iPhone receives essential upgrade before the upcoming iOS 26 overhaul from Apple
Apple Unveils Major Software Updates for Fall 2025
Apple has announced a series of significant software updates for its devices, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. These updates are expected to launch this fall, coinciding with the release of the new iPhone 17.
A Fresh Look with Liquid Glass
The key feature of these updates is a major visual redesign called Liquid Glass. This transparency-centric aesthetic aims to refresh the look and feel across all devices, making interfaces more visually cohesive and modern. The Liquid Glass design is most prominent on the iPhone, but it varies in intensity depending on the device.
Enhanced Multitasking on iPadOS 26
iPadOS 26 stands out with Mac-like multitasking features, such as windowed apps with Exposé, a menu bar, and a new cursor. These changes aim to blur the line between iPad and Mac for professional users. iPadOS 26 also introduces new apps like Journal, Preview, and Phone, broadening the iPad's capabilities.
Productivity Boosts and AI Integration
All updates include enhancements in AI and automation, particularly through the integration of ChatGPT in the Shortcuts app. This integration enables more powerful productivity workflows.
Other Key Features
- iOS 26 includes a new battery management system, improvements in the Camera app, enhanced ChatGPT integration, updates to AirPods features, and the introduction of Liquid Glass design system-wide.
- macOS 26 Tahoe focuses on continuity with other Apple OSes, with developer betas hinting at improvements in window management and system aesthetics aligned with iPadOS 26 features.
- watchOS 26 incorporates Liquid Glass visuals and updates to health tracking and system features synchronized with iOS 26 enhancements.
- tvOS 26 is updated alongside the new visual style and performance improvements, with a beta available since early July.
- visionOS 26 is updated with enhanced spatial computing features and performance, applying the Liquid Glass design and tightening integration with the iOS ecosystem.
Availability and Compatibility
The developer beta cycle is well underway across all platforms, with the fourth beta versions released in late July 2025, suggesting stability and readiness for a fall public launch. iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6, and visionOS 2.6 updates are also available for other Apple devices. The iOS 18.6 update has been rolled out to iPhone users.
Security and Bug Fixes
The updates come with key security updates and bug fixes. Notably, the updates do not include the new Liquid Glass interface, which is reserved for the '26' updates. The updates are free for users.
This upcoming generation of Apple OS updates represents Apple’s most significant overhaul in over a decade, focusing on aesthetics, multitasking, AI integration, and system-wide consistency across all devices.
- The Liquid Glass design, a key feature in the major software updates, will bring a transparency-centric aesthetic to smartphones like the new iPhone 17, making the interface more visually cohesive and modern.
- In addition to the iPhone, iPadOS 26 will also integrate Mac-like multitasking features, such as windowed apps, Exposé, a menu bar, and a new cursor, aiming to make the iPad more capable like a Mac for professional users.
