iPhone operating system in recent years. From the visually striking “Liquid Glass” design to powerful new communication tools and privacy enhancements, iOS 26 lays the foundation for Apple’s next-generation mobile experience.
What’s New in iOS 26?
Liquid Glass UI: A Modern, Translucent Look
At the forefront of iOS 26 is the new Liquid Glass design. This translucent UI update modernizes the iPhone’s Home and Lock screens with responsive visual effects that adapt to lighting and wallpaper colors. App icons, widgets, and control buttons now float elegantly with subtle depth and glassy animations across Apple’s entire OS ecosystem—from macOS Tahoe to iPadOS 26.
Enhanced Phone App with Hold Assist
The redesigned Phone app merges contacts, call history, and voicemail into a unified screen. One of its standout features is Hold Assist: your iPhone can now detect when a customer service agent joins the call and automatically notify you—so you can multitask instead of waiting on hold.
Real-Time Translation in Messages and FaceTime
Live Translation is a major new feature built into Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. It enables real-time, on-device voice and text translation during conversations. This opens up seamless global communication without the need for third-party apps.
Group Chat Polls
Creating polls in group chats is now native to iMessage. Whether you’re deciding on dinner plans or road trip logistics, you can create and vote in polls with just a few taps.
Visual Intelligence
With Visual Intelligence, iOS 26 lets you identify and shop for objects seen in photos or on-screen. Just screenshot anything—from shoes to plants—and your iPhone will scan and find relevant results online. It works similarly to reverse image search but is deeply integrated into the OS.
Revamped Photos App
Responding to user feedback, Apple is restoring key tabs in the Photos app. Library and Collections are now separate again, making it easier to organize and browse your media without endless scrolling.
FaceTime Communication Safety
A new privacy and safety measure automatically freezes FaceTime video if nudity is detected on either end of the call. This is part of Apple’s expanded child safety features and works entirely on-device to ensure privacy.
Siri: Big Changes Coming, But Not Yet
Apple’s full AI-powered Siri upgrade won’t arrive until 2026, according to recent updates. However, rumors point to integrations with external models like ChatGPT or Claude. For now, Siri remains largely unchanged in iOS 26.
Which iPhones Are Compatible with iOS 26?
Most iPhones from 2019 onward support iOS 26. Notably, the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max will not receive the update. Compatible models include:
- iPhone SE (2nd gen or newer)
- iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 / 12 Mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 / 13 Mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 / 15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 lineup
When and How to Install the iOS 26 Public Beta
The iOS 26 public beta became available on July 24, 2025. To try it out:
- Visit beta.apple.com and enroll your Apple ID.
- On your eligible iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Choose “iOS 26 Public Beta” and follow the prompts to install.
Important: As with any beta software, there may be bugs. Avoid installing it on your primary device unless you’re comfortable with occasional issues.
Final Release Date
Apple traditionally launches its final iOS version one week after the annual iPhone event. This means iOS 26 is expected to roll out to the public in September 2025, likely around the same time as the release of the new iPhone 17 (or iPhone 26, depending on naming).
Final Thoughts
iOS 26 isn’t just an iterative update—it’s a visual and functional leap forward. From a striking new interface to productivity-boosting tools and smarter system intelligence, the update underscores Apple’s push for a more cohesive, personalized, and secure mobile experience. Whether you’re testing the beta now or waiting for the full release, iOS 26 is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most exciting iPhone updates to date.