The iOS 26 update introduces the Liquid Glass interface, which was revealed at WWDC 2025. This represents a substantial shift in the user interface, designed to create a unified experience across all Apple devices. The new design includes spatial wallpapers, where elements stand out, and icons with subtle borders. Translucent menus appear when app icons are pressed and held, with a similar design for the Control Center. The updates to the icons are gradual.
Apple Intelligence enhancements are also part of the update. The Shortcuts app incorporates AI-driven automation. The Image Playground tool gets new features, including the ability to change the expressions of animated characters and has ChatGPT integration. The new Genmoji and Image Playground features. Visual Intelligence Enhancements have been added, which work with screenshots. Users will have the ability to unimage searches, create calendar events, translate text, and ask ChatGPT directly from screenshots.
Further features include live translation within calls, FaceTime, and Messages, with AirPods Pro 3 and later models supporting live translation. Languages include English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish (calls/FaceTime), and Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean (Messages). Call screening and Hold Assist features are also included. The Messages app has also been enhanced with features like group polls and spam filtering. There are also updates for the Photos app, new apps such as Preview and Games, and enhancements for existing apps such as Music, Reminders, Maps, CarPlay, and AirPods.