Apple released iOS 26 on September 15, 2025, introducing the revolutionary Liquid Glass design language alongside enhanced Apple Intelligence features, Call Screening, and redesigned core apps.
The update is rolling out now to compatible iPhone models, though users may need to check multiple times as the rollout continues globally.
iOS 26 Liquid Glass design transforms iPhone interface with translucent elements
The marquee feature of iOS 26 is Apple’s Liquid Glass design, which includes elements on-screen that resembled a “glassy” look. This translucent material reflects and refracts its surroundings, while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content, delivering a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more.
Liquid Glass is translucent, and it’s meant to behave similarly to real glass. It allows light and color to filter through, so you’ll see bits of the background behind buttons, menus, and other interface elements.
Enhanced Apple Intelligence and communication features
iOS 26 expands Apple Intelligence capabilities with custom Genmoji creation using existing emoji, emoji combinations, or descriptive text. Live Translation automatically translates Messages text, provides live captions during FaceTime calls, and offers spoken translations for Phone conversations.
Other features include a call screening functionality that gathers necessary information before calls ring, helping users make informed decisions about answering unknown numbers.
Safari and app improvements with glass transparency
Safari uses the transparency to open the screen up more. That is, you get a bit more of the web page to look at than you did before. The change means there are floating address bars, fewer immediate buttons, and a generally sleeker content-first experience.
The Camera app features a simplified design highlighting Photo and Video modes, while other core apps receive visual refreshes that incorporate the Liquid Glass aesthetic throughout the interface.
Additional iOS 26 features and compatibility
iOS 26 introduces enhanced Photos app organization, improved Maps with route learning, a new Games app for tracking gameplay, and Preview app functionality for PDF editing. Apple has also released iOS/iPadOS 18.7, iOS/iPadOS 16.7.12, and iOS/iPadOS 15.8.5 for those unable to upgrade to iOS 26.
The update represents a significant visual and functional overhaul that transforms the iPhone experience through the innovative Liquid Glass design while maintaining familiar core functionality across all supported devices.
Does iOS 26 come with Liquid Glass?
Yes, iOS 26 brings the stunning Liquid Glass UI overhaul as its primary visual feature. Liquid Glass features a more fluid and glass-like interface introduced in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, tvOS 26, and watchOS 26. Apple describes Liquid Glass as a dynamic material that combines the “optical properties of glass with a sense of fluidity”.
The UI is full of semi-transparent windows and bubbles that can distort and contort text and images underneath it, as if you were looking through a convex glass lens.
Is iOS 26 out yet?
Yes, iOS 26 is the nineteenth and current major release of Apple’s iOS operating system for the iPhone. It was announced on June 9, 2025, at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), and released on September 15, 2025.
The update became available globally at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PDT).
How to install iOS 26
iOS 26 is available to install via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. The update is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. Follow these steps to install:
- Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi and ensure sufficient battery life,
- Open Settings on your iPhone,
- Tap General > Software Update,
- Tap Download and Install when iOS 26 appears,
- Enter your passcode when prompted,
- Agree to Terms and Conditions,
- Allow your iPhone to restart during the update process.
Back up your iPhone through iCloud or iTunes before updating to protect your data during the installation process.
