iOS 26, announced at WWDC 2025, introduces a major overhaul to the iPhone experience with a new design language called Liquid Glass, enhanced Apple Intelligence features, and significant updates to core apps. Below is a comprehensive list of features based on available information from web sources and posts on X.
Note that some features, particularly those requiring Apple Intelligence, are limited to supported devices (iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 series, iPad mini with A17 Pro, and iPad/Mac models with M1 or later). Features may also vary by region due to local regulations, such as EU restrictions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Design and User Interface
• Liquid Glass Design: A major visual overhaul, the first since iOS 7 in 2013, featuring translucent, glass-like menus, buttons, and app interfaces with rounded corners and a sense of depth. Elements dynamically morph, resize, or refract background content for a fluid, expressive experience. Supports light, dark, and a new “all-clear” mode for a semitransparent look.
• Lock Screen: Time adapts to wallpaper, expanding or shrinking to fit behind subjects for a depth effect. Notifications shift to avoid blocking the subject.
• Home Screen: App icons and widgets have layered Liquid Glass effects, with options for normal, tinted, or clear appearances.
• Control Center: Redesigned with a grid of tiles, refined in beta 2 to reduce transparency for better readability.
• Accessibility Option: A “Reduce Transparency” toggle in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size makes interfaces more opaque while retaining the glassy aesthetic.
• Dynamic Wallpapers: New default wallpapers (Halo, Dusk, Sky, Shadow) with unique color variations in Dark Mode and three blue-tone options plus a purple shade.
• Spatial Scenes: Lock screen wallpapers can generate 3D effects, adding depth as you move the iPhone. Recognizes depth in photos and even video game key art.
Apple Intelligence Features
Apple Intelligence is deeply integrated, with privacy-focused on-device processing or secure cloud computing. These features require supported devices and specific language settings (English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (simplified), with more languages like Danish, Dutch, and others by late 2025).
• Live Translation: Automatically translates incoming text messages, group chats, Phone calls, and FaceTime calls into the user’s preferred language. FaceTime includes live captions while preserving the speaker’s voice.
• Visual Intelligence: Enhanced capabilities to analyze images and screenshots:
• Screenshots: Options to add events to Calendar, search for similar images (via Google, Etsy, or other apps), or identify objects/products.
• Camera Integration: Identifies businesses, captures event details from posters, or zooms in via Continuity Camera with a Mac.
• Reminders: Suggests tasks, grocery items, and follow-ups based on emails or text. Automatically categorizes related reminders into sections.
• Genmoji and Image Playground: Create custom emojis by modifying existing ones (e.g., adjusting hair length, accessories, expressions). Image Playground allows AI-generated images.
• Shortcuts: New intelligent actions for creating powerful automation workflows.
• Battery Intelligence: AI-powered battery management provides estimated time to full charge or pre-set limits (e.g., 80%).
Core App Updates
• Phone App:
• Unified Layout: Combines Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails into one screen.
• Call Screening: Extends Live Voicemail to ask unknown callers for their name and reason, displaying details for the user to accept or ignore.
• Hold Assist: Detects on-hold music, holds the call, and notifies the user when a live agent is available.
• Messages:
• Spam and Unknown Sender Filtering: Messages from unknown senders go to a dedicated folder, where users can mark as known, request more info, or delete. Spam and unknown senders are separate categories.
• Custom Backgrounds: Set dynamic or custom backgrounds for group chats, syncing across devices unless toggled off.
• Polls: Create polls with up to 12 options in chats, with Apple Intelligence suggesting polls when relevant.
• Group Chat Enhancements: Supports typing indicators, Apple Cash transactions, and adding non-contacts to Contacts.
• Natural Language Search: Improved search functionality.
• Copy/Paste: Select specific parts of a message to copy via a new “Select” option.
• Live Translation: Automatically translates incoming messages.
• Camera:
• Simplified Interface: Toggles for photo/video modes, swipe for panoramas or spatial recording, and easy access to advanced settings (FPS, resolution).
• Dirty Lens Detection: Notifies users to clean the camera lens if dirty.
• AirPods Integration: AirPods 4 and Pro 2 can act as a remote shutter (press stem to take a photo or hold for video). Supports high-definition recording and studio-quality audio for calls/videos.
• Cinematic Mode API: Allows third-party apps to capture Cinematic mode video.
• Photos:
• Redesigned Layout: Reintroduces Library and Collections tabs for easier navigation, addressing iOS 18 complaints.
