iOS 26

{{Infobox OS version

| name = iOS 26

| title = iOS 26

| logo = iOS 26 Logo.png

| logo size = 80px

| screenshot = IOS 26 Home Screen iPhone 16 Pro Max.png

| screenshot_size = 200px

| caption = iOS 26 Beta 1 running on an iPhone 16 Pro Max

| version of = iOS

| developer = Apple

| family = iOS

| GA date = {{Start date and age|2025|09}}

| working state =

| source model = Closed with open-source components

| discontinued =

| RTM date =

| programmed in = C, C++, Objective-C, Swift, assembly language

| language count = 42

| language footnote = {{Cite web |url=https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/#system-language-system-language |title=iOS and iPadOS – Feature Availability |publisher=Apple Inc. |access-date=May 16, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512155325/https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/ |archive-date=May 12, 2023}}

| language = Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional (Hong Kong), Chinese Traditional (Taiwan), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English (Australia), English (United Kingdom), English (United States), Finnish, French (Canada), French (France), German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian (iOS 18), Spanish, Lithuanian, (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

| supported platforms = iPhone

| userland =

| ui = Liquid Glass

| license =

| website = {{URL|apple.com/os/ios}}

| preceded by = iOS 18

| tagline = New look. Even more magic.

| support status = In Developer Beta, with Public Beta in July.

Drops support for iPhones with the A12 Bionic SoC, including the iPhone XS/XS Max and iPhone XR.

| other articles = iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe

}}

iOS 26 is the nineteenth and the next major release of Apple's iOS operating system for the iPhone. It was announced on June 9, 2025, at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC),{{Cite web |date=2025-06-02 |title=iOS 26 at WWDC 2025: Apple's major visual overhaul, AI battery features and more - CNBC TV18 |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/apple-ios-26-wwdc-2025-what-to-expect-new-features-new-design-and-more-19614137.htm |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=CNBCTV18 }} and is expected to be released in September.

It is the direct successor to iOS 18; its version number was brought forward to 26 due to a newly-announced policy of unified version numbers for Apple operating systems, which are now based on the year that follows their release (similarly to vehicle model years).{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=iOS 26 is official: Apple changes from version numbers to years for its OS names |url=https://www.engadget.com/apps/ios-26-is-official-apple-changes-from-version-numbers-to-years-for-its-os-names-172129166.html |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Pandey |first=Rajesh |date=2025-06-09 |title=Goodbye iOS 19, hello iOS 26: Apple switches to year-based names |url=https://www.cultofmac.com/news/goodbye-ios-19-hello-ios-26-apple-switches-to-year-based-name |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=Cult of Mac |language=en-US}}

Features

= System features =

== User interface ==

iOS 26 introduces a new unified design language across all Apple platforms known as Liquid Glass. Influenced by visionOS, the design replaces the flat design language introduced in iOS 7 to utilize rounded, translucent elements with the "optical qualities of glass" (including refraction), which would react to motion, content, and inputs. It also comes with the return of skeuomorphism from iOS 6 and earlier, most notable in the Camera app's new icon (which resembles the icon from iOS 6 and earlier). Multiple apps (including the camera and Safari among others) have redesigned user interfaces to reflect the new design language.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2025-06-09 |title=Apple redesigns its operatings systems with 'Liquid Glass' |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/09/apple-redesigns-its-operatings-systems-with-liquid-glass/ |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2025-06-09 |title=Apple announces iOS 26 with Liquid Glass redesign |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/678305/apple-ios-26-wwdc-2025 |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}

== Apple Intelligence ==

{{main|Apple Intelligence}}iOS 26 introduces new Apple Intelligence features; Apple Intelligence models were made more efficient and support additional languages.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=Apple Intelligence opened up to all developers with Foundation Models Framework |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/06/09/apple-intelligence-opened-up-to-all-developers-with-foundation-models-framework |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=AppleInsider |language=en}} It will support live translation of voice and text conversations using on-device models, while Genmoji can now be invoked to merge existing emojis together rather than needing to use a prompt.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=Apple Intelligence at WWDC: Everything Apple announced for iOS, macOS and more |url=https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-intelligence-at-wwdc-everything-apple-announced-for-ios-macos-and-more-171133202.html |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}

Shortcuts will support the integration of AI-based "intelligent actions" into its routines, including text proofreading and editing tools, and using a model (such as Apple Intelligence or external services such as ChatGPT).{{Cite web |date=2025-06-10 |title=Shortcuts makes Apple Intelligence more useful to everyday users |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/06/10/apple-intelligence-is-more-useful-after-being-added-to-shortcuts-in-macos-26 |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=AppleInsider |language=en}}

Visual Intelligence and Image Playground will also feature additional ChatGPT integration.

The new Foundation Models framework will allow Apple Intelligence features to be integrated into third-party apps; Apple stated that a Swift app can implement the framework in as little as three lines of code.

== Settings ==

The battery menu in the Settings app has been updated, adding comparison displays for battery usage on a daily basis. A new "adaptive power" mode is also introduced, which automatically performs optimizations (such as screen brightness adjustments and throttling) to improve battery life when device usage is higher than normal.{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=2025-06-09 |title=iOS 26's new 'adaptive power' mode dials back performance to save battery |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/683797/ios-26s-new-adaptive-power-mode-dials-back-performance-to-save-battery |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=iOS 26 Features Battery Settings Overhaul |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/09/ios-26-battery-settings-overhaul/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}

= App features =

== Messages ==

The Messages app will support adding backgrounds to conversations, polls, end to end encryption with RCS messaging, typing indicators for group chats, sending money through Apple Cash in group chats, and directing messages from unknown senders to a dedicated folder for screening.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=Here's What's New in Messages on iOS 26: Polls, Backgrounds, and More |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/09/apple-announces-ios-26-messages-app-features/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}

== Apple Music ==

Apple Music includes several new features, including "AutoMix"—a playback mode that will automatically generate transitions between songs using Apple Intelligence, the ability to view inline translations and pronunciation guides for song lyrics, and integration with the Apple Music Sing karaoke feature on the tvOS Apple Music app (including the ability to use an iPhone as a microphone, and for participants to control karaoke from their devicesOnly available on Apple TV 4K devices.).{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Ivan |date=2025-06-09 |title=Apple Music adds lyrics translation and pronunciation features in iOS 26 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/09/apple-music-adds-lyrics-translation-and-pronunciation-features-in-ios-26/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

== Home ==

Home only supports the redesigned Apple Home architecture introduced in iOS 16 and ends support for the legacy architecture.{{Cite news |last=Christoffel |first=Ryan |date=2025-05-12 |title=Apple confirms iOS 19 will end support for legacy Home app system - 9to5Mac |url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/12/apple-confirms-ios-19-will-end-support-for-legacy-home-app-system/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250516071831/https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/12/apple-confirms-ios-19-will-end-support-for-legacy-home-app-system/ |archive-date=2025-05-16 |access-date=2025-06-10 |work=9to5Mac |language=en-US}}

== Games ==

A new Games app provides an interface to games from App Store and Apple Arcade, as well as Game Center social features.{{cite web |last1=Mayo |first1=Benjamin |title=Apple unveils new Apple Games app |url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/06/09/apple-unveils-new-apple-games-app/ |website=9to5Mac |access-date=9 June 2025 |date=9 June 2025}}

== Photos ==

Amid negative user reception to its redesign on iOS 18, the user interface of the Photos app reverted back to a tab-based interface, though now only with separate "Library" and "Collections" areas. It also adds the ability for photos to be converted to "spatial photos" with a parallax-like effect.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2025-06-09 |title=Apple brings back tabs to the Photos app in iOS 26 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/09/apple-brings-back-tabs-to-the-photos-app-in-ios-26/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Alex |date=2025-06-09 |title=WWDC 2025: Apple's iOS 26 brings much-needed updates to Photos, Camera apps |url=https://mashable.com/article/apple-ios-26-camera-photos-update |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=Mashable |language=en}}

== Notes ==

The Notes app can record and transcribe calls into notes, while Markdown is added as a new export option.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=Four New Features Coming to Apple Reminders and Notes |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/09/four-features-coming-to-apple-reminders-and-notes/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}

