iOS 26 is set to launch today, bringing a host of new features and enhancements to iPhone users. The update includes a refreshed Liquid Glass design, an innovative lock screen, live translation for travelers, and improved spam protection to block unwanted calls.
Updates to Messages, Mail, Photos, and Maps have also been introduced, with the Maps app now able to recognize preferred routes. Apple’s latest release is highly anticipated, but the exact time of the launch remains undisclosed.
Typically, iOS updates roll out around 6pm BST, based on historical trends. To download iOS 26, ensure a stable Wi-Fi connection as the update is expected to be sizable. Once available, users can access it through Settings > General > Software Update.
Due to high demand, installation may take longer tonight. Additionally, not all iPhone models are compatible with iOS 26, including the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. The list of compatible models includes iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16, and others.
Apple’s Senior VP of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, highlighted the update’s aesthetic enhancements and user-centric improvements, emphasizing a more personalized and efficient experience for iPhone users.