Apple has released the developer beta And some have already put it to the test to break it down The most powerful features of iOS 26This version isn't just a minor tweak; it represents a visual, functional, and intelligent leap forward that aims to change everyday iPhone habits. If you'd like to know what it includes, what you need to get the most out of it, and how to maximize its capabilities, here's the complete guide.
For now, the first beta is focused on developers and may drag some bug or unstable behaviorBut a more polished public beta is expected in a few weeks. The final version will be released with the new generation of iPhones.date and downloadAnd, be careful, because the Liquid Glass aesthetic packagingInstant translation in calls and a smarter battery mode promise to be a force to be reckoned with.
What's changing in iOS 26: Liquid Glass interface and numbering jump
The comprehensive redesign called Liquid glass transforms menus, folders, buttons, and notifications into elements translucent, reactive and layeredThis creates an animated glass effect that adapts to the background and movement. It's the biggest aesthetic change since iOS 7: more elegant and modern, although not everyone finds it equally comfortable, especially if you use busy backgrounds that make notifications difficult to read.
If you find it excessive, you can reduce it without sacrificing the new feature. You can enable it in Accessibility, under Display and Text Size. Reduce transparency And Increase Contrast, and in Motion it's worth trying Reduce Motion to smooth animations. Also included are translucent app icons and the option to choose more compact or larger icon sizes to fit everything to your liking.
In parallel, Apple aligns the numbering of its operating systems with the year and jumps directly to iOS 26. This decision aims to simplify tracking between iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS with a consistent numbering across platformsMore order on paper, and less confusion for users.
Navigation gains new gestures: in addition to the classic edge gesture, you can now Back by swiping from any side areaMany key menus move to the bottom for easier one-handed use. The Safari browser features a new floating top bar that hides while browsing; if you don't get used to it, you can choose to hide it in Settings > Apps > Safari. Compact, Up or Down for the address bar. Meanwhile, Phone adds a "Unified" design that blends favorites and recent calls in the same view, which can be switched to the classic style whenever you like.
There's more freedom on the lock screen: the clock can grow or shrink, and you can choose textures with crystal effect or solid coloriOS detects protruding elements in the photo to create an overlay effect with the time. Additionally, you can activate a 3D space scene It's essentially on-demand, which gives it a very striking look when you move the iPhone.
Barrier-free communication: AI-powered calls, FaceTime, and Messages
The star of the show is the Simultaneous translation on calls, FaceTime and MessagesYou activate the option in the call menu, choose the language, and from there, the system translates on the fly and displays a on-screen transcriptThe original voice is lowered in volume to make the translation clearer, and both parties hear both the original audio and the interpretation. It works with languages such as English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German, and it does so on the device itself to preserve the original audio. content privacyIf you're using the latest AirPods Pro, you can even hear the translation directly in the headphones.
It's not all magic without nuances: at first you'll notice a slight delay, and it's best to let the other person finish their sentence before speaking to avoid overlapping. Even so, in real-world tests, the Precision and speed are surprisingachieving that "interpreter" effect always at hand. You can also activate message translation so that, when you open a conversation with someone writing to you in another language, you'll immediately read the translated text.
In addition, the iPhone now filters calls from unknown senders with a tool that asks the caller to... Engrave your name and reasonOn the screen, you see the transcript and decide whether to answer, send a message, or let the system respond with pre-set phrases like "I'll call you back" or "Can you send me more information?" With some callers, this might seem a bit jarring at first, and there's a slight wait before the iPhone responds, but its usefulness in reducing delays is undeniable. spam and robocalls is clear.
Another practical feature is the assistant that manages calls when you're put on hold. The iPhone detects the situation and offers you assistance. put the call on hold So you can get on with what you were doing. When you're being attended to, it alerts you with a sound and a notification, and even transcribes what's being said until you return to the audio. It's simple, but it works perfectly to avoid wasting time glued to your ear.
Messages offers more control and personalization: you can automatically separate messages from strangers and configure exceptions to continue receiving things like verification codes. Custom chat backgrounds (including Playground creations), group typing indicators, and integrated polls that display in real time are also included. In groups, the app may suggest creating a poll if it detects you're organizing something.
Photos and camera: revamped organization, smarter search, and 3D effect
The Photos app is organized into two main tabs: one dedicated to all your images and videos, and another for Collections with albums, keepsakes, and suggested contentYou can rearrange that second tab to your liking to prioritize what you use most. Plus, the improved search lets you filter by portraits, screenshots, documents, trips, or events, learning from your habits to refine results without wasting time.
The "space scene" isn't limited to the lock screen. You can tap the icon in the Photos app itself. hexagon to generate a 3D effect Over an image. You'll see a few seconds of processing, and then, by tilting the iPhone, you'll get depth and movement. It's an effect meant for viewing and showing; it's not something you'd export as is, but it looks fantastic.
The camera also brings practical improvements. Modes are switched with gestures, contextual menus appear with a swipe, and if the lens is dirty, the system It displays a warning to clean the lensIt's a small feature that prevents many photos from being ruined. The integration of Apple Intelligence also adds minor contextual help that speeds up common tasks.
Screenshots become more powerful with Visual Intelligence. You take a screenshot and the iPhone suggests actions: from locating sneakers you've seen on social mediaFor example, you could ask ChatGPT for a movie synopsis or Google to identify an object. The idea is to "capture, ask, and act" in seconds, powered by the most powerful AI engines, without having to copy and paste data.
