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We're just a few hours from the release of iOS 26.
This blockbuster free update will unlock the brand-new Liquid Glass design, which Apple calls its "broadest software design update ever", real-time translation in text messages and calls, an entirely new Phone app, a new spatial effect when viewing photographs from your library, an Apple Games app, call screening, and more.
There's a lot packed into this update, and if you want to be one of the first to get your hands on the new look and new preinstalled apps, like Apple Games, mark your calendar for 6pm BST tonight (September 15).
Yes, Apple usually flips the switch on major upgrades to iOS around 10am PST at its spaceship-like headquarters in Cupertino, California. Converted to UK time, that means iPhone owners will usually be able to to start downloading the new iOS update around 6pm BST on release day.
Apple hasn't confirmed the iOS 26 release time, but previous software launches back up this timing. For example, iOS 17 and iOS 18 were both rolled out at 10am PT / 6pm BST on their respective release days.
It can take some time for the new version of iOS to become available around the world, so it might not immediately appear on your iPhone at 6pm precisely. With millions of device owners trying to download the new software from Apple's servers, it might take a few moments before it's available for you.
Head to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone to check if iOS 26 is available to download and install. If you can't see the new operating system yet, pull down to refresh. This kickstarts a fresh check from your iPhone, so it's worth doing a few times after 6pm tonight to see if iOS 26 is now available.
However, some iPhone owners won't be able to download iOS 26 at all.
Yes, if you're reading this article on an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR — we've got some bad news. You will need an iPhone 11 or newer to upgrade to iOS 26 when it launches in a few hours.
iOS 26 brings a new design to the Phone app, unifying Recent Calls and Favourites into a single tab
|APPLE PRESS OFFICE
But if you own any of the following handsets, you'll miss out:
- 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. If you own one of these iPhone models, it'll continue to work.
Get unlimited data for 'lowest ever price' with brand-new iPhone Air on Sky Mobile
The iPhone Air is so thin that it's only compatible with eSIM, making room for more battery and setup much easier. Since eSIM is built directly into the new iPhone, you'll be able to get started with your phone number and data plan as soon as the device lands through your letterbox.
iPhone Air doesn't release in the UK until September 19, but Sky Mobile is already offering the ultra-slim handset with its "lowest ever price" for an unlimited 5G data allowance. For £19 a month, you'll also benefit from unlimited calls and texts too
iPhone Air (256GB)
$32
You'll also continue to receive security updates and critical bug fixes. However, the exciting new features showcased in the keynote won't be coming to your device.
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)
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. It's these new releases that bring the new Liquid Glass design.
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 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.
Visual Intelligence can be used to scan a portion of the screenshot. iOS apps installed on your iPhone can tap into this new feature, searching their own catalogues for items highlighted in the screenshot | APPLE PRESS OFFICE 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.
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.
Boarding Passes enjoy a completely new design in Wallet, letting you track your checked bags, check the facilities in the airport from an embedded map, and share your flight status with friends and family
|APPLE PRESS OFFICE
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.
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