iOS 26 Available Now: New Liquid Glass Design and Smart Features

09/15/2025 Mobile Software

After a period of beta testing, iOS 26 is finally here! Starting today, September 15th, if you have an iPhone 11 or later, you can update your device and experience the latest that Apple has to offer. I was eager to try it on my iPhone 13.

You can find the update by navigating to Settings → General → Software Update. What can you expect? Let's get into some of the key enhancements this new iOS version brings.

One of the first things you'll notice is the all-new "Liquid Glass" design. Imagine menus, buttons, and icons with a translucent appearance, almost like looking through frosted glass. Apple describes it as a material that "reflects and refracts its surroundings," which should give a fresh, dynamic feel to your device. For me, the vibrancy it adds is a welcome change.

The Lock Screen gets some love too. The clock smartly adjusts to fill empty spaces, and if you're listening to Apple Music, get ready for full-screen animated album art. It's a small touch, but it makes a big difference to the overall user experience. It's a detail that made me smile the first time I saw it.

I think many of us will appreciate the updates to the Phone app, particularly the new Call Screening feature. It works by asking unknown callers for their name and the reason for their call. This is a great way to filter out unwanted spam calls. Plus, there's a Hold Assist feature that waits on hold for you and notifies you when someone is finally on the line. I can see this saving a lot of my time and frustration. This feature is available in the iPhone settings.

For those of us concerned about battery life, iOS 26 introduces an Adaptive Power Mode. This is in addition to the Low Power Mode we already know. According to Apple, Adaptive Power Mode makes "performance adjustments" to extend battery life. This might include slightly lowering screen brightness or allowing some processes to run a bit slower. It can also automatically turn on Low Power Mode when your battery hits 20%. Keep in mind that this feature is only available on iPhone 15 Pro models and newer, which is a bummer for some of us. You can find the setting under Battery → Power Mode.

If you're an Apple Music user, you'll want to check out the new AutoMix feature. It seamlessly transitions between songs. I like to think of it like having a DJ in your pocket. This replaces the old Crossfade feature, offering a smoother listening experience.

CarPlay Enhancements

For those who use CarPlay, there are several notable improvements. The Liquid Glass design extends to the CarPlay interface, bringing that new visual flair to your car's screen. You can now respond to messages with Tapbacks directly through CarPlay, and you can view your pinned conversations. There's also a new compact view for incoming calls, which is useful when you need to keep an eye on navigation. Moreover, the Dashboard screen can now show Live Activities, such as flight arrival times. The regular version of CarPlay also gets a widgets screen for things like calendar appointments and HomeKit controls. Finally, Apple says that you'll be able to wirelessly stream videos to the CarPlay screen using AirPlay. However, for safety, this feature will only work when the vehicle is parked.

All in all, iOS 26 is packed with features that I think will make our iPhones even more useful and enjoyable. From the sleek Liquid Glass design to the practical call screening and battery management tools, there's something for everyone. Time to update and give it a spin!