Apple has just announced the release of its next operating system and it will offer one of the biggest changes in years.
Apple’s WWDC Developers conference has just taken place at Apple Park in Cupertino, and there are some huge changes coming to the iPhone. In fact, what’s coming later this year will offer one of the biggest upgrades in a while, including a whole new name. Yes, the rumours were true. Instead of Apple moving from iOS 18 and switching to iOS 19 – the latest and greatest operating system will be called iOS 26.
The name is aimed at making it easier to know if you have the latest update on your iPhone as it matches the year ahead eg. 2026!
It’s not just the name that’s changing. iOS 26 comes packed with new features and a completely refreshed look called Liquid Glass. This not only adds a stunning water-style appearance to menus, settings and apps but it also offer improved customisation so everyone’s devce will look unique.
As part of the overall there are bonus extras such as the home screen clock which will fluidly adapt to the available space in an image, and spatial scenes bring wallpapers to life with a 3D effect when users move iPhone.
Apple has also simplified and streamlined Camera layout , improved the Photos app and made it easier to browse websites in Safari.
Once installed, iOS 26 will add upgrades such as instant translation when speaking to someone in a foreign language. It will also make it easier to track flights, screen unwanted phone calls and message family and friends in group chats.
Some of Apple’s apps are also getting a boost with Apple Music offering Lyrics Translation which helps users understand the words to their favorite songs regardless of language.
AutoMix uses intelligence to transition from one song to the next like a DJ, using time stretching and beat matching to seamlessly move from one song to the next.
In Apple Maps, Visited Places is also being added to help users remember the places they’ve been. Users can choose to have iPhone detect when they’re at a place like a restaurant or shop, and view all of their Visited Places in Maps.
“iOS 26 shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “Experiences are more expressive and personal, from the Lock Screen and Home Screen, to new capabilities across Phone and Messages that help users focus on the connections that matter most. And with powerful new Apple Intelligence capabilities integrated across the system, users can get things done easier than ever.”
iOS 26 should arrive in September.
“New software features will be available this fall as a free software update for iPhone 11 and later,” Apple confirmed.