iOS 26 Arrives Today: What to Expect

Get ready to see your iPhone in a new light. Today, Apple will begin rolling out iOS 26, one of its most anticipated software updates in years. While the annual refresh always brings new tricks, this year’s release is really a tale of two updates: a beautiful and universal design overhaul, and a powerful new suite of AI features that signals a new chapter for the iPhone—if you have the right device.

For everyone with a compatible iPhone, the most immediate change will be the look and feel. Dubbed "Liquid Glass," Apple's new design language will trade the flat, opaque elements of recent years for a translucent, layered aesthetic. Users can expect a more fluid and responsive system where notifications, widgets, and app interfaces have a subtle depth that makes content stand out. The update also promises more personalization than ever, with new ways to customize app icons and a redesigned Photos app aimed at taming your sprawling camera roll.

But the centerpiece of iOS 26 is undoubtedly "Apple Intelligence," the company’s formal entry into the on-device AI race. Prioritizing user privacy by processing data directly on the phone, these features are designed to be seamlessly integrated into your daily habits.

Imagine carrying on a conversation in Messages or over a phone call with someone who speaks another language, with "Live Translation" handling the interpretation in real-time. Or picture taking a screenshot of a poster and tapping the date to instantly create a calendar event, no typing required. These are the kinds of practical, context-aware tasks Apple Intelligence aims to simplify.

However, here’s the crucial detail everyone will be talking about today: not all features are for all users. While the iOS 26 operating system itself will run on devices as old as the iPhone 11, the marquee "Apple Intelligence" features will require an iPhone 15 Pro or a newer model, like the just-announced iPhone Air. Owners of older devices will get the sleek new design and other core improvements—like enhanced CarPlay views and a spam-fighting call screener—but the most transformative AI tools will remain exclusive to Apple's latest hardware.

As Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief, put it during the initial reveal, the goal is to make the iPhone “even more helpful” and allow users to “get things done easier than ever.”

When the update becomes available today, it will represent more than just a new look and some clever features. It’s Apple drawing a line in the sand, charting a future where the smartest iPhone experiences are intrinsically linked to its most powerful hardware.

To check for the update later, navigate to your iPhone’s Settings > General > Software Update.