The 2025 Worldwide Builders Convention is developing fast, with lower than every week to go earlier than the large keynote occasion. We’re sharing a collection of rumor recaps this week, for many who need to get a sneak peek at a few of the options anticipated in Apple’s upcoming software program updates.
iOS 26 is certainly the OS that we have heard essentially the most about, and rumors counsel that it’ll get a serious design overhaul. We have highlighted all the things we all know beneath.
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iOS 18 will not be going to iOS 19, with Apple as an alternative opting to vary the numbering for its software program updates. As an alternative, we will get iOS 26, which will probably be launched alongside iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
The “26” within the title marks the September 2025 to September 2026 launch season for iOS 26. Subsequent yr we’ll get iOS 27, then iOS 28, and so forth. All software program updates now share the identical yr quantity, which makes it simpler to maintain new releases straight.
Design Updates
iOS 26 goes to get a serious design revamp, adopting some visible components from the visionOS working system. Inside Apple, the design challenge is known as “Solarium,” which hints at what we will count on.
A solarium is an all-glass room that is designed to let in daylight, and rumors counsel that iOS 26 will undertake a extra translucent, glass-inspired aesthetic.
visionOS has a translucent interface to permit folks to see their environment in AR or VR whereas additionally interacting with app menus and home windows. visionOS home windows mix into the background for an unobtrusive look, and on the iPhone, Apple may undertake the identical translucent focus to let content material shine by.
iOS 26 can be anticipated to get a few of the floating on-screen home windows and menus which can be utilized in visionOS, with rounded pop-up navigation and menu bars that float above the content material on the show. Apple may use shading, shadowing, and delicate lighting results to offer buttons and different interface components a slight carry.
App icons might be rounder, and notifications, menus in apps, search bars, card-style interfaces, and different elements of the iOS consumer interface may have extra rounded corners than we’re used to. The floating navigation bars are anticipated to be pill-shaped, for instance.
iOS 26 has been described as having a shiny or glass-like look, which can be how visionOS seems. Apple’s WWDC 2025 teaser photos characteristic a frosted glass rainbow with smooth colours, and people photos may trace at what’s coming. Apple may use a smooth, frosted glass fashion throughout iOS 26.
Mockups which can be allegedly primarily based on actual iOS 26 designs have been shared earlier this yr by Entrance Web page Tech, demonstrating a few of the design modifications that is perhaps in retailer.
A render of iOS 26’s alleged redesigned Digital camera app, from Entrance Web page Tech
A mockup of the Digital camera app, for instance, has translucent pop-out menus that higher mix into the background to place the deal with the pictures.
Newer Apple apps like Apple Sports activities and Invitations have less complicated, translucent interface components with increasing buttons, and will additionally serve for example of the design language Apple is debuting in iOS 26.
Apple is planning to overtake its built-in apps with the up to date design, although some will get larger refreshes than others. Apple may even present builders with design tips and belongings in order that third-party apps can undertake the brand new aesthetic as properly.
Navigation Simplification and Streamlining
Together with a brand new look, Apple can be going to streamline navigation choices in iOS 26. Apple is tweaking menus, buttons, and navigation to make the working system less complicated to be taught and navigate.
A few of the design and interface modifications may even lengthen to macOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS, enhancing design consistency and navigation throughout Apple’s working programs.
Apple Intelligence Options
There are a number of new Apple Intelligence options which can be anticipated in iOS 26.
AI Battery Administration
An AI-powered battery administration characteristic will analyze how you employ your iPhone and make changes to maximise battery life. The choice will have the ability to restrict the facility draw of apps and different system options primarily based on machine utilization.
Battery administration will probably be significantly helpful for the iPhone 17 Air that may have a smaller battery than different iPhones, however it is going to be accessible on iPhones which can be in a position to run iOS 26.
Shortcuts App
Apple plans to replace the Shortcuts app with Apple Intelligence, permitting customers to create actions that use Apple Intelligence fashions. With this performance, Shortcuts might be simpler to make use of, with even informal customers in a position to create helpful shortcuts utilizing pure language.
Google Gemini
Apple and Google are near establishing a deal that may add Google Gemini to the iPhone as a substitute for ChatGPT, and that is a characteristic that we’ll doubtless see in iOS 26. Google Gemini would combine with Siri like ChatGPT, with Siri in a position to hand requests over to Gemini for extra in-depth AI-powered solutions.
Siri
We’re nonetheless ready on the entire Apple Intelligence personalised Siri options that Apple debuted at WWDC 2024. These updates are anticipated to return sooner or later in iOS 26, however they is probably not prepared for the launch model of the software program. If the performance is not able to go, Apple is not going to say it at WWDC 2025 to keep away from additional embarrassment.
This is what’s coming, ultimately:
Private Context – Siri will have the ability to hold monitor of all the things in your machine, like emails, messages, recordsdata, and extra, serving to you full duties and discover issues.
Onscreen consciousness – Siri will know what’s in your display screen and can have the ability to full actions involving no matter you are taking a look at.
