Apple has officially announced the launch of iOS 26, a new operating system for iPhone users. The update brings a range of enhancements, including a refreshed Liquid Glass design, an innovative lock screen, live translation features for travelers, and automatic spam call blocking.
iOS 26 also includes improvements to Messages, Mail, Photos, and the Maps app, which now recognizes users’ preferred routes. The release is expected to be a significant upgrade for iPhone owners.
While the exact launch time has not been disclosed by Apple, previous trends suggest that iOS updates typically go live around 6pm BST. To download the update, users are advised to connect to Wi-Fi as it is expected to be a large file size. Once available, users can access the update by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update on their devices.
It’s important to note that due to high demand, the installation process may take longer, especially if done on the release day. Additionally, not all iPhones are compatible with iOS 26, with models such as iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR not receiving the latest updates.
The compatible iPhone models for iOS 26 include iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation and later).
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, expressed excitement about the iOS 26 release, highlighting the new design and enhancements that aim to make the iPhone more user-friendly and efficient. The update focuses on improving daily features, providing a more personalized experience, and integrating advanced Apple Intelligence capabilities across the system to enhance user productivity.