- iOS 26 introduces a bold new visual language with Liquid Glass, featuring dynamic icons, fluid animations, and a tactile interface that feels faster and more responsive than ever.
- Call Screening, Hold Assist, voicemail summaries, and AI-powered polls in Messages bring powerful new communication tools directly to your fingertips.
- On-device AI enables features like Live Translation, intelligent screenshot analysis, and enhanced automation with privacy-focused performance.
Apple has officially released the iOS 26 public beta. It gives iPhone users an early look at the biggest update in years. First shown at WWDC 2025, the update is now open to everyone curious about what’s coming next. It includes a smooth Liquid Glass design, smarter features, updated apps, and more ways to personalize. It shows that the iPhone is changing, both in how it looks and how it works.
iOS 26 public beta features
Liquid Glass design
The biggest change in iOS 26 public beta is the new Liquid Glass design. It’s inspired by fluid shapes and smooth movement. This new look adds:
- Refreshed icons and menus that look more dynamic and tactile
- Smoother animations that respond to your touch with more clarity and connection
- A more immersive UI that feels modern without straying from Apple’s clean aesthetic
Phone app: Smarter, simpler, more private
The Phone app in iOS 26 has a new look. It now combines Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail into one easy-to-use tab. The real upgrade comes from Apple Intelligence, which adds smart features like:
- Call Screening: Have unknown callers identify themselves before you answer.
- Hold Assist: Alerts you when a real person picks up during hold music.
- Voicemail Summaries: Quick AI-generated text overviews of messages.
- Unknown Caller Filtering and SharePlay support during calls


Messages gets personal and powerful
The Messages app in iOS 26 feels more social, customizable, and useful than ever:
- Custom Chat Backgrounds using photos, default themes, or AI-generated art
- Polls with real-time results for group chats
- Spam detection, group typing indicators, and Apple Cash support
- New “Add Contact” button for effortless saving
- Overhauled search, selection tools, and info panel for better usability
Camera and Photos: Faster, smarter, more personal
Camera app
- Intuitive swipes unlock more settings
- Lens cleaning reminders
- AirPods-based controls: Snap photos or record video by pressing the stem
Photos app
- Adjustable view density
- Spatial photo browsing with depth effects
- Rich event metadata for your pictures
Apple Music and CarPlay get updated
Apple Music features
- AutoMix: AI-powered seamless transitions between songs
- Lyric translations and pronunciation guides
- Pin your favorite playlists, artists, and songs in your Library
CarPlay updates
- Updated Liquid Glass visuals with new icons
- Live Activities and call banners
- Add widgets like Weather and Calendar from your iPhone
- Smart Display Zoom, Tapback support, and even video playback (optional)
Apple Games app: A new hub for mobile gamers
New in iOS 26 public beta, the Apple Games app serves as a central hub for:
- All your App Store games
- Leaderboards and challenges
- Easy access from your Home Screen
Apple Maps: Smarter navigation that learns from you
iOS 26 makes Apple Maps even more intuitive:
- Preferred Routes, learns your travel habits and suggests optimal paths
- Visited Places privately logs locations like restaurants or stores for easy sharing or revisits, no active navigation required
Apple Intelligence: The brain behind the brilliance
At the core of iOS 26’s public beta is Apple Intelligence, a built-in AI system that works across the device and puts privacy first. Key features include:
- Visual Intelligence: Scan screenshots to create events, search apps, or send info to ChatGPT
- Live Translation: Real-time audio/text translation in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages—on-device and private
- Shortcuts with new intelligent automation like “Use Model” to process data with AI
- Genmoji and Image Playground updates: Mix emojis, create styles, and express emotion with AI-enhanced images
- Smart background generation, reminder categorization, and order tracking in Wallet
Note: These advanced features are only available on newer models like iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, and devices with M1 or A17 Pro chips.
Related
iOS 26 public beta: Availability and supported devices
The iOS 26 public beta is now available through the Apple Beta Software Program. It supports iPhone 11 and later, though some features require newer devices.
Apple Intelligence is supported in:
- iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 16 series
- iPads with A17 Pro or M1 and later
- Macs with Apple Silicon (M1+)
Supported Languages include English, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese, with more to come by the end of 2025.