For customization enthusiasts, the lock screen continues to raise the bar. You can move the time as you please, rearrange widgets, activate animations when playing music, and force or prevent the overlay of the clock with the photo If you want a cleaner result. In the end, your iPhone says a lot about you, and this version multiplies the options.
Performance and battery: adaptive mode and Apple Intelligence everywhere
After years with the same rigid switch, the new Adaptive power mode It adjusts battery consumption in real time. If it detects a spike, it slightly reduces screen brightness or postpones non-critical tasks to extend battery life. It's designed to be always active on iPhones with recent chips, because it only activates when necessary. You can enable it in Settings > Battery > Battery Power Mode, where you'll find the Adaptive Battery Power option. Additionally, the system displays the estimated time up to 80% and 100% charging, which is very useful for getting organized.
Music also boasts new features. Apple Music can translate and show pronunciation It includes lyrics in some languages and introduces AutoMix, which seamlessly blends tracks to deliver a DJ-like experience, especially effective in electronic music. Currently, lyrics translation isn't available in all languages or across the entire catalog, but when it is, it works remarkably well.
New apps keep arriving: Games centralize your library of installed titlesAchievements, events, and access to Apple Arcade, plus a Friends section to challenge your contacts. Preview is a utility for scanning documents and converting them to PDF. edit and fill out forms or combine multiple PDFs. It's one of those apps you appreciate the day you need it.
In the realm of creativity, Genmoji and Image Playground take things to the next level. You can mix and match. two emojis or one emoji with a description To create new genmojis, change expressions (joy, surprise, and more), adjust features like hairstyles or beards, and apply styles using ChatGPT (oil painting, anime, etc.). It's a perfect field to experiment with until you find something that's truly yours.
For football fans and sports lovers, the Sports app offers results and tracking of favorite teams. Ad-free and freeIt covers national and international football leagues, and also includes sports like tennis, F1, and the NBA. You can add a widget to your home screen to keep your scores readily available.
And what about performance, camera, and battery life in the latest hardware? In the new top-of-the-line iPhones, the experience feels especially smooth, with a solid autonomy and very capable camerasSome users have noticed a slight learning curve due to interface changes, but the overall feeling is one of a clear leap forward compared to previous generations. The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max models have launched with prices starting at $1.099 and $1.199 in the United States, respectively.
Compatibility, availability, and how to install iOS 26
iOS version 26 can now be installed on a wide range of iPhones. compatible mobiles From iPhone 11 onwards. The Liquid Glass redesign is available for all these models, so many users will feel like they have a brand new phone. To install it, go to Settings > General > Software Update and choose between “Update Now” or “Update Tonight.”
The most exclusive part comes with Apple Intelligence. The functions involved real-time translation, advanced adaptive mode And other generative AI capabilities require chips with strong neural processing capabilities. The "VIP list" includes the iPhone 15 Pro and later models, such as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17. For iPad, you need a model with an M1 chip or later, and for Mac, you need a device with Apple Silicon. If you're not in that group, you'll still have a iOS 26 spectacular With a revamped design and many improvements, but you'll miss out on some star AI features.
Good news: space photos with depth effect They go further than you'd expect, reaching up to the iPhone 12. And if you only want the Liquid Glass display, you just need an iPhone 11 or later. However, translation in calls and Messages is reserved for devices compatible with Apple Intelligence due to its local processing requirements.
If you like to delve into every new feature, there are video analyses from expert creators who have broken down iOS 26 in detail, showing real tricks and tips for everyday use. It's a great way to discover nuances that are not visible at first glance and decide how to get the most out of your iPhone from the very first minute.
Practical setup and quick tricks for iOS 26
Is Liquid Glass too prominent? Go to Accessibility and enable Reduce transparency. Increase contrast To improve readability, under Motion, select Reduce Motion if the animations tire you. You can also choose translucent icons from the home screen editor and change their size.
To customize the lock screen, press and hold the background and edit: enlarge or shrink the clock, change its texture to translucent crystal or solid colorAnd decide if you want the time to overlay elements in the image. When setting a new background, tap the hexagon to activate the space scene.
On Phone, try the Unified layout to see favorites and recent items in the same view. Turn on the call filter In Settings > Apps > Phone, you can ask unknown senders for a reason and read the transcript before replying. In Messages, you can filter unknown senders, create exceptions for 2FA codes, and add custom backgrounds to your chats.
For call translation, during the conversation open the more options menu and choose Real-time translation with your preferred languages. In Safari, revert to the classic design by going to Settings > Apps > Safari and changing the location of the toolbar. In Camera, don't forget to enable the lens cleaning reminder in Settings > Camera.
If you want more autonomyEnable Adaptive Power Mode in Settings > Battery > Power Mode. Explore the new apps: Games to find everything without searching, and Preview to scan, sign, and recombine PDFs. And if you're feeling creative, experiment with Genmoji and Image Playground to mix emojis, adjust expressions, and apply AI-powered visual styles.
The set of changes in iOS 26 goes far beyond a facelift. Among them is an interface that She feels alive and coherentWith seamless communication through on-device translation, increasingly powerful automations, and practical utilities that solve real-world problems (spam, waiting, organizing photos, documents, and music), it's easy to find improvements that affect your daily life, no matter which iPhone you own. And if you have a model compatible with Apple Intelligence, you'll unlock that extra touch of "magic" that transforms your iPhone into an even more useful assistant.