• 3D Effects: Converts 2D photos into 3D for lock screen wallpapers.
• Apple Music:
• AutoMix: Uses AI for seamless song transitions with time stretching and beatmatching.
• Lyrics Translation: Displays translated lyrics and pronunciations.
• Animated Album Art: On the lock screen.
• Karaoke Mode: Use iPhone as a microphone for Apple Music on Apple TV, with emoji reactions and track selection.
• Maps:
• Visited Places: Tracks and saves locations you’ve visited for later recall (not available in the EU due to DMA regulations).
• Route Intelligence: Learns regular routes, alerts for delays, and suggests alternates.
• Fog Advisories: Available with offline maps.
• Wallet:
• Digital ID: Create a digital ID using a U.S. passport, usable at TSA checkpoints, apps, or in-person.
• Order Tracking: Scans emails/receipts (including non-Apple Pay) to track orders, showing placed, shipped, or delivered status.
• Search Feature: Quickly find cards, tickets, or digital keys.
• Safari:
• Redesigned Interface: Navigation bars are less transparent for legibility. Folder interface tweaks.
• Bottom Navigation: Toolbar buttons moved back to the bottom in beta 2 after user feedback.
• FaceTime:
• Communication Safety: Detects nudity, pauses video/audio, and offers options to continue or end the call. A child safety feature using on-device detection.
• Live Translation: Provides real-time captions.
• Apple Games App: A new app for discovering and playing games, with recommendations, leaderboards, and friend competitions. Integrates Apple Arcade titles.
• Apple News+: Adds an Emoji Game for U.S./Canada subscribers, joining Crossword, Crossword Mini, Quartiles, and Sudoku.
• Weather via Satellite: View weather forecasts without Wi-Fi or cellular, not yet live in beta 1.
• Low Power Mode: Updated description details reduced background activity, processing speed, display refresh rate, brightness, 5G, iCloud syncing, and mail fetch.
• Custom Ringtones: Set without using GarageBand. New “Alt 1” ringtone under Reflection category.
Accessibility and Parental Controls
• Braille Experience: A new interface designed for Braille users.
• Vehicle Motion Cues: Additional options to reduce motion sickness.
• Child Accounts: Easier to set up with enhanced parental controls for Communication Limits, Communication Safety, and App Store restrictions.
• Reading Experience: More customizable settings.
CarPlay
• Liquid Glass Design: Matches iOS 26’s aesthetic with light/dark modes.
• Widgets and Live Activities: Sync from iPhone, showing flight timers, deliveries, etc., without blocking directions.
• Compact Call View: Incoming calls don’t obscure navigation.
• CarPlay Ultra: Design overhaul for select premium models.
Screenshots and Screen Recordings
• HEIF/HEVC Formats: Screenshots use HEIF, and recordings use HEVC for higher dynamic range, matching iPhone camera formats. Enable in Settings > General > Screen Capture.
• Visual Intelligence Actions: Add events to Calendar, search for similar images, or identify objects.
Other Features
• Device Compatibility: Supports iPhone 11 (2019) and newer, including iPhone SE (2nd Gen). Excludes iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max.
• Battery Charging Info: Shows time to reach full charge or set limits.
• Passkey Sign-in: Redesigned interface.
• Save Call Transcripts: Replaces Live Captions, with a tone warning participants of transcription.
• iPhone Restore: Restore without a separate computer (introduced in beta 2).
• Wi-Fi and Connectivity: Brighter colors for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and Cellular toggles in Control Center. Auto-connect to captive portals after initial login.
Regional Limitations
• EU Restrictions: Features like Visited Places in Maps are delayed due to DMA regulations. Other features may also be affected.
Beta and Release Information
• Developer Beta: Available since June 2025, with beta 3 released July 8, 2025.
• Public Beta: Expected in July 2025.
• Official Release: Scheduled for September 16, 2025, alongside iPhone 17 series.
• Advanced Siri: Delayed to iOS 26.2 in March 2026.
Notes
• Some features, especially Apple Intelligence, require specific hardware and language settings, limiting availability.
• Beta features may change or be refined before the final release.
• User feedback on X highlights mixed reactions to the Liquid Glass design, with some praising its beauty and others finding it less readable or overly padded.
• Always back up data before installing betas, as they may be unstable.
This list covers the major and minor features of iOS 26 based on current information. For the latest updates, check Apple’s official site or join the beta program.