Apple has released its iOS 26 software update, introducing more than 20 new features powered by Apple Intelligence. This expansion effectively doubles the number of AI-driven capabilities that were first introduced with iOS 18, enhancing functions across communication, app integration, and image generation for users with compatible iPhone models.
The new features in iOS 26 are organized into four distinct categories: Communication, Expanding into more apps and languages, Image creation upgrades, and Miscellaneous. This release builds upon the foundation of over 20 features that debuted with Apple Intelligence in the previous iOS 18 update, signaling a continued integration of artificial intelligence into the operating system’s core functionalities.
A primary focus of the update is on communication tools within the Messages, FaceTime, and Phone applications. Several new capabilities have been added to enhance user interaction and accessibility. These features are listed by 9to5Mac and include:
- Live Translation for Messages: This function provides two-way, automatic translation of text conversations directly within the Messages app. It is designed to interpret and convert messages into various supported languages in real time.
- Messages poll suggestions: The system can now automatically generate suggestions for creating polls based on the context of an ongoing conversation, streamlining group decision-making.
- Conversation backgrounds with Image Playground: Users can now create and apply custom background images for their conversations in the Messages app using the Image Playground feature.
- Messages natural language search: An AI-powered search function has been integrated into Messages, allowing users to more effectively find specific messages, photos, links, and other shared content using natural language queries.
- Live Translation for calls: Both the FaceTime and Phone apps now support live translation. The feature can automatically transcribe conversations or provide spoken translations during a call for supported languages.
- Voicemail summaries: The system will now automatically generate summaries of transcribed voicemails, providing users with a concise overview of a message’s content.
- AirPods Live Translation: Initially introduced with the AirPods Pro 3, this live translation feature is now also supported on AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models when paired with a compatible device running iOS 26.
Apple has also broadened the reach of Apple Intelligence to more system applications, enabled new integrations for third-party developers, and expanded its language support. The update brings AI enhancements to Maps and Shortcuts, among other system apps. New functionalities in this category include:
- Apple Maps upgraded search: Artificial intelligence has been used to enhance the search function within Apple Maps, aiming to deliver more effective and relevant results.
- Shortcuts AI actions: Users can now create and use actions in the Shortcuts app that directly utilize Apple’s AI models, Writing Tools, or image-creation features.
- Auto-categorizing reminders: The Reminders app can now automatically organize an unsorted list of tasks into logical categories.
- Reminders suggestions: The system can suggest new reminders based on content found within an email, a webpage, or a note.
- Apple Wallet order tracking: AI is now used to extract order-tracking information from a user’s email inbox, including purchases from retailers like Amazon, and display it within the Apple Wallet app.
- AI models for third-party apps: Developers of third-party applications can now access Apple’s Foundation Models to implement their own AI-powered features.
- New supported languages: Support for Apple Intelligence has been extended to include Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (traditional), and Vietnamese.
The Genmoji and Image Playground features, which allow for AI-based image creation, have also received several upgrades. These updates focus on providing greater customization and creative options. The enhancements are:
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- ChatGPT in Image Playground: Users can now leverage ChatGPT to create custom images directly within Image Playground.
- Genmoji that mix multiple emoji: A new capability allows users to combine two separate emoji to generate a new, unique Genmoji.
*Custom facial expressions: Both Image Playground and Genmoji now permit users to customize the facial expressions of people in their creations.
- Personal attributes for people’s images: The tools also allow for the modification of personal attributes on images of people, such as adding or changing facial hair and eyewear.
Additional miscellaneous features round out the iOS 26 update. These include a new battery management mode, improved visual analysis for screenshots, and more extensive notification summaries. Specifically, these features are:
- Adaptive Power mode: This new mode uses AI-driven optimizations to manage device functions and extend battery life.
- Visual intelligence for screenshots: After taking a screenshot, new contextual options are available, such as Ask ChatGPT, Image Search, and Add to Calendar, based on the image content.
- Notification summaries for all apps: The notification summary feature has been expanded and now includes summaries for News and Entertainment notifications.
Several new Apple Intelligence features for watchOS 26 are also dependent on the main device running iOS 26, as the iPhone is required to run the AI models that power these watch functions.
Regarding hardware compatibility, the requirements for running Apple Intelligence features in iOS 26 remain unchanged from the initial launch with iOS 18. Devices that supported the initial set of AI features will be able to run all the new capabilities introduced in this update. However, Apple has not expanded support to any older iPhone models. This means the new iOS 26 features are available only on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and any models from the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series, as well as the iPhone Air.
