Apple has rolled out the latest versions of its software platforms — iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 — marking one of the most expansive upgrades to the Apple ecosystem in recent years. These updates bring a unified design language called Liquid Glass, expanded Apple Intelligence features, and dozens of powerful tools across devices, transforming everyday experiences for users.
At the heart of this refresh is a striking new design language known as Liquid Glass. This translucent material reflects and refracts its surroundings dynamically, making apps and system elements feel more alive. It brings greater focus to content while maintaining the familiar structure users expect. For the first time, Apple has introduced a design system that spans across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS simultaneously, creating a visually harmonious experience whether on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Apple Vision Pro.
iOS 26
On iPhone, iOS 26 introduces a wide range of everyday improvements. Users can customise their Lock Screen with adaptive time layouts and immersive 3D spatial scenes, while new call management tools like Call Screening and Hold Assist help reduce interruptions and make dealing with unknown callers far easier. Messages receives a major boost with features such as polls, custom backgrounds, and improved screening for unknown senders.
Apple Music now supports Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation, Apple Maps adds a Visited Places feature, and Wallet introduces integrated order tracking. AirPods gain creator-focused tools such as remote Camera control and higher-quality audio recording, while the new Apple Games app serