The official release of iOS 26 is a major milestone as far as the history of iPhone software is concerned. It was announced on June 9, 2025, at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and released on September 15, 2025. This upgrade comes with an overhaul of the iPhone interface that changes the appearance and the experience. Before this upgrade, there were rumors that the update includes a new text message filtering feature that could prevent political messages from being seen, particularly those from GOP campaigns.
But it’s a reality that iOS 26 includes an automatic text filtering option that sends messages from unrecognized senders to an “Unknown Senders” folder, which can impact political campaigns. It impacts the GOP, which relies on mass texting for fundraising and outreach. This feature, intended to reduce spam, though some sources suggest that legitimate campaigns won’t be heavily affected. In addition to the new imagery, Apple has offered more privacy features to provide users with more control over their personal information.
Besides the design and privacy enhancements, iOS 26 has smarter AI tools. These applications enhance the functionality of Siri and introduce a new real-time translation. In case you are excited to undergo those changes, this will be a useful guide to get around the update and enjoy all of the things that iOS 26 has to offer.
What’s New in iOS 26?
iOS 26 has a new design language called Liquid Glass, which adds depth and fluidity to your iPhone interface. This layout substitutes the two-dimensional aspects of iOS 7 with three-dimensional, transparent, and rounded aspects that respond to touch and content, which produces an interactive and immersive experience.
Lock Screen and Home Screen are also redesigned to accommodate this new design, and are offered with more expressive and customizable options. Now, Widgets are now able to be added to the bottom of the Lock Screen, and Photos can change into a scene in space with a little depth of 3D, and you move your device.
Enhanced Privacy and Security
iOS 26 has added several privacy features to provide users with greater control over their data. The Phone app has also been enhanced with call and message screening, whereby the caller is asked to give his/her name and the purpose of calling, and this is displayed on-screen. The Wallet App has also been revised to enable secure online identification in terms of the ID, and users can verify their identity without providing personal details.
How to Install iOS 26
Here are the two tips to install iOS 26:
Compatibility and Installation Process
iOS 26 supports iPhones starting from 11 all the way up to the iPhone SE (2nd generation and later). To update, go to the Settings menu, then the General section, and the Software Update menu, and do as it is written on screen. Make sure that your device has sufficient storage and it is linked to a reliable Wi-Fi internet.
Tips for a Smooth Update
It is best to save your iPhone via iCloud or iTunes before proceeding with the update, lest you lose the data. Furthermore, make sure that your device has enough battery or is charged throughout the update.
Top Features to Explore
Here are the top features to explore in iOS 26:
Smarter Siri and Real-Time Translation
Siri has also been improved by the integration of ChatGPT, and it has become a more natural and conversational interaction. This allows real-time translation in Messages and captions when making FaceTime calls to break language barriers and improve communication.
Advanced Camera and Photos Experience
The Camera app has also been improved with some features, such as better performance when the light is low, and also with new shooting modes. Photos app has also got improved search and organization features, and is now easier to browse and touch on your photos.
Upgraded CarPlay and Wallet Features
CarPlay has also been made to have a new compact version of the incoming call view so that users can see the person calling without missing important details like the next route. The Wallet application has also been updated with the option to verify their identity securely online, and the ID is verified without the sharing of personal data.
Common Concerns
Battery Drain
After the iOS 26 update came out, there have been complaints from users who have been experiencing speedy battery drainage soon after updating their system. Apple has also been responsive to these and indicated that there are temporary battery and performance problems that are normal as devices adapt themselves by performing background functions like indexing and updating apps.
Visual Design Feedback
The new Liquid Glass design has not been received with much satisfaction. Some users have enjoyed the new appearance, but others have been impressed with the transparent nature that causes strain to their eyes or makes them feel dizzy.
Final Thoughts
The new iOS 26 is loaded with new features and enhancements to make your iPhone life better. Along with the beautiful Liquid Glass design and smarter AI and privacy experience, this update has something to offer to all users. Although it has certain initial concerns, Apple is now in the process of improving them. You should also upgrade to iOS 26 version as it has some new features and you can enjoy it only with a device compatible with this OS version.
