When will iOS 26 be released? Release date, compatible iPhone, features

On September 9th, Apple unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 17. TechGiant has also announced the launch of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone Air, three new Apple Watch models, the AirPods Pro 3.

In addition to the new devices, Apple has also announced the release date for iOS 26. Software updates will be available for compatible iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches starting Monday, September 15th. This update includes a new user interface design and some new AI-powered features.

Are you interested in learning more? We’ll dig deeper into what we know about iOS 26.

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When will iOS 26 be released?

According to an Apple news release, iOS 26 will be released on Monday, September 15th.

New appearance: liquid glass

One of the most notable features of iOS 26 is Liquid Glass, the new user interface design for Apple devices. The design features transparent and more fluid elements. For example, when Liquid Glass is activated, users can keep their home screen apps as normal, displaying background images to make them look translucent and modifying them.

Liquid glass also has more dynamic controls. In some apps, including Apple Music, users can change screens and features rather than swipe their fingers and tap them individually.

Liquid glass is available on eligible iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches.

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New features worth knowing

iOS 26 comes with a few other new features, including some with Apple Intelligence. Here is a breakdown of some important things:

Live Translation

Live Translation uses artificial intelligence to translate text messages, phone calls and FaceTime Calls on your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, according to the Apple website.

In the message, live translations are available in Chinese (English), English (UK and US), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain), according to Apple’s website. For phone and faceTime, this feature can translate English (UK and US), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).

The iPhone Air has been officially announced. This is the difference.

Live Translation is also available on Apple’s latest AirPods model: AirPods Pro 3. Users wearing earphones may allow live translations in the surrounding natural world. For example, if the user is traveling and is around someone who speaks a different language, the new AirPods listen to the interactions of the surroundings and translate them in near real time.

Live translation also works inversely. Users wearing the AirPods Pro 3 can speak in their native language, and earphones will be translated into the selected language via the attached iPhone’s voice or text.

New Calls and Text Features

Software updates have several new phone and text messaging features, including call screening. When a user receives a call from an unknown number, the iPhone automatically answers the caller, asking the caller for the name and reason for the call, and then translates to a user who can decide whether to receive the call. Similarly, the Messages app filters text messages from unknown numbers in different folders.

iOS 26 also has a hold assist function. According to Apple’s website, if activated, Hold Assist will keep the caller’s spot along with the live agent and notify the user when the call is ready.

Finally, iOS 26 users will have a new look voting feature in the messaging app, changing the background of their text messages to a photo or preset design in their Apple Library.

Most of these features are available on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

An intuitive map

Do you want to use Apple Maps to travel to work, school, or a common destination? With iOS 26, the app uses artificial intelligence to learn the user’s preferred routes and provides updates on delays before users crash into the road.

Apple Maps also has a new location category that highlights restaurants, shops and other destinations users have visited before.

Apple wallet passport storage

Apple wallets allow users to store digital debit and credit cards, concert tickets, plane boarding passes and more, allowing users to store passports on iOS 26.

Organize your iPad screen like a desktop with multiple windows

Most features in iOS 26 reach iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, but some devices check for their own updates, including window systems for iPads. This update allows iPad users to open several windows on their screen, just like their computer desktop.

Which Apple devices are eligible for iOS 26?

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Gretacross is a national trend reporter for USA Today. Story ideas? Please email her gcross@usatoday.com.