Here’s a closer look at what iOS 26 will bring when it’s officially released this fall. For those eager to experience it sooner, Apple has released a developer beta and plans to introduce a public beta around July.

A refreshed design across the OS

Apple is rolling out a fresh design style called “Liquid Glass” across its entire range of devices, not just the iPhone. This is influenced by the visionOS used in Apple’s Vision Pro headset and is marked by its translucent elements, which mimic real-world glass. On-screen components now feature “real-time rendering,” allowing them to interact dynamically with movement through highlights and color variations.

It seems like changes from Liquid Glass will touch just about every part of the operating system, including apps, buttons, sliders, the Control Center, and your homescreen. Tab bars will also change because of Liquid Glass, shrinking and expanding as you scroll up and down.

Messages is getting better for group chats

In Messages, iOS 26 is adding a lot of updates that could significantly improve group chats. You’ll be able to customize the background of a chat to give it more personality. To help make group decisions or get an opinion on something, you can create polls. And, at long last, Apple is adding typing indicators to group chats, which should make them feel more lively.

Some new Phone features will help you save time

Apple is taking some cues from Google by adding a call screening feature and a “Hold Assist” feature that can wait on a call for you. The company is also adding a new unified layout option that combines Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails all into one view.

Live Translation can translate calls in real time

Apple is adding an Apple Intelligence-powered feature that can translate text on your screen and translate speech back and forth in the middle of a phone call. The company is building the feature into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, and Apple says its models for Live Translation run entirely on your device for privacy.

Some small Apple Intelligence improvements

Even though we’re still waiting for Apple to announce when it will actually release its delayed improvements to Siri, iOS 26 will include some new Apple Intelligence-powered features. Visual Intelligence will let you do searches about and take action on things you see on your screen. With Genmoji, you’ll be able to combine two emoji into one. And Shortcuts will be able to use Apple Intelligence models to improve your workflows.

The new Games app is for everything about your games

Apple’s new Games app will provide a centralized hub for everything about your games on your iPhone. The Home tab shows things like updates and events in your games. The Apple Arcade tab lets you browse the company’s catalog of games on the service. The Library tab shows all of the App Store games you’ve ever downloaded. And the Play Together tab lets you see what your friends are up to.