Apple just released the iOS 26 beta update, and we’ve been exploring every shiny corner of it. iOS 26 comes packed with a fresh look, smarter tools, and some very real upgrades that make using your iPhone more fun, more intuitive.
Whether you’re into aesthetics, AI, or just want better control over your day-to-day experience, this update hits all the right notes. Here’s a complete tour through the top 10 iOS 26 features.
1. The “Liquid Glass” Design Overhaul
Apple brings a fresh, modern aesthetic in iOS 26 called the Liquid Glass style.
- Everything feels alive and interactive.
- App icons shimmer with glass-like reflections.
- Menus and widgets move with subtle animations that feel buttery smooth.
- The translucent layering across screens creates depth, almost like you’re peeking through layers of polished glass.
This is the first full-on visual refresh since way back, and it’s noticeable from the moment you unlock your phone.
2. Visual Intelligence: Screenshots with a Brain
Ever taken a screenshot just to remember something and ended up scrolling back through your gallery aimlessly? That ends here.
With the new iOS 26 update, screenshots become intelligent tools thanks to built-in Visual Intelligence. Here’s what it can do:
- Identify objects in a screenshot instantly using AI.
- Search the web or images by highlighting specific parts.
- Extract event details like dates and times, and auto-suggest adding them to your calendar.
- Ask ChatGPT-style questions directly about the screenshot contents.
3. The Messages App Grows Up
This update in iOS 26 beta added some great improvements to the Messages app.
- Live translation in real-time during conversations.
- Polls for group chats
- Custom group chat backgrounds, powered by AI and Apple Intelligence
- Cleaner layout and smoother animations all around.
4. Apple Intelligence Everywhere
iOS 26 quietly places Apple Intelligence in all the right places, and it actually helps without getting in your way.
- Live translation now works in Phone, Messages, and FaceTime.
- Voicemail summaries let you read what someone said instead of playing it back.
- Smarter Reminders that sort and prioritize for you.
- Private AI that suggests actions based on context, without sending your data to the cloud unnecessarily.
5. Genmoji & Image Playground
This is where things get fun. Apple’s emoji game just got… wild.
- Genmoji lets you mix emojis together or add text to create completely new characters.
- Want a crying pizza emoji with heart eyes? Done.
- Image Playground uses Apple’s AI tools (with some help from ChatGPT-like magic) to generate images in:
- Anime
- Oil Painting
- Watercolor
- Vector
- …and more.
You can even ask for a unique art style if none of those fit. This is creativity on demand, right from your phone.
6. Lock Screen & Home Screen, Reimagined
Your iPhone’s face just got a glow-up.
- The lock screen time now slides behind your image, creating a 3D depth effect.
- Notifications shift position so they don’t block your wallpaper’s subject.
- 2D images can be auto-enhanced into 3D for lock screen use.
- On the home screen, full-glass themes and animations tie into the new Liquid Glass vibe.
It feels fresh every time you unlock, and genuinely a joy to personalize.
7. A Refined CarPlay Experience
Drivers, Apple heard you. CarPlay is cleaner, faster, and just more refined in the iOS 26 update.
- Light and dark modes based on time or your car’s settings.
- Redesigned UI with Liquid Glass aesthetics to match the main iOS theme.
- Compact notifications for calls and messages.
- Live Activities now sit next to Maps, so you can track deliveries, scores, or music without switching screens.
- Tapbacks and pinned conversations make replying safe and quick.
8. Phone App Upgrades That Matter
For an app that’s literally built around making calls, the Phone app just got a lot more interesting.
- Voicemail summaries appear right on the main screen, so you don’t need to listen.
- A cleaner layout puts Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail all in one unified view.
- Call Screening now handles unknown callers. It can answer, gather details, and let you decide if you want to talk or block.
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9. Stronger Parental Controls & Privacy Features
With the iOS 26 beta update, families get some love with smarter tools and added safety options.
- Easier setup for child accounts, with clear approval systems.
- More control over who can message, what can be downloaded, and how screen time is tracked.
- Blurred content options during FaceTime or in shared albums help avoid surprises.
- Subtle alerts and prompts for both kids and parents when something might be inappropriate.
10. Smaller Tweaks That Just Make Life Better
And finally, let’s not overlook the little things, because these details seriously improve your day-to-day.
- Keep Audio in Headphones: Stop your music from auto-jumping to nearby devices. Your headphones stay in control now.
- Satellite-Based Weather Updates: Even if you’re offline, iOS 26 can now pull weather updates from satellite signals.
- Password History Lookup: Forgot what you changed your Netflix password to last month? You can now check your past passwords directly in the Passwords app.
Final Thoughts
The iOS 26 beta update is a powerful mix of design, intelligence, and function, wrapped in one slick update. Whether it’s the upgraded visuals, smarter AI, or those thoughtful little tweaks, this beta already feels like a big leap forward.
So if you’re running the beta, dive in. Play around. There’s a lot to explore. And if you’re holding off for the public release, just know: your iPhone is about to feel brand new.
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