What is new in iOS 26?
The biggest change in iOS 26 is a visual one, with a new Liquid Glass design language producing a translucent effect that Apple says blurs the lines between hardware and software. Also new in iOS 26 are spam-filtering features such as Call Screening and a message screening feature – just one of several upgrades to the core phone functionality, which also gets text summaries for Voice Mail, Hold Assist, and Live Translation. There's a brand-new Games app, and Apple has done a lot of work to tidy and declutter the interface in apps such as the Camera. But this is just the start, with countless smaller tweaks and improvements to the iPhone operating system.
How do I update to iOS 26?
You can update a compatible iPhone by going to Settings > General > Software Update, then following the prompts. Macworld recommends backing up your iPhone before a software update. You will also need to ensure sufficient space is available on your device, and that you have plenty of battery power and are connected to a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Why is it called iOS 26 and not iOS 25?
Despite iOS 26 being released on September 15, 2025, the majority of its lifetime will be during in 2026.
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Apple has confirmed the release of iOS 26 today, September 15. Based on the company’s typical release schedule, the update is expected to be available at approximately 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PT).
Here is a breakdown of what that means for different time zones:
Eastern Time (ET): 1:00 PM
Central Time (CT): 12:00 PM
Mountain Time (MT): 11:00 AM
British Summer Time (BST): 6:00 PM
Central European Summer Time (CEST): 7:00 PM. Indian Standard Time (IST): 10:30 PM
Rollout can sometimes be staggered, so if you don’t see the update immediately, it should appear on your device shortly after the official release time.
Source: TheMacObserver