Apple’s iOS 26 is officially available starting Monday, September 15th, bringing a important visual overhaul and a host of new features to iPhones. The update marks a broad design shift for Apple’s ecosystem, extending to iPadOS 26, macOS tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26.
The most prominent change is “Liquid Glass,” a new design language characterized by a glassy sheen and translucent elements throughout the operating system. Buttons and search bars now offer a subtle view of the content behind them, creating a layered visual effect. Early beta versions of Liquid glass presented legibility challenges,especially within Control Center,but Apple refined the aesthetic through subsequent releases.
Beyond the visual refresh,iOS 26 introduces several new capabilities. Users can now leverage Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence, experience a redesigned Phone app, and utilize call screening features. The Messages app receives updates including poll creation and customizable chat backgrounds, and a dedicated Games app is now included.
