Apple confirmed at its 2025 Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) on Monday that its new working system can be referred to as iOS 26, as an alternative of the beforehand anticipated iOS 19. It marks a complete rebrand for Apple’s iOS that may replace yearly — get it, subsequent yr is 2026.
It is an fascinating change and one aimed toward continuity: all of Apple’s working techniques will now function inside that naming conference. So, meaning we’ll even be getting watchOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, iPadOS 26, and so forth.
It isn’t only a identify that’ll be completely different with iOS 26, nevertheless. There are many different modifications. You’ll be able to comply with Mashable’s complete dwell weblog for updates as they arrive in, however a key shift in iOS 26 is a complete redesign, which had been extensively anticipated. The large evolution in design depends on what Apple has dubbed “Liquid Glass.” It incorporates see-through parts in an effort to have a crisper, easier-to-use interface.
So, as an example, you would possibly be capable to see the track you are at the moment taking part in whereas additionally conserving what is going on on within the background seen.
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Apple is so hyped in regards to the new design that it is calling “Liquid Glass” a “software-based material,” which mainly simply means it seems completely different.
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Credit score: Apple
In a press launch, Apple mentioned:
“The elegant new design gives developers the opportunity to make their apps more expressive and delightful, while being instantly familiar. It’s crafted with a new software-based material called Liquid Glass, which combines the optical qualities of glass with a sense of fluidity. This gorgeous new material extends from the smallest elements users interact with every day — like buttons, switches, sliders, text, and media controls — to larger elements, including tab bars and sidebars for navigating apps.”
iOS 26 is not merely a shift in aesthetics. We’ll get extra particulars because it rolls out, however Apple has already proven the way it’ll change how your iPhone works. As an illustration, you will get new name screening instruments (nice for stopping scammers), an improved CarPlay with new widgets, updates in iMessages (like group chat polls), new digital camera experiences, and a revamped Pictures app, to call a couple of. The Digicam app additionally contains a sleeker look and adjusted performance once you take an image.
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Maybe most significantly, iOS 26 will lastly carry much-needed updates to your iPhone’s Pictures app.

Credit score: Apple
Or, for those who’re like me and fairly forgetful, Apple Maps’ new “Visited Places” software will likely be a welcome reduction once you attempt to bear in mind a spot you really liked.

Credit score: Apple
There will definitely be tons to discover in iOS 26, because it’s considered one of Apple’s largest software program modifications in fairly a while.