- Released Monday, September 15th and RC now available for beta testers
- Compatible: iPhone 11 and SE (2nd gen.) and later; iPhone 17 and Air come standard.
- Apple Intelligence is limited to iPhone 15 Pro or later
- Liquid Glass, improvements to Phone, Messages, Camera, Music, Safari, and more
After months of testing and several beta stages, iOS 26 is now ready for general deployment and will mark a turning point for the iPhone, with Change of visual language, new features and more control in the system.
The update introduces the Liquid Glass design, communications improvements, and a commitment to Apple's AI that seeks to maintain privacy as a flag, all in one delivery that will reach a wide range of models and that prepares the ground for the next generation of devices.
When is iOS 26 released for everyone?
With the Release Candidate version already in circulation, Apple has set the stable release for Today, Monday, September 15thAs usual, the deployment will be phased by region and you may notice availability throughout the evening.
The OTA download is expected to appear in Settings starting in the afternoon in Spain, although the pace of the servers during the first few hours it may slow down the installation if you decide to update right after exiting.
Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 26?
iOS 26 maintains support in a wide range: from iPhone 11 and SE (2nd gen.) onwards. Besides, the new iPhone 17 and iPhone Air will arrive with iOS 26 pre-installed from day one.
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
- 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
It is worth noting that Apple Intelligence is not available on all Models compatible with iOS 26: Higher-end features require at least an iPhone 15 Pro or later for processor and memory requirements.
Which iPhones won't be updated to iOS 26?
Apple closes support cycle for A12 chip generation: iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max won't make the jump to iOS 26 and will remain on iOS 18 as a major version.
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
Other older models had already been stuck in previous versions (for example, iPhone X, 8, and 8 Plus stopped on iOS 16), so they remain out of this round. Even so, Apple usually release security patches for older branches for a while, something to keep in mind if you're still running iOS 18 on those devices.
Design changes and notable features
The big star is, a new visual language with transparencies, shadows and volume that unifies the experience across apps, menus, widgets, and the lock screen.
Icons can be set in four styles: color classics, dark mode, tinted and a translucent variant that fully embraces the Liquid Glass philosophy.
The goal is for the interface to adapt to the content, with less intrusive controls and animations consistent with the rest of the house's platforms.
Apple Intelligence in iOS 26
Apple's own AI opens the door to developers through Foundation Models Framework, APIs for easily integrating local models into third-party applications.
Already known capabilities are polished, such as Visual Intelligence, Genmoji and Image Playground, now also available in Shortcuts to automate creative and productivity workflows.
Regarding Siri, Apple is cautious: there are no firm dates for this version. And remember, High-level AI features are limited to iPhone 15 Pro and successors.
Communications and privacy
The Phone app identifies the minutes of waiting in switchboards and notifies you when your call is picked up, as well as offering voice-to-text translation for calls with other languages.
A advanced call filter to reduce spam, although Business Caller ID only operates in the United States and with businesses registered there.
In Messages, you can customize chat backgrounds, create group surveys and translate conversations instantly. The system reinforces the alerted of suspicious SMS to avoid scams.
FaceTime takes advantage of the new design to show interlocutors in full screen, relegating controls to the side when necessary. There are also real-time translation subtitles.
Updated apps and services
Apple Music premieres AutoMix, AI-powered transitions between songs DJ-style, and a lock screen that supports full-screen animations of the artists.
The camera renews its interface to clear the view and change modes with a gesture, prioritizing Photo and Video and leaving the rest a quick swipe away.
Safari reduces the address bar and allows hide it to view the website in full screenLess distractions, more content.
Sum maps Visited Places, a private location history to easily remember sites you have visited.
Preview comes to iPhone, the classic macOS viewer for open and edit images or PDFs without leaving the system.
Games groups third-party games and Apple Arcade, as well as game mode settings and Game Center profiles.
AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 receive Voice Isolation for recordings and calls, and a remote control for the camera from the stem to take photos or start videos.
The ecosystem is also gaining momentum: there are improvements in Shortcuts, Integrated Wallet in Live Activities, accessibility updates (Braille Access, Live Listening, Background Sounds, and Personal Voice), and the revamped CarPlay experience.
How to install iOS 26 on your iPhone
Before updating, it is advisable Free up space, charge your iPhone, and back up (in iCloud or on your computer) in case you need to go back.
- Open Settings > General > Software Update.
- Wait for the system to detect iOS 26 and press Update now.
- Leave the iPhone connected to Wi-Fi and with sufficient battery until it ends.
If you participate in the beta program, You can install the Release Candidate from the same menu by activating Beta UpdatesFor all other users, the stable OTA will appear on launch day.
Why is it called iOS 26?
Apple has aligned the numbering of its systems with the period in which they will have the greatest lifespan. Thus, iOS 26 syncs with the year of its main lifespan and shares its number with iPadOS, watchOS, macOS and the rest of the platforms.
This helps to avoid confusion among users and unify ecosystem communication, even if it means skipping traditional version sequences.
With a date already set, wide compatibility, and a handful of practical changes, iOS 26 arrives as a major overhaul of the iPhone: new design with Liquid Glass, improvements in communications and key apps, and an AI that is growing cautiously and, due to its power, The most advanced is reserved for recent iPhones.
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