The new liquid glass design on the iOS 26 Home Screen and Lock Screen.
Apple Intelligence Live Translation is integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone to help users communicate across languages, translating text and audio on the fly.
AirPods Pro 3
In iOS 26, users can choose to have iPhone detect when they’re at a place like a restaurant or shop, and view all of their Visited Places in Maps.
iOS 26 is a major update that brings a new design and AI experiences to apps.

Apple's latest software update, iOS 26, is almost here.

On Sept. 9, Apple announced the highly-anticipated iPhone 17. The tech giant also announced the launch of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone Air, three new Apple Watch models and the AirPods Pro 3.

And in addition to the new devices, Apple also announced the release date of iOS 26. The software update is available for compatible iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches starting on Monday, Sept. 15. The update features a new user interface design and several new AI-powered features.

Interested in learning more? Here's a deeper dive into what we know about iOS 26.

When does iOS 26 release?

iOS 26 launches on Monday, Sept. 15, according to an Apple news release.

A new look: Liquid Glass

One of the most notable features of iOS 26 is Liquid Glass, a new user interface design on Apple devices. The design features clear, more fluid elements. For example, with Liquid Glass activated, users can keep their home screen apps as normal or change them to appear translucent, showing off the background image.

Liquid Glass also features more dynamic controls. In several apps, including Apple Music, users can swipe their finger to change between screens or features, rather than individually tapping.

Liquid Glass is available on eligible iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches.

New features worth knowing about

iOS 26 features several other new features, including some powered by Apple Intelligence. Here's a breakdown of some key ones:

Live Translation

Live Translation uses artificial intelligence to translate text messages, phone calls and FaceTime calls on iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches, according to the Apple website.

In Messages, Live Translation is available in Chinese (simplified), English (UK and U.S.), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish (Spain), according to the Apple website. For phone calls and FaceTime, the feature can translate English (UK and U.S.), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish (Spain).

Live Translation is also available with Apple's latest AirPods model: AirPods Pro 3. A user wearing the earbuds may enable Live Translation in the natural world around them. For example, if a user is traveling and is around people who speak a different language, the new AirPods will listen to the dialogue around them and translate it in nearly real time.

Live Translation also works in reverse. A user wearing AirPods Pro 3 may speak in their native language and then the earbuds will translate to the chosen language via speech or text on the attached iPhone.

New call and text features

The software update boasts several new phone call and text message features, including Call Screening. When a user receives a phone call from an unknown number, the iPhone automatically answers the phone and asks the caller for a name and reason for calling, which is then translated back to the user, who can decide to pick up the call or not. In the same vein, the Messages app filters text messages from unknown numbers in a different folder.

iOS 26 also features Hold Assist. When activated, Hold Assist keeps a caller's spot in line with a live agent and notifies a user when the call is ready for them, according to the Apple website.

Finally, users with iOS 26 will have a new-look polls feature in the Messages app and change text message backgrounds to a photo or preset design from an Apple library.

Most of these features are available on the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.

Intuitive Maps

Do you use Apple Maps to travel to work, school or a common destination? With iOS 26, the app uses artificial intelligence to learn a user's preferred routes, providing updates on delays before a user hits the road, according to the Apple website.

Apple Maps also features a new Visited Place category, which highlights restaurants, shops and other destinations a user has visited before.

Passport storage in Apple Wallet

Apple Wallet, which allows users to store digital debit and credit cards, concert tickets, airplane boarding passes and more, now allows users to store their passports with iOS 26.

Organize iPad screen like a desktop with multiple windows

While most of the iOS 26 features make their way to the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, some of the devices see unique updates, including a windowing system for the iPad. This update allows iPad users to open several windows on the screen, similar to a computer desktop.

Which Apple devices are eligible for iOS 26?

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Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Apple's iOS 26 update is coming. See key features, compatible devices.

Reporting by Greta Cross, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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