Updates for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26 and visionOS 26 can be downloaded since early this morning. There are many interesting new features introduced and I wrote this article to list the 26 most interesting new features for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, MacBook, iMac and Vision Pro users.
1. New Liquid Glass Interface
The new Liquid Glass interface was introduced by bringing back the original iOS skeumorphic UI era which was replaced by a flat design in 2013 through iOS 7. With a glass-like design, icons look 3D again by reflecting light. When interface elements cover the background, they will be completely obscured by the light refraction of real glass. Rumors say that this Liquid Glass design is taken from visionOS and will be the basis for the full-screen design of the 20th anniversary iPhone next year.
2. Uniform Naming Across All Operating Systems
The version naming of all operating systems iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and macOS has been standardized to the number 26 this year. For users, there is no confusion when the operating system is launched and whether they are using the latest operating system version from now on. iOS 18 skips directly to iOS 26 and visionOS 2 skips directly to visionOS 26. Skipping operating system versions is unconventional but the most logical choice Apple has ever made.
3. Uniform Interface Across All Devices
Not only are the names standardized, various cross-operating system interface elements have been passed. Customization of icons, colors, themes, backgrounds, and Control Center layouts are now also used in macOS, iPadOS, and visionOS. They can be personalized according to user preferences. I have long complained that macOS has a different Control Center than iOS. Starting this year, I will stop complaining.
4. Live Translation
Live Translation puts subtitles in phone conversations and FaceTime. This way, not sharing the same language is not a barrier for two people to talk. When typing text in Messages, what you type can be directly converted to a language that the recipient can understand and vice versa for you.
Similar support is also provided in Apple Music with foreign language lyrics can be converted to a language that the user understands. With Live Translation, iOS 26 is finally on par with the feature supported by Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy since 2024
5. Phone Call Screening – iOS, watchOS and macOS
Phone calls can also be filtered from spam calls with Call Screening. Next, if you make a phone call and are instructed to wait, Hold Assist will notify the user when a customer service agent is ready to speak.
6. Spatial 3D Background Images – iOS
I often see ads for applications that can convert 2D images into 3D which can then be used on the iPhone screen. All of these applications are actually fake. In iOS 26, the feature of converting images into spatial 3D images is finally included in the Photos app.
Just tap on any photo and it will be transformed into a spatial 3D image in just a few seconds. Photos taken using Portrait mode give the most realistic effect. This can then be used as an iPhone lock screen image or viewed in spatial 3D mode using Vision Pro.
7. Visual Intelligence iPhone Screen Content – iOS
Visual Intelligence is Apple’s answer to Google Circle to Search. Previously it was limited to the ability to recognize what was seen through the camera only. In iOS 26, it can identify what is displayed on the screen similar to Circle to Search. Product searches can be done with Google Images and Etsy integration. It can also identify the date, location and time of a specific event in a screenshot before suggesting it to be added to the calendar.
8. Now Can Run Apps in the Background – iPadOS
Isn’t it ridiculous that the iPad with the same Apple Silicon as the MacBook can’t do the same. This has been a question since the M-series chips were first introduced. With iPadOS 26, Background Tasks finally allows background processing to be done even when the app is not open. You can finally browse the web on your iPad while Final Cut Pro processes your edited video.
9. Open Multiple Apps at Once in Windows – iPadOS
Another macOS feature that was borrowed from iPadOS this year is opening apps in multiple windows. iPadOS 26 now feels more like a real computer operating system, realizing Apple’s “what is a computer?” dream a few years ago. More than one app can be open at once and displayed in windows of various sizes. Maybe one day a MacBook with a touchscreen will become a reality. Like Martin Luther King, I can only dream!
10. Macs Can Make Phone Calls – macOS
MacOS computers can now make phone calls for the first time with the Phone app. Previously, the ability to answer phone calls was only possible on a Mac. Every call made, received, and the user’s address book are synchronized across all devices owned.
11. Live Activities Now on Mac – macOS
Not stopping at borrowing the phone call feature from iOS, macOS 26 also borrows the Live Activities feature this year. Laptops and iMacs don’t have Dynamic Island but that’s okay because Live Activities are displayed directly in the menu bar at the top of the screen. This feature requires an iPhone to be connected to the Mac. Say goodbye to the incident of the Grab brother going crazy and not noticing that he had arrived under the office because you were busy working on your MacBook and didn't look at your phone.
12. Spotlight Isn't Just for Searching Files – macOS
Spotlight on macOS can now not only search for applications and files stored on your computer, but also search for those installed on your connected iPhone. Applications can then be launched directly from within the macOS computer. In addition, Spotlight can be used to send emails directly without opening the email application first.
Spotlight searches can also be refined by category. Don't know where the settings of an application that is open on macOS are? You can now use Spotlight to find specific features in applications. In short, Spotlight is now a local search engine for various macOS features and applications.
13. Games App as a Local Video Game Hub – iOS, iPadOS, macOS
The new Games app was announced with it being given to iOS, iPadOs and macOS. It becomes a local video game hub. All video games installed on the device will be placed in Games for quick access. The latest information about the game can be seen in the same application and you will no longer miss it like before. The Apple Arcade collection can also be accessed through it.
