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iOS 26 release date: When will the exciting feature come out, features, compatibility and more explained!

Apple recently introduced IOS 26 this year and here’s what we know so far

By Bhavya Rai
Apple's iOS 26
Apple's iOS 26
Image Credits - The Shortcut

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The tech giant has announced its next big iPhone update, iOS 26, and people are seriously excited. Trust Apple to shake things up again.  They first revealed it during their big yearly event, WWDC 2025, where they talk about all the new stuff coming to Apple devices. The only thing everyone’s still wondering is: when exactly is it coming out?

At the event, Susan Prescott, one of Apple’s top leaders who works with app creators, said something pretty important. She explained that app developers (the people who make the apps we use every day) are super important because they help create the cool and useful experiences we all love on Apple products. With this new update, Apple is giving developers even better tools, like built-in smart features powered by “Apple Intelligence” and a new version of their app-making program called Xcode 26, to help them create apps that feel smarter, smoother, and more helpful.

Apple also said that the new software will be rolled out across all its main devices,

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not just iPhones, but also iPads (iPadOS 26), Macs (macOS Tahoe 26), Apple Watches (watchOS 26), and Apple TVs (tvOS 26). Even though the updates are packed with new features, Apple promises they’ll still feel familiar to use, so nothing will be too confusing or totally different.

One of the big tech upgrades they’re adding is something called the “Foundation Models framework.” It’s a fancy way of saying that app makers can now build smarter apps that can think a bit like AI tools (similar to ChatGPT). And Xcode 26 (Apple’s tool for building apps) will now have features that let developers use powerful language models to help them write code faster and smarter, kind of like having a really smart assistant sitting next to them.

Want to know more about when iOS 26 is coming out, what new features it’ll include, and how it’ll make your iPhone even better? Keep reading, there’s a lot to look forward to.

iOS 26 release date

Apple hasn’t said the exact date yet, but according to many tech sources, the iOS 26 update will probably be released worldwide sometime in September 2025. So if you’re an iPhone user, you can likely expect the update to pop up on your phone around that time. Just a few more months to go!

 

iOS 26 features

Apple says the new Xcode 26 (which is a tool that app developers use to build apps) comes with smart new features to help developers turn their creative ideas into actual working apps. It now allows them to connect powerful AI models, basically computer programs that can understand and generate human-like language, into their coding process.

Apple also mentioned on its website that Xcode 26 now includes built-in support for ChatGPT, so developers can use it directly while they work. Plus, they have the option to use other AI tools too, by adding API keys, which are like special access passes from other companies. If they have a Mac with Apple’s own chip (called Apple Silicon), they can even run these AI tools right on their computer without needing the internet. This means developers get to pick whichever AI tool works best for their specific needs.

What is the Apple Liquid Glass look?

Along with the big iOS 26 update, Apple also revealed a cool new feature that’s all about how your iPhone looks. They’re adding a new “clear” screen style, this means your app icons will look kind of see-through and shiny, almost like they’re made of glass. It gives the phone a sleek, futuristic vibe that many users will probably love.

And it’s not just the iPhone getting a visual makeover. Apple’s latest computer update, called MacOS Tahoe 26, is also stepping up its look. On Macs, the dock (that row of app icons at the bottom), sidebars, and toolbars will now look more glossy and reflective, making the whole interface feel brighter and more polished. Basically, everything’s getting a cleaner, fancier feel to match Apple’s signature stylish design.

Apple iOS 26 supported devices

Apple is making sure that a wide range of iPhones can enjoy the new iOS 26 update. So, if you’ve bought an iPhone in the last few years, chances are—you’re good to go!

Here’s a list of the iPhones that are expected to work with iOS 26:

  • All the latest iPhone 17 models – including the regular, Pro, Pro Max, and the new “Air” version

  • The entire iPhone 16 series

  • All phones from the iPhone 15, 14, 13, and 12 lineups

  • The iPhone SE – as long as it’s the 2nd generation or newer

If you’re using an iPhone 11 or anything older, unfortunately, iOS 26 might not support it. That’s because Apple wants to make the new software run as smoothly as possible, and that means focusing on newer phones with stronger processors and better hardware.

 

How to Download and Install iOS 26

Once Apple officially releases iOS 26 to everyone, updating your iPhone will be really easy. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  1. Open your Settings app.

  2. Tap on General.

  3. Select Software Update.

  4. You’ll see the iOS 26 update there. Tap Download and Install.

  5. Put in your passcode when it asks.

  6. Just follow the instructions on your screen and you’re done.

The whole thing usually takes a few minutes, and your phone will restart once the update is complete.

If you’re super excited and don’t want to wait for the official release, Apple lets people test iOS 26 early through its Beta Software Program. You can sign up for free on Apple’s website.

How is iOS 26 different from iOS 18?

Apple’s new iOS 26 update is all about the little things that make your iPhone feel more modern and smooth. One big change? The dock and the search bar above it now look more transparent, kind of like a piece of shiny glass. You can even see a little of your wallpaper through them, and they have glossy, glowing edges. In the previous version, iOS 18, these areas looked darker and more solid, so this new look feels much lighter and more stylish.

Apple also made small but noticeable changes to the app icons. They look a little bigger and bolder, and some icons, like Settings, Camera, and Mail, have been redesigned more clearly than others. It’s not a full makeover, but just enough to make your screen feel fresher and more updated.

Another cool thing Apple did was improve the unlocking animation. When you unlock your iPhone in iOS 26, it feels like you’re actually lifting up a sheet of glass from the screen. As you swipe up with your finger, a shiny edge appears, adding a fancy visual effect that makes the phone feel more alive.

Apple even worked on the clock on your lock screen. In iOS 26, the digital clock can change its size automatically depending on how many notifications you have and what kind of wallpaper you’re using. It adjusts itself to stay clear and visible without looking weird. That’s a step up from iOS 18, where you could only change how the clock looked, not its size, and it stayed the same no matter what.

Apple has added something new to iOS 26 called dynamic tab bars, and they’re pretty smart. These are the little bars with icons at the bottom of your screen that help you move around inside apps. In iOS 26, these bars change and adjust based on what you’re doing. For example, if you’re scrolling through a page, the tab bar might hide itself to give you more space. But if you’re about to click or do something, it’ll reappear to help you out quickly.

In older versions like iOS 18, those bars were always stuck in one place, which sometimes made you tap through multiple menus just to find what you needed. Now, with iOS 26, the tab bar responds more naturally to you, making apps feel easier to use and cutting down on all that extra tapping.

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