The 2025 Worldwide Builders Convention is arising fast, with lower than every week to go earlier than the massive keynote occasion. We’re sharing a collection of rumor recaps this week, for individuals who need to get a sneak peek at a few of the options anticipated in Apple’s upcoming software program updates.
iOS 26 is unquestionably the OS that we have heard probably the most about, and rumors counsel that it’ll get a significant design overhaul. We have highlighted every little thing we all know under.
Naming
iOS 18 just isn’t going to iOS 19, with Apple as an alternative opting to vary the numbering for its software program updates. As a substitute, we will get iOS 26, which can 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 main design revamp, adopting some visible parts from the visionOS working system. Inside Apple, the design undertaking is known as “Solarium,” which hints at what we will anticipate.
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 individuals 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 might undertake the identical translucent focus to let content material shine by way of.
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 might use shading, shadowing, and refined lighting results to present buttons and different interface parts a slight elevate.
App icons could possibly be rounder, and notifications, menus in apps, search bars, card-style interfaces, and different elements of the iOS consumer interface might 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 function a frosted glass rainbow with delicate colours, and people photos would possibly trace at what’s coming. Apple might use a delicate, frosted glass type throughout iOS 26.
Mockups which can be allegedly primarily based on actual iOS 26 designs had been shared earlier this yr by Entrance Web page Tech, demonstrating a few of the design modifications that is likely to be in retailer.
A render of iOS 26’s alleged redesigned Digicam app, from Entrance Web page TechA mockup of the Digicam app, for instance, has translucent pop-out menus that higher mix into the background to place the concentrate on the pictures.
Newer Apple apps like Apple Sports activities and Invitations have less complicated, translucent interface parts with increasing buttons, and will additionally serve for instance 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 greater refreshes than others. Apple will even present builders with design pointers and belongings in order that third-party apps can undertake the brand new aesthetic as effectively.
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.
Among the design and interface modifications will even lengthen to macOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS, bettering design consistency and navigation throughout Apple’s working methods.
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 function will analyze how you employ your iPhone and make changes to maximise battery life. The choice will have the ability to restrict the ability draw of apps and different system options primarily based on machine utilization.
Battery administration can be notably 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 capable of 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 could possibly be simpler to make use of, with even informal customers capable of 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 an alternative choice to ChatGPT, and that is a function that we’ll probably see in iOS 26. Google Gemini would combine with Siri like ChatGPT, with Siri capable of hand requests over to Gemini for extra in-depth AI-powered solutions.
Siri
We’re nonetheless ready on the entire Apple Intelligence customized Siri options that Apple debuted at WWDC 2024. These updates are anticipated to come back in some unspecified time in the future 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.
Here is what’s coming, ultimately:
- Private Context – Siri will have the ability to maintain monitor of every little thing in your machine, like emails, messages, information, 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 potential with the private assistant proper now. This can be a function accessible for Apple’s apps and third-party apps.
Gaming App
Apple has a brand new gaming app deliberate, and it will exchange Recreation Heart and add extra performance than ever earlier than. It’ll 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 function communication choices for connecting with different gamers, in-game achievements, editorial content material and suggestions, and leaderboards.
New Options for Current 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 function will permit 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 function that will synchronize captive Wi-Fi portal login info throughout gadgets, so you will solely must enter login particulars for a captive Wi-Fi community as soon as, and it will be accessible on all your Apple merchandise. Captive networks are widespread in lodges, airports, espresso outlets, 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 customized well being suggestions.
There may be new meals monitoring performance that might permit customers to maintain monitor of their calorie consumption every day.
Stage Supervisor
There is a risk that Apple will add a Stage Supervisor function for iPhone fashions which have a USB-C port, with the function activating when an iPhone is related to an exterior show over USB-C.
Stage Supervisor would permit 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 fascinating new additions.
- Music Haptics – Music Haptics will get customization choices so haptics will be enabled for a complete music or simply vocals, plus there can be choices to regulate the depth of faucets, textures, and vibrations.
- App Retailer Labels – App Retailer product pages will get Accessibility Vitamin 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 Massive Textual content and Sound Recognition that may alert drivers to the sound of a crying child, horns, and sirens.
- Background Sounds – Background Sounds can 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’ll 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 Laptop Interface gadgets.
iPadOS 26
iPadOS 26 goes to get the identical design updates which can be coming to the iPhone, so it can 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 possibility for Apple Pencil customers that want to put in writing Arabic script.
Compatibility
Rumors counsel that iOS 26 is not going to be accessible on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, however it can 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 information on the entire rumored options that we find out about to date 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.
If you happen to’re not capable of 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.