14. Folders Can Be Changed in Color and Labeled with Emoji – macOS and iPadOS
File folders in macOS and iPadOS can be changed in color and labeled with emoji to distinguish them from each other. This is not a huge innovation but it cannot be denied that it brings a change in how files are stored on the computer. Previously in macOS, folders could only be marked with colored circles. With this new feature, Folders can be identified without having to read the label.
15. AirPods Now Control the Camera
AirPods are not forgotten. Last year, head gestures could be used to answer and reject phone calls. This year, AirPods can be used to take pictures or start recording videos remotely. Don't be surprised if this feature is quickly borrowed by other manufacturers because it is really useful.
16. AirPods Pause Content If You Fall Asleep
AirPods have been updated to pause the content you are listening to if it detects that you have fallen asleep. A very useful feature for people who like to listen to podcasts and background noise before going to bed at night. This will prevent AirPods battery from being wasted because content continues to play after you fall asleep.
17. AirPods Remind You to Charge When Your Battery is Low
It's frustrating when your AirPods battery is low or dead when you want to use it. With the next AirPods firmware update, a notification feature reminding users to charge their batteries when they're low is finally being introduced because let's face it, we rarely check our batteries even though the widget has been supported for a long time.
18. Workout Buddy Gives Encouragement While Exercising – watchOS
Motivation to exercise will increase if there's someone to give you words of encouragement. But in this digital age, how many of us have a friend to work out with or a personal trainer? Workout Buddy is a virtual trainer that will give you words of encouragement before, during and after your workout based on your health data stored in Health.
19. Smart Stack Provides Smart Suggestions – watchOS
Apple Watch is also now smarter in providing activity suggestions through Smart Stack. Based on the user's location, time and habits, the appropriate exercise activity will be suggested by Smart Stack directly from the watch screen. For example, if it detects a loss of cellular signal, Smart Stack will give you suggestions to turn back and the return map will open on Apple Watch.
20. New Wrist Turn Gesture – watchOS
Sitting phone calls, ringing alarms and closing Smart Stack can be done with a new wrist turn gesture. A useful gesture when you are exercising and cannot touch the screen or perform the two-finger touch gesture provided previously.
21. Profile Display Every Time Apple TV is Opened – tvOS
In my house there are three different Apple TV users: me, my wife and my child. Each has a choice of application layout and background image. With tvOS 26, as soon as the Apple TV is turned on the profile screen will be displayed. With this, each user can continue to use the Apple TV with their own interface layout without having to go to the menu that requires several additional steps.
22. Karaoke Using iPhone as Microphone – tvOS
Apple TV owners usually also have an iPhone. With tvOS 26, a new feature for singing karaoke using Apple Music content can be done easily. The iPhone replaces the microphone with the singer's voice being thrown through the speakers like a real KTV. I tried it this morning and with a catalog of millions of songs on Apple Music, I no longer need to subscribe to a third service from now on.
23. More Realistic 3D Persona Avatars – visionOS
Among the criticisms Apple received after the Vision Pro was launched was that some of the features offered seemed awkward to use. Persona is a 3D avatar as a substitute for oneself that can be used during FaceTime calls. Through visionOS 26, Persona looks more realistic with increased polygons and realistic-looking hair. This may be a competitor to Apple's Google Beam.
24. Realistically Attached Widgets to the Real World – visionOS
The real world and virtual objects can be combined in Vision Pro. With visionOS 26, widgets can be hung on real-world objects as if they were real. There are shadows when placed on a wall or tabletop. Vision Pro also remembers the location of each widget even after it is turned off. The widget for Photos can display the spatial images I mentioned above and it becomes a 3D portal like the world of Harry Potter.
25. Spatial Web Browsing – visionOS
Websites initially only supported 2D content before becoming fully interactive with video content. Then 3D objects can be displayed for video games. Apple feels that after this, spatial 3D web browsing will become the new norm. In collaboration with several website developers, images displayed on websites will be displayed spatially. 3D models of furniture from online stores can also be taken and placed in the real world to try before buying.
26- PlayStation VR2 Sense and Logitech Muse Support – visionOS
Finally, Vision Pro will support two more third-party control devices. PlayStation VR2 Sense can be used as a virtual world controller that is not produced by Apple itself. Virtual objects in video games can now be controlled with PlayStation VR2 Sense just like the previous PlayStation DualSense support. For those who want to draw directly in the virtual world, support for Logitech Muse is also provided. By wanting to control Vision Pro, you are not limited to just two hands.
Enjoy trying out the latest operating system in the Apple ecosystem today. Use this holiday to update your devices without the distractions of having to do work. Below is the complete list of devices that will receive the update. If your device is not supported, it's time to buy a new one.
Apple iPhone
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd Gen)
iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Apple iPad
iPad Pro Gen 2
iPad Pro Gen 3
iPad Pro Gen 4
iPad Pro 5th Gen
iPad Pro Gen 6
iPad Air Gen 3
iPad Air Gen 4
iPad Air Gen 5
iPad Gen 6
iPad Gen 7
iPad Gen 8
9th Gen iPad
iPad Gen 10
iPad mini Gen 5
iPad mini Gen 6
MacBooks and Macs
MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
MacBook Pro (16″, 2019)
MacBook Pro (13″, 2020, 4x Thunderbolt ports )
iMac (2020 and later)
Mac mini (2020 and later)
Mac Studio (2022 and later)
Mac Pro (2019 and later)
Apple Watch
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra 2