Apple has officially announced the upcoming release of iOS 26 during its WWDC Developers Conference, unveiling a host of new features for iPhone users. The update will bring a fresh design, enhanced messaging capabilities, and improvements to popular apps like Apple Music, Apple Maps, and Wallet. Notable additions include the ability to customize chat backgrounds and automatic blocking of unwanted calls.
One of the standout features of iOS 26 is its real-time conversation translation and the introduction of a new Games app for added entertainment on the device.
Scheduled for a September launch, iOS 26 will only be compatible with iPhone 11 models and newer. This means that older devices running iOS 18 will not be able to upgrade to the latest version.
Owners of iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR will need to upgrade to iPhone 11 or newer models to access all the latest features offered by iOS 26. Apple has confirmed that iOS 26 will be available as a free software update for iPhone 11 and newer models in the fall.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, highlighted the new design and feature enhancements in iOS 26, emphasizing its user-friendly improvements and enhanced personalization options.
Overall, iOS 26 promises a more intuitive and personalized user experience, with new capabilities across various functions to streamline tasks and enhance connectivity.