== Maps ==

Maps will use "on-device Intelligence" to determine a user's most commonly–travelled commutes (such as travelling from home to work), allowing them to be automatically recalled, and the user to receive notifications of potential delays and alternate routes. It also adds a new "Visited Places" menu leveraging the user's location history.{{Cite web |last=Marcin |first=Tim |date=2025-06-09 |title=iOS 26 gives Apple Maps a new look and 'Visited Places' tool |url=https://mashable.com/article/apple-maps-ios-26-updates-wwdc-2025 |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=Mashable |language=en}}

== Apple Wallet ==

The Apple Wallet app adds additional functions for boarding passes, including the ability to display interior maps of the respective airport, and real-time flight information as a Live Activity. Users in the United States will also be able to add their digital passport to Wallet.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=iOS 26 brings big changes to Music, Maps, and Wallet |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/06/09/ios-26-brings-big-changes-to-music-maps-and-wallet |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=AppleInsider |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Chant |first=Tim De |date=2025-06-09 |title=Apple Wallet gains new travel-friendly features in iOS 26 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/09/apple-wallet-gains-new-travel-friendly-features-in-ios-26/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

== Accessibility ==

iOS 26 includes new accessibility features, such as Accessibility Reader for systemwide narration, Braille Access, which allows connection to braille displays, as well as updates to Live Listen, Background Sounds, Personal Voice, and more.{{cite web |title=Apple elevates the iPhone experience with iOS 26 |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/apple-elevates-the-iphone-experience-with-ios-26/ |access-date=9 June 2025 |website=Apple Newsroom}}

Supported devices

iOS 26 requires a device with an Apple A13 Bionic processor or newer, thus dropping support for the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=2025-06-09 |title=Apple drops support for just three iPhone and iPad models from iOS and iPadOS 26 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/ios-and-ipados-26-will-run-on-most-things-that-support-ios-and-ipados-18/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=Ars Technica |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-06-10 |title=iOS 26, iPadOS 26 Are Compatible With These iPhone and iPad Models |url=https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/ios-ipados-26-compatible-iphone-ipad-apple-wwdc-2025-8630859 |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=Gadgets 360 |language=en}} The Apple Intelligence feature requires an Apple A17 Pro processor or newer.{{Cite web |last=Prospero |first=Mike |date=June 10, 2024 |title=Here are the devices that will support Apple Intelligence — no older iPhones allowed |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/here-are-the-devices-that-will-support-apple-intelligence-no-older-iphones-allowed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611153848/https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/here-are-the-devices-that-will-support-apple-intelligence-no-older-iphones-allowed |archive-date=June 11, 2024 |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Tom's Guide |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=iOS 18 Preview |url=https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18-preview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610182101/https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18-preview/ |archive-date=June 10, 2024 |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=Apple |language=en-US}}

class="wikitable sortable"

!Device

!Supported

!Apple Intelligence support

iPhone 11

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone 11 Pro & 11 Pro Max

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone 12 & 12 Mini

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone 12 Pro & 12 Pro Max

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone 13 & 13 Mini

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone SE (3rd generation)

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone 14 & 14 Plus

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone 14 Pro & 14 Pro Max

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone 15 & 15 Plus

|{{Ya}}

|{{Na}}

iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max

|{{Ya}}

iPhone 16 & 16 Plus

|{{Ya}}

iPhone 16 Pro & 16 Pro Max

|{{Ya}}

iPhone 16e

|{{Ya}}

Release history

The first developer beta of iOS 26 has been released as of June 9, 2025.

class="wikitable" \|+iOS 26 Releases !Version !Build !Release date !Notes
style="background:#B0E7FF;" \| 26.0 beta 1 \|23A5260n \|June 9, 2025 \|[https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-26-release-notes iOS & iPadOS 26.0 Beta 1 Developer Release Notes] Developer beta only

class="wikitable"

|+iOS 26 Releases

!Version

!Build

!Release date

!Notes

style="background:#B0E7FF;" | 26.0 beta 1

|23A5260n

|June 9, 2025

|[https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-26-release-notes iOS & iPadOS 26.0 Beta 1 Developer Release Notes]

Developer beta only

Notes

References

External links

{{cite web |title=Apple elevates the iPhone experience with iOS 26 |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/apple-elevates-the-iphone-experience-with-ios-26/ |website=Apple Newsroom |access-date=9 June 2025}}

*26

Category:2025 software

Category:Applications of artificial intelligence

Category:Mobile operating systems

Category:Products introduced in 2025

Category:Proprietary operating systems