Deeper App Integration – Siri will have the ability to do extra in and throughout apps, performing actions and duties that aren’t doable with the private assistant proper now. This will probably be a characteristic accessible for Apple’s apps and third-party apps.
Gaming App
Apple has a brand new gaming app deliberate, and it will change Recreation Middle and add extra performance than ever earlier than. It will home the video games part of the App Retailer, so you’ll discover and launch video games from one handy gaming-centric spot.
The app can be anticipated to characteristic communication choices for connecting with different gamers, in-game achievements, editorial content material and proposals, and leaderboards.
New Options for Present Apps
Rumors counsel that there are a number of new options coming to present Apple apps.
Messages – Automated translations and help for polls.
Music – Full display screen animated artwork on the Lock Display.
Notes – Markdown help.
CarPlay – Up to date consumer interface to match iOS 26.
AirPods Reside Translate
With an AirPods firmware replace, an iOS 26 characteristic will enable the AirPods to translate in-person conversations from one language to a different. If an English speaker with AirPods is conversing with somebody who’s talking Spanish, the iPhone will detect the audio, translate the speech, and relay it again in English to the AirPods wearer.
Connectivity
Apple is including a brand new characteristic that may synchronize captive Wi-Fi portal login data throughout gadgets, so you will solely have to enter login particulars for a captive Wi-Fi community as soon as, and it will be accessible on your entire Apple merchandise. Captive networks are frequent in inns, airports, espresso retailers, and different places with shared or paid web choices.
Apple may additionally make it simpler for iPhone customers to switch an eSIM to an Android smartphone.
Well being App
There is a new Well being app coming, nevertheless it won’t be prepared when iOS 26 launches, so Apple won’t be planning to unveil it simply but. The revamped app will apparently provide AI-powered well being coating options with personalised well being suggestions.
There may be new meals monitoring performance that might enable customers to maintain monitor of their calorie consumption every day.
Stage Supervisor
There is a chance that Apple will add a Stage Supervisor characteristic for iPhone fashions which have a USB-C port, with the characteristic activating when an iPhone is related to an exterior show over USB-C.
Stage Supervisor would enable a number of apps to be opened directly, providing a extra Mac-like expertise when an iPhone is used with a show.
Accessibility Options
Apple previewed new Accessibility options coming to iOS 26 earlier this yr, and there are some attention-grabbing new additions.
Music Haptics – Music Haptics will get customization choices so haptics will be enabled for a whole track or simply vocals, plus there will probably be choices to regulate the depth of faucets, textures, and vibrations.
App Retailer Labels – App Retailer product pages will get Accessibility Diet Labels that spotlight accessibility options in apps.
Accessibility Reader – Accessibility Reader is a systemwide studying mode that may make textual content simpler to learn because of customization options for adjusting font, colour, spacing, and extra.
CarPlay – CarPlay is getting help for Giant Textual content and Sound Recognition that may alert drivers to the sound of a crying child, horns, and sirens.
Background Sounds – Background Sounds will probably be customizable with new EQ settings, timers, and automation actions in Shortcuts.
Private Voice – Private Voice will let customers protect their voice sooner and extra simply. It can use on-device machine studying to create a smoother, extra natural-sounding voice in below a minute.
Monitoring – Head monitoring and eye monitoring are getting updates, plus Apple is including help for Mind Pc Interface gadgets.
Ipados 26
iPadOS 26 goes to get the identical design updates which can be coming to the iPhone, so it would have the identical glass-like, translucent look.
Apple can be rumored to be engaged on including new options that may make the iPad expertise extra like utilizing a Mac, introducing improved productiveness, new multitasking options, and expanded window administration choices.
iPadOS 26 might have a Mac-like menu bar when related to a Magic Keyboard, plus Apple is including a brand new reed calligraphy pen choice for Apple Pencil customers that want to jot down Arabic script.
Compatibility
Rumors counsel that iOS 26 won’t be accessible on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, however it would run on all different iPhones that help iOS 18.
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Professional
iPhone 16 Professional Max
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Professional
iPhone 15 Professional Max
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Professional
iPhone 14 Professional Max
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 Professional
iPhone 13 Professional Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Professional
iPhone 12 Professional Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Professional
iPhone 11 Professional Max
iPhone SE (2nd era or later)
Whereas these iPhones will help iOS 26, superior options could also be restricted to newer iPhones with sooner processors. Apple Intelligence in iOS 18, for instance, solely runs on the iPhone 15 Professional and the iPhone 16 fashions.
Learn Extra
Extra data on the entire rumored options that we find out about up to now will be present in our iOS 26 roundup.
WWDC 2025 Keynote
Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote will start on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will dwell stream the occasion on its web site, on YouTube, and within the TV app.
Should you’re not in a position to watch dwell, we’ll have a dwell weblog and protection of the bulletins right here at MacRumors, plus we’ll be dwell tweeting the occasion on the MacRumorsLive account.
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