Liquid Glass Design
Makes interactions across iOS more delightful, refracts and reflects content in real time, bringing even more focus to what's on your screen with a fresh new look for app icons.
iOS 26
The world's most advanced mobile operating system.
Featuring Liquid Glass design, enhanced Apple Intelligence, and revolutionary features that transform how you interact with your iPhone.
Released January 2026
Compatible Devices
iOS 26 works on iPhone XR and later models, bringing revolutionary new features to millions of devices.
Check CompatibilityDownload & Install
Update wirelessly or through your computer. We'll guide you through every step.
Installation GuideSecurity Updates
iOS 26 includes important security improvements and bug fixes to keep your iPhone protected.
Security DetailsiOS 26 Features
Visual Intelligence
Learn about content in any app by pressing screenshot buttons. Highlight to search, jump into Google results, find related items from third-party apps, or ask ChatGPT.
Live Translation
Automatically translate incoming Messages, FaceTime captions appear on screen during calls, Phone audio is translated in real time, and AirPods provide hands-free translation.
Enhanced Genmoji
Mix two emoji together or combine with descriptions. Choose expressions for people, modify hairstyles and facial hair. More styles with ChatGPT including Oil Painting and Anime.
Camera Improvements
Streamlined design for easier access to Photo and Video modes. Lens cleaning hints alert you when smudged. Take photos with new AirPods gesture on AirPods 4 and Pro 2.
Call Screening
Screen incoming calls from unknown numbers, getting the caller's name and reason before the phone rings. Hold Assist keeps your place in queues and rings when a live agent is ready.
Messages Enhancements
Screen unknown senders, add backgrounds to conversations, create polls for group decisions, and see typing indicators showing exactly who is about to respond.
CarPlay Redesign
New Liquid Glass design with tab bar navigation, compact incoming calls, Tapbacks in Messages while driving, pinned conversations, and Live Activities on the Dashboard.
Maps Features
Visited Places detects restaurants and shops you visit for easy sharing. Preferred routes learn your frequent drives between regularly visited places like home and work.
Music Enhancements
Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation help understand and sing along to songs in any language. AutoMix transitions songs like a DJ with beatmatching for continuous playback.
Wallet Updates
Updated boarding passes with flight information, order tracking (beta) using Apple Intelligence, and instalment financing options for credit and debit card purchases with Apple Pay.
Apple Games
New all-in-one gaming destination. Challenge friends, track scores in real time, access your entire game library, and get recommendations based on games you love.
Protecting Kids Online
Communication Requests for parents to approve new contacts. Convert existing accounts to Child Accounts. Age-appropriate experiences in apps and Communication Safety for live FaceTime calls.
Accessibility Features
Accessibility Nutrition Labels in App Store, Accessibility Reader for easier text reading, and Braille Access for effortlessly taking notes and reading documents.
Preview App & More
New Preview app for viewing and editing PDFs with AutoFill and document scanner. Reimagined FaceTime landing page, Reminder Suggestions, local capture for podcasts, and adaptive power management.
How to Update to iOS 26
Update Over-the-Air (Recommended)
- Back up your iPhone using iCloud or your computer
- Connect to Wi-Fi
- Plug your iPhone into power
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Tap Download and Install
- Enter your passcode if prompted
- Tap Install to begin the update
Download Size: Approximately 3-5 GB (varies by device)
Installation Time: 15-30 minutes
Update Using a Computer
- Back up your iPhone
- Update to the latest version of iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
- Connect your iPhone to your computer
- Select your iPhone when it appears
- Click Check for Update
- Click Download and Update
- Enter your passcode if prompted
Best for: Slower internet connections or troubleshooting update issues
iOS 26 Compatibility
iOS 26 is compatible with the following iPhone models:
iPhone 15 Series
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15
iPhone 14 Series
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
iPhone 13 Series
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
iPhone 12 Series
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
iPhone 11 Series
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
Earlier Models
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
Note: Some features may not be available on all models. Advanced features like Visual Intelligence and enhanced Apple Intelligence capabilities may require newer iPhone models. For complete feature availability, visit Apple's feature availability page.
Critical Security Alert: March 2026
⚠️ Urgent: Mass iPhone Exploitation Campaigns Discovered
March 19, 2026: Security researchers from iVerify, Google, and Citizen Lab have uncovered two sophisticated iPhone hacking tools - Coruna and DarkSword - actively exploiting millions of iPhones running outdated iOS versions. These represent the first known mass exploitation campaigns targeting iOS devices.
DarkSword Exploit Details
According to iVerify's latest report, DarkSword is a sophisticated surveillance and intelligence gathering tool that blanket pulls data including:
- Wi-Fi passwords and network information
- Text messages and call history
- Root location history and real-time tracking
- Browser history and saved passwords
- SIM card and cellular data
- Health, notes, and calendar databases
- Cryptocurrency wallets and financial data
Affected Versions & Scale
Vulnerable iOS Versions: iOS 18.4 through iOS 18.6.2
Estimated Impact: 220-270 million iPhones worldwide (approximately 14.2% of all devices)
Protection: Update to iOS 26.3.1 or later immediately
Attack Methods & Origins
Both campaigns use sophisticated "watering hole" attacks where legitimate websites are compromised to automatically infect vulnerable iPhones that visit them. The attacks require no user interaction beyond visiting the infected website.
Coruna
- Origin: Developed by L3Harris, later sold illegally to Russian brokers by former executive Peter Williams (who pleaded guilty in 2025)
- First deployed: Summer 2025 by Russian intelligence against Ukrainians
- Current use: Chinese cybercriminals obtained it by December 2025, creating fake finance websites to steal cryptocurrency
DarkSword
- Origin: Unknown, but utilized by the same Russian intelligence unit
- Spread: Multiple commercial surveillance vendors and state-sponsored actors now using variants
- Targets identified: People in Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Malaysia
Expert Warnings
"The barrier to entry for widespread, devastating mobile attacks has been decisively lowered. It's clear this problem is only going to grow. The scary takeaway for regular users is they can't spot this attack."
- John Scott-Railton, Senior Researcher at Citizen Lab, University of Toronto
"There's been this perception in the security community that attacks against iPhones are like mythical beasts, they're rare. Nah, we just don't really have the tools to see these. I have a feeling that it's more pervasive than people think."
- Rocky Cole, Chief Operating Officer at iVerify
Apple's Response
Apple spokesperson Sarah O'Rourke confirmed that both tools only work against devices running older versions of iOS, reinforcing the critical importance of regular updates:
"Keeping software up to date remains the single most important thing users can do to maintain the high security of their Apple devices."
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Immediately: Install iOS 26.3.1 or later - this version fully protects against both exploits
- Special Update Available: Apple released an unusual update for older devices that cannot upgrade to iOS 26, specifically to block these hacking tools
- Enable Lockdown Mode: If you're at high risk of being targeted, enable Lockdown Mode in Settings > Privacy & Security
- Check for Infection: iVerify is offering their Basic app for free until May 2026 to detect DarkSword infections
Additional Security Features in iOS 26
Beyond addressing these specific threats, iOS 26 includes:
- Enhanced kernel-level security preventing privilege escalation
- Improved app sandboxing and permission controls
- Communication Safety extended to FaceTime calls
- Age-appropriate content controls with parental approval systems
- Advanced encryption throughout the system
Security Resources
For detailed security content and updates:
Common Update Issues
"Unable to Check for Update"
Solutions:
- Check your internet connection
- Restart your iPhone
- Try updating at a different time
- Update using a computer instead
Update Stuck on "Preparing Update"
Solutions:
- Ensure stable Wi-Fi connection
- Free up storage space (need 5GB+)
- Pause and resume the download
- Delete the update and download again
Not Enough Storage
Solutions:
- Delete unused apps temporarily
- Clear Safari cache and data
- Remove downloaded videos/music
- Update via computer (requires less space)
Battery Draining After Update
Solutions:
- Wait 24-48 hours for indexing to complete
- Check battery health in Settings
- Disable background app refresh temporarily
- Reset all settings if issue persists
iOS Resources
Official Apple Support
Access Apple's official iOS documentation and support articles.
Visit Apple Support