iOS 26: 5 Key Things to Know About Apple’s Boldest iPhone Update Yet
At WWDC on June 9, Apple officially pulled back the curtain on iOS 26—its most significant iPhone software update in over a decade. This release introduces not just a new naming convention but a complete visual and functional overhaul, including the debut of a striking new design language called Liquid Glass, and a powerful suite of AI features under the banner of Apple Intelligence.
While the update has sparked both excitement and skepticism—especially around the look and feel of Liquid Glass—there’s no doubt that iOS 26 marks a major shift. The software will roll out this fall alongside Apple’s next iPhone lineup. Here’s what you need to know.
1. AI Takes Center Stage in iOS 26
Apple may have been slower than some to embrace AI, but it’s going all-in with iOS 26. Leveraging Apple Intelligence, the update brings smarter, more contextual features across the system:
- Visual Intelligence: iOS 26 can now analyze what’s on your screen and help you act on it. Looking at a product? Ask ChatGPT for more info, or search platforms like Google or Etsy for similar items. Viewing an event flyer? Your iPhone will suggest adding it to your calendar—auto-filling the date, time, and location.
- Email Smarts: Apple Intelligence can detect and summarize order tracking details from merchant emails.
- OpenAI Partnership: Through a collaboration with OpenAI, Siri and other parts of iOS can tap into ChatGPT when needed. All processing is done on-device or via Apple’s encrypted Private Cloud Compute, but when ChatGPT is used, OpenAI’s privacy policies apply.
Developers also benefit from a new Foundation Models framework, giving them access to Apple’s on-device AI—fast, private, and offline-ready. But experts urge caution.
“We’re still in the early days of consumer AI,” says ESET cybersecurity advisor Jake Moore. “Users should be mindful of how much personal data they share—and avoid AI features that feel more gimmick than useful.”
2. Call and Message Screening Get Smarter
Building on iOS 18’s Live Voicemail, iOS 26 introduces call screening for real-time call filtering. Messages also get a boost:
- Unknown senders will now be sorted into a dedicated inbox.
- Users can label them as known, request more info, or simply delete—until then, these messages stay silenced.
Moore calls this “a hugely impressive step” in giving users more control over their digital communications.
3. Device Compatibility: What Gets iOS 26—and What Doesn’t
iOS 26 will be available this fall as a free update for iPhone 11 and newer models. That means the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max will no longer be supported.
Even among supported phones, Apple Intelligence features will be limited to:
- iPhone 16 models
- iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
- iPad mini (A17 Pro)
- iPads and Macs with M1 chips or later
Devices without access to Apple Intelligence may still get basic iOS 26 updates but will miss out on core AI capabilities.
“This is the beginning of the end for some devices,” Moore warns. Without updates, older phones become more vulnerable to security threats, and fewer apps will support them over time.
4. Privacy and Security Get Subtle but Powerful Upgrades
Beyond AI, iOS 26 introduces several under-the-hood improvements:
- Safari now includes advanced fingerprinting protection, enabled by default for all browsing.
- Child Account setup and management has been streamlined, giving parents more control and security tools for younger users.
These changes show Apple’s ongoing commitment to privacy—even as AI and cloud services grow more complex.
5. How to Get iOS 26
Excited to try it out? Here’s the rollout plan:
- Developer beta: Already available.
- Public beta: Coming next month via the Apple Beta Software Program.
- Final release: Launching this fall with the new iPhone lineup.
Expect changes and bug fixes along the way, but Apple will continue supporting iOS 18 with security updates as iOS 26 rolls out.
Final Thoughts:
iOS 26 is more than a facelift—it’s Apple’s official leap into the AI age. From real-time assistance to better message control and enhanced privacy, it’s a bold evolution of the iPhone experience. But as with all big shifts, it pays to stay informed—and cautious.
