Apple is preparing to launch iOS 26 with a modern Liquid Glass interface, powerful AI features, and a mid-September rollout. Here’s everything you need to know about the release schedule, supported devices, and top upgrades.
Launch Expectations
Apple unveiled iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 on June 9 and confirmed it will launch this fall, most likely mid‑September right after the iPhone 17 event following Apple’s pattern from previous years. For context:
- iOS 18 launched on September 16, 2024
- iOS 17 on September 18, 2023
- iOS 16 on September 12, 2022
Public Beta Coming Soon
- Developer beta 4 was released in mid‑July.
- The public beta is expected “around July 23”.
- Users can enroll via beta.apple.com, but it may still have bugs.
Key Features Spotlight
- Liquid Glass redesign
A translucent UI aesthetic inspired by visionOS—bolder in beta 4 after earlier adjustments. - Apple Intelligence & AI upgrades
Features like live translation in Messages, enhanced Genmoji, smarter battery management, and Siri improvements via ChatGPT integration. - Notification Summaries powered by AI
Returning in beta 4 with caution about potential inaccuracies. - CarPlay video playback via AirPlay
Works only when parked and needs automaker support present but limited. - UI Enhancements Across System
Updated app icons, customizable Home/Lock screens, Safari, Photos, Camera refinements, caller protection, unified call view.
Device Support
- Supported: iPhone 11 and newer.
- Dropped: iPhone XS/XS Max and XR (A12 Bionic).
- Apple Intelligence features limited to iPhone 15 Pro series, 16, and newer.
Why This Matters
- The year-based naming skips iOS 19 in favor of iOS 26 for clarity across platforms.
- Public beta access gives early hands-on but may lack stability ideal for developers and enthusiasts.
- New features reflect Apple’s AI direction and aesthetic modernization setting expectations for the iPhone 17 era.
Quick Timeline Summary
| Event | Date/Window |
|---|---|
| WWDC 2025 announcement | June 9, 2025 |
| Developer Beta 4 | Mid-July 2025 |
| Public Beta Launch | Around July 23, 2025 |
| Official Public Release | Mid-September 2025 (after iPhone 17 launch) |
Bottom Line
iOS 26 is shaping up to be a visually refined, AI-integrated, year-aligned update. It’s on track for a late-July public beta and a wider mid-September release, marking it as one of Apple’s more significant iOS upgrades in recent years.
See Also
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- What Is “Tea”? The Viral Women-Only Dating Safety App
- iOS 26: Release Timeline, Features, and What to Expect