With consistent design language and AI functionality across all six of its platforms (iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS), Apple has unveiled its most ambitious Apple iOS 26 software update ever. The update, available worldwide on September 15, 2025, and labeled a “Liquid Glass” refresh, indicates a big step forward for Apple’s operating system. The main points are summarized below.
Liquid Glass: A Unified Design Across All Devices
For the very first time, Apple has unveiled a universally applicable design language for its all-software. The “Liquid Glass” design features include matt or frosted-glass effects, smooth transitions, and colorful icons that even change their color against your wallpaper. All screens are designed for visual interaction and easy-glass transition no matter if you have iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple Vision Pro.
Apple Intelligence: Smarter, More Personal
Apple Intelligence is Becoming More Intelligent, and More Personal
At the core of all devices lies Apple Intelligence. Privacy is the primary priority for all the intelligence capabilities. Some of the main features are:
- Live Translation: Translation is available at a given moment in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls hence a smooth communication in different languages.
- Visual Intelligence: You can grab an image and ask questions regarding the text to learn more or find the images and the products that look alike.
- Genmoji & Image Playground: Create your own emojis and add the AI-assisted style to images and photos.
- Workout Buddy: Get a personalized spoken encouragement for your workout on Apple Watch, iPhone, AirPods.
These features are designed to improve productivity, communication, and personalization across the Apple ecosystem.
Apple iOS 26: A Leap Forward for iPhones
Below are some of the new features that will be available in iOS 26:
- Unified Call Interface: A new simple interaction that brings together your Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails for easy call management.
- Call Screening & Hold Assist: You can screen the unknown number calls and a notification will be sent when you are next in line with a live agent.
- Improved App Experience: More fluent animations, more accessible features, and a better overall experience.
Apple iOS 26 is going to be a free update for devices starting from iPhone 11 and iPhone SE 2nd generation.
MacOS Tahoe 26: Streamlined for Productivity
macOS Tahoe 26 offers multiple upgrades:
- Live Activities & Integrated Phone App: Get up-to-the minute data and manage calls efficiently .
- Enhanced Spotlight: New Spotlight delivers quicker, cleaner, and more precise search results .
- Support for Intel Mac: This would be the very last version of macOS that supports Intel-powered Macs, and only Apple Silicon will be supported thereafter for all future releases and upgrades .
WatchOS 26: Smarter Health Monitoring
On the watchOS 26, the following features are introduced:
- Sleep Score: A new scoring system that leads to insights into your sleep quality .
- Hypertension Alerts: A notification is sent in case of high blood pressure readings .
- Workout Buddy: Helped by personalized audio coaching, keep your spirits high during workouts .
Health and fitness monitoring on the Apple Watch Series 6 and later is made better with these features.
TvOS & visionOS: Enhanced Entertainment Experiences
What new changes have been brought about in tvOS 26 and visionOS 26?
- Widgets & Personas: Stay up to date with the information important to you and engage with avatars designed to look and sound more humanlike .
- Better App Navigation: Experience a more natural and responsive interaction with apps and games .
These updates improve the entertainment experience on Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro.
How to Update
Instructions to Apple iOS 26 update your device are as given below:
- iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Mac: Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Apple Watch: Use the Watch app on your iPhone to check for updates.
Before beginning with the Apple iOS 26 update, make sure that your device is connected to Wi-Fi and has enough battery.
Final Thoughts
It is a large design, intelligence, and user experience jump for Apple, in 2025, this is the Apple iOS 26 software update. Apple never fails to impress with its brilliant use of Liquid Glass together with Apple intelligence. The good news is that the offer is as wide as the need. Anyone can find something that fits his/her lifestyle from productivity, communication to entertainment.