The highly anticipated launch of iOS 26 is expected tonight from 6pm BST, and your current iPhone could be treated to a feature-packed free upgrade.
If you're not familiar, iOS 26 is the latest iPhone update created by the teams inside Apple, set to come complete with a sleek new “Liquid Glass” design, smarter Apple Intelligence features, automatic call screening, better battery management, and much more.
Apple hasn't confirmed the iOS 26 release time, but based on previous years, we'd expect to see the software update become available from 10am Pacific Time, which is 6pm in the UK.
You'll notice that Apple has jumped from iOS 18 to iOS 26, switching to a new year-based naming convention, rather than sequential version numbers. All of Apple's software is now numbered in an identical manner, with iOS 26 joining the likes of iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26 and tvOS 26.
Aside from taking advantage of the latest features, there are several benefits to be aware of when upgrading your phone to the latest software system, too. For instance, you can improve security by patching vulnerabilities, enhance performance and battery life through bug fixes and optimisations, gain new features and capabilities, and ensure app and service compatibility.
Plus, you can protect yourself from cyber threats, especially with hacking on the rise in the UK.
Before you download iOS 26 to your iPhone, there are a few steps you may need to take to get your phone fully prepped for the download to ensure there aren't any hiccups.
iCloud is built into iPhone, iPad, and macOS and used to back-up user settings, photos, videos, documents, and more | APPLE PRESS OFFICE First, you'll want to make sure you're backing up your data, such as your photos, videos, and more.
While there shouldn't be any issues in upgrading to the latest software, there have been a few reported issues in the past, so you can't be too careful.
Back up your data following these instructions:
- Connect to Wi-Fi so you don't drain your data from your mobile plan
- Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
- Tap iCloud Backup.
- Turn on Back Up This iPhone.
- Tap Back Up Now to start immediately.
Next, you'll want to look up and see if your phone has enough space to handle the upgrade. The actual size of iOS 26 hasn't been stated, but it's recommended to have anywhere between 4GB and 6GB of extra space. If you don't have this, then it might be worth deleting a few unused apps or photos to make room.
Storage for iPhone is typically handled through iCloud, which is a cloud-based storage option.
Check your storage capacity by following these instructions:
- Open Settings
- Tap General > iPhone Storage
- Wait a few seconds for it to load — your total used and available storage will appear, along with a breakdown by apps and system files.
If you're phone still needs extra room, then you can also offload some of the data onto your Mac or MacBook without having to lose anything. This can be achieved by using iTunes, which is Apple’s media software, used to buy, organise, and play music, movies, and podcasts.
Follow these steps to transfer the extra data to your computer:
- Connect the iPhone to Mac with a cable and trust the computer
- Open Finder, select your iPhone
- Click Back Up Now to save everything
- For photos / videos: open Photos app > select iPhone > click Import
- For files: in Finder’s Files tab, drag and drop
Once these are all done, you're now ready to download iOS 26. To begin updating your phone to the latest version of Apple's operating system, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update
It's worth noting that the update may take several minutes, so you may want to wait if you're expecting an important phone call, as the phone will be completely unusable until the update is complete.
iOS 26 adds the ability to make app icons clear, letting you see through to your wallpaper at all times. Dark Mode, introduced back in 2019, is also supported in the new Liquid Glass design too | APPLE PRESS OFFICE Which iPhone models can update to iOS 26?
The new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone Air will come with iOS 26 already installed. The following iPhone models will be able to upgrade to iOS 26 when it is released:
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
Not all features coming in iOS 26 will be accessible on all of these devices. For example, if you're hoping to test out the latest changes in Apple Intelligence, you'll need an iPhone 15 or newer, since these capabilities remain limited to more recent devices.
As much as possible, Apple Intelligence attempts to run on-device, so you'll need one of Apple's latest processors to be able to handle those tasks. However, three iPhone models can't download the free upgrade:
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
iPhone XS and XS Max were first released back in September 21, 2018, while iPhone XR followed one month later. That means these smartphones have been able to update to the latest-and-greatest operating system from Apple for the last 7 years. However, iOS 18 will be the final major update you'll receive.
Don't panic, though. If you own one of these iPhone models, it'll continue to work. You'll also continue to receive security updates and critical bug fixes. You just won't be treated to all the new features.
@gbnews Apple just unveiled their newest iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods at the keynote! Tech Editor Aaron Brown breaks down the announcements, top features, and what tech fans need to know before these devices hit stores. #GBNews #UKNews #Apple #iPhone #iPhone17 #LatestNews ♬ original sound - GB News
What's new in iOS 26?
New with iOS 26, Apple's on-device Artificial Intelligence (AI) models will be able to analyse the contents of your screenshots and will provide relevant information to you based on what it finds.
For example, if the feature – dubbed Visual Intelligence — spots the date and time for an event, it'll suggest adding it to your calendar. If you have a compatible iPhone model, Visual Intelligence will be accessible with a tap whenever you take a screenshot on iOS 26. Visual Intelligence can be used to scan the entire content of the screenshot, or you can outline a specific object, line of text, or area for the AI to analyse.
Third-party apps will be able to tap into this feature. For example, you could highlight a lamp that you liked in a photo online, and the etsy app on your iPhone could search its catalogue based on the screenshot.
The Reminders app also enjoys an AI boost with two new features:
- Reminders will suggest creating new tasks or grocery items based on text found anywhere on your iPhone, like Messages, emails, or even entire webpages
- The app will automatically organise tasks into categories using Apple Intelligence
You might not realise it, but Apple Wallet has long offered the ability to track online orders directly within the app. However, it wasn't widely adopted by online retailers.
To help you track more of your online orders within its digital wallet, Apple's AI will now pull order details from your email inbox without the need for merchants to specifically sign up and support this feature
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Apple is simplifying the appearance of its mobile operating system by hiding additional options behind new menus. The glass-like translucency should make it easier to navigate back to where you were | APPLE PRESS OFFICE With iOS 26 installed, Apple Wallet will let you track your delivery estimates for online orders alongside real-world purchases with location details, concert tickets, plane and train tickets, and even your current balance with supported banks.
You'll also be able to track your checked bags, use airport maps and share your flight status directly from the redesigned boarding pass.
iOS 26 brings plenty of new features to Messages, no matter what iPhone model you own. It'll now show typing indicators for every person in a group chat. You'll also be able to send polls and set custom backgrounds to your conversations and group chats, picking between a slew of preinstalled options or photos from your library.
However, if you have an iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max or newer, there are a couple of extra Apple Intelligence perks coming your way. First up, the on-device AI will suggest options for a poll in Messages based on the conversation that has taken place — if you're trying to find a date that works for everyone or a genre of movie to watch, for example.
You'll also be able to create a custom background with the Image Playground app.
Separately, Image Playground allows you to generate custom images from text descriptions, concepts, or photos from its library. The update will integrate with ChatGPT's capabilities, adding new styles such as:
- Anime
- Oil painting
- Watercolour
- Vector
If these don't meet your preferences, there's an "Any Style" option to describe the image you'd like to create.
There's plenty more to discover in iOS 26 when it starts to roll out worldwide to anyone with an iPhone 11 or newer from 6pm BST on September 15.
More From GB News