Apple has officially introduced iOS 26 at WWDC 2025, and it’s one of the most significant updates in recent years. With a completely redesigned interface inspired by visionOS and packed with AI-powered enhancements, iOS 26 brings a fresh look and new functionality to iPhones. Notably, Apple is now aligning iOS version numbers with the year of release, skipping ahead to iOS 26 in 2025.
Curious about the new iOS 26 features, compatible devices, and how to install the beta version early? This guide has everything you need to know.
What’s New in iOS 26?
iOS 26 introduces a new design language called Liquid Glass, smarter features powered by Apple Intelligence, and improved system apps. Here’s a closer look at the key iOS 26 features:
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Liquid Glass UI: Enjoy a sleeker, futuristic interface with 3D motion wallpapers, semi-transparent widgets, and frosted glass effects.
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AI with Apple Intelligence: Smart tools like live language translation, intelligent calendar suggestions from your photos, and personalized recommendations make your iPhone more intuitive.
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Phone App Revamp: Access favourites, recents, and voicemails from a unified space. New tools like Call Screening and Hold Assist enhance your calling experience.
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Upgraded Messages App: Set custom chat backgrounds, create polls in group chats, and filter unknown messages. AI can also help generate poll questions.
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New Apple Games App: All your Apple Arcade games and downloaded titles are organized in one convenient location.
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Improved Apple Maps & CarPlay: View visited locations in Maps and enjoy a more streamlined CarPlay interface with compact notifications.
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Enhanced AirPods & Parental Controls: Use AirPods to snap photos and experience improved audio quality. Parents can now manage contacts and content sharing for their kids with greater precision.
List of iPhones Compatible with iOS 26
Not all devices will support the iOS 26 update. Below is the official list of iOS 26 eligible iPhones:
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iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e
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iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
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iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
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iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
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iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
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iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
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iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation – 2020 & 2022)
Note: The upcoming iPhone 17 series will ship with iOS 26 pre-installed.
