Apple released iOS 26 on September 16, 2025, and it is packed with exciting updates. The newest software refresh focuses on smarter communication, deeper personalization, and improved privacy. Whether you want more control over who can reach you, a more dynamic iPhone interface, or AI-powered upgrades to Siri and Messages, iOS 26 delivers a noticeable step forward.
Note: If you open Software Update in Settings, you may also see an option to install iOS 18.7, which is a security update for those who want to stay on the previous version a little longer. This can be helpful if you prefer to wait and see how a major release performs before upgrading.
Compatible iPhones
According to Apple’s website, the phones listed below are compatible with iOS 26.
- iPhone SE (second generation or later)
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e
- iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max
- iPhone Air
If your iPhone is on this list, you can install iOS 26 by going to Settings > General > Software Update and following the on-screen instructions.
Why Upgrade Now
Apple spent the summer testing iOS 26 during its beta program, so most major bugs have already been fixed. As expected, a quick follow-up update—iOS 26.0.1—was released on September 29 to address early issues, improve performance, and fix stability problems. If you are ready to try the new Liquid Glass design and all the other upgraded features, now is a great time to update.
Design and Liquid Glass
One of the biggest highlights of iOS 26 is the debut of Liquid Glass, Apple’s new design language that blends beauty and function. Liquid Glass creates a translucent, adaptive look that responds to light and dark environments, making your iPhone feel more vibrant and immersive. Buttons, sliders, app icons, and widgets all take on this new clear, fluid appearance, giving the interface a sense of depth and motion. Apple says the material reflects and refracts its surroundings to bring greater focus to your content while staying instantly familiar to longtime iPhone users. The design also extends to system areas like the Lock Screen, Home Screen, Control Center, and notifications. You can even choose from different Liquid Glass styles, switch between modes, and return to regular icons anytime which gives you more control over how your iPhone looks and feels.
How to Turn on Liquid Glass
Getting started with Liquid Glass is simple. Open Settings > Wallpaper & Display > Appearance, then select Liquid Glass from the available options. From here, you can choose your preferred style, preview how it looks on both the Lock Screen and Home Screen, and switch between light and dark adaptive modes. Once applied, the effect will automatically update across app icons, widgets, and system menus. If you ever want to return to the classic look, just go back to the same menu and switch to the standard appearance.
Communication & Call Management
iOS 26 makes it easier than ever to stay connected while avoiding interruptions. Call Screening automatically answers unknown callers and asks them to state their name and reason for calling before your phone rings. You can then decide whether to pick up. New Screening Tools let you approve unknown numbers, detect spam, and control who appears in your Messages, Phone, and FaceTime apps. Hold Assist can wait on hold for you and alert you when a live agent is ready to talk. Messages also include new ways to engage with friends. You can create polls in group chats so everyone can vote on decisions in real time. Plus, you can personalize any conversation by adding a background from Apple’s collection or by using one of your own photos.
Apple Intelligence
iOS 26 makes your iPhone even smarter with expanded Apple Intelligence, helping you communicate across languages, create personalized images, and streamline daily tasks. Live Translation works in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, so you can read translated texts, see live captions, and hear spoken translations during calls. When using AirPods, responses in a different language are automatically translated and spoken in a natural voice. Visual intelligence also lets you interact with content on your screen more efficiently. You can search across apps, add events to your calendar, and ask questions to get instant answers. Creativity gets a boost with Image Playground and Genmoji, letting you mix emojis and descriptions to generate new images inspired by family and friends. Shortcuts now integrate Apple Intelligence, enabling you to summarize text, create images, and tap directly into Apple’s models to automate workflows and get more done with fewer steps.
Photos, Camera, and Journaling Enhancements
iOS 26 introduces updates across Photos, Camera, and Journal to make capturing, organizing, and reflecting on your life easier and more intuitive. The Photos app features an updated design that simplifies switching between your Library and Collections. You can now customize how Collections appear by reordering them, pinning favorites, and choosing from three display sizes: larger tiles, a denser grid, or a layout that highlights the top row.
The Camera app also gets a streamlined interface, putting Photo and Video modes front and center for quick access while keeping other modes just a swipe away. Camera controls are grouped together on-screen, making it easier to adjust settings on the fly and capture exactly the shot you want.
Journal lets you create multiple journals for different parts of your life. You can include drawings in line with your text and even view entries on a map based on location. This makes reflecting on your experiences more interactive and visually engaging.
Finally, the Preview app is now available on iPhone, allowing you to view, edit, and share PDF documents and images. You can scan documents directly in Preview, use Autofill to quickly complete forms, and export files in different formats or sizes, making it a versatile tool for work and personal organization.
More Features to Explore
iOS 26 brings a wide range of updates beyond what we’ve covered here. From improvements in CarPlay and Apple Pay to enhanced accessibility tools and smarter notifications; there are many ways this update can make your iPhone more useful and enjoyable. To see a full breakdown of all the new features and updates, check out Apple’s official support page here.
Quick Tip Before Updating: Make sure you have enough storage and battery since updates need both. Also, connect to Wi-Fi so you don’t use up your mobile data.
With iOS 26, your iPhone becomes smarter, more personal, and even more fun to use. At Twigby Mobile, we make it easy to take full advantage of these new features with affordable cell phone service on the nation’s largest and most reliable network. Select your plan to fit your needs and enjoy everything iOS 26 has to offer without compromise. Check out our plans here and start exploring your iPhone in a whole new way, or checkout our selection of iPhones here.