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Every year we get a nice little feature bump to our devices. Tech companies regularly drop end-of-year software updates to deliver new features and rethink older ones that aren’t working. Every now and again, though, we get something a big bigger. A bit bolder.
This year, Apple is delivering such an update: iOS 26 is set to the biggest update to the iPhone’s software since 2014’s iOS 7, which has served as the backbone of the operating system for a little over a decade.
Here, we’re going to break down the biggest questions we have around iOS 26. We’ll tell you how you can get involved in the developer beta to try it out ahead of the pack, which phones can actually use these new features, and whether Siri will ever get smarter.
The Biggest Questions around iOS 26
1. What’s the iOS 26 Release Date?
Apple tends to launch major upgrades to its biggest devices in the second half of the year. And while no definitive date has been set just yet, we’re expecting iOS 26 to be no different.
Apple itself has said it’ll launch in ‘Fall 2025’. Those of us used to the company’s release schedule know that probably means September, and it’ll likely launch alongside the upcoming iPhone 17 series.
It’s worth noting that while a developer beta is currently underway, there is a public beta launching in July, 2025.
2. Which of Apple’s devices will support iOS 26?
While the upcoming iPhone 17 series will undoubtedly be the star of the show for iOS 26, Apple is actually supporting devices all the way back to the iPhone 11 generation. Here’s a full list of which iPhones will be supported:
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, and 12 Mini
- iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, and 13 Mini
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, and 16e
- iPhone SE (second and third gen)
It’s worth noting that not everything listed here will get every new feature. Everything from the iPhone 11 through to the iPhone 15 Plus will not get access to any of Apple’s new AI features, which require at least an Apple A17 Pro processor to function.
3. How do you get into the iOS 26 Developer Beta?
While anyone can download the iOS 26 Developer Beta and start testing its new features on any compatible device, you’ll need to jump through a few hoops to get there.
Firstly, you’ll need to sign up as an ‘Apple Developer’ though the business’ developer portal, which will flag your Apple account as a developer account. This will allow you to opt-in to ‘beta’ software updates when they are available: such as the iOS 26 Beta going on right now.
Once you’re signed in, you should be able to navigate through Settings -> Software Updates, and will see a new option to turn on Beta Updates. From there, you’ll be able to enable the iOS 26 Developer Beta, and your phone will start downloading it.
Now, a word of warning: the beta is currently not quite fit for everyday use. It’s a developer beta, not a final release, and is really only supposed to be used by people to make sure apps don’t break in the new update. You can absolutely jump in to play around with it, but know that you’ll definitely run into bugs and issues.
4. What is Apple’s Liquid Glass?
‘Liquid Glass’ is what Apple is calling it’s next major UI refresh, and is bringing a more unified design across most of Apple’s major product lines. While Apple’s products usually follow a similar design language, they’ll now literally follow the same playbook.
The design is based largely around visionOS, though refined to create a more tactile, touch-based experience. Apple used the look and feel of rounded glass, or a droplet of water depending on how you want to look at it, as a starting point for how the OS will be interacted with.
iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS are all receiving visual and usability updates this coming September.
5. What are iOS 26’s Biggest New Features?
Beyond the redesign, there’s quite a bit of new stuff to contend with as well. Let’s break a few of the biggest ones down Apple has said is coming this time around.
- The Messages app will now have integrated anti-spam software, keeping all the random texts you get from scammers and grifters hidden away from real, usable communications from your friends, family and colleagues.
- The Messages, FaceTime and Phone apps will now feature the ability to translate other languages in real time, helping people communicate across language barriers.
- A new Games app will seek to unify the gaming experience across iOS, iPadOS and macOS – showcasing leaderboards, friends’ playtiem in games, and recommendations for titles you might be interested in.
- Shortcuts will be getting the massive addition of AI Actions, which will allow users to create commands that plug directly into a number of AI Engines.
- Apple Music will add a new option, AutoMix, which will effectively act as an AI-powered DJ: mixing songs together based on genre, vibe or artist. Plus, it’ll intelligently mess with the song’s timings to make them mix better.
It’s worth noting that while Apple has a pretty good track record when it comes to delivering features it says are coming, there’s a some pretty notable ones from last year that still haven’t appeared. In fact, let’s talk about that.
6. Is Siri Getting Smarter in iOS 26?
The big question: Is Siri finally going to dethrone other AI Assistants? No, it doesn’t appear so.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple’s chief of software Craig Federighi said the company had aimed a bit too high with its marketing of an Apple Intelligence-powered Siri, and that the tech just wasn’t ready for prime time.
Apple planned a two-stage rollout of Siri’s AI capabilities, but after a bunch of testing closed doors, the business decided that the feature didn’t meet its standards for release. As such, it’s been delayed indefinitely.
“We had something working, but as you got off the beaten path (with queries)…we weren’t able to achieve the reliability in the time that we thought initially we could get it done,” Federighi said.
By the time Apple delayed the features, it’d already been advertising them as a major component of iOS 18 and the then-upcoming iPhone 16 series. As such, Apple is currently embroiled in several class-action lawsuits regarding false advertising over its Apple Intelligence features. Whoops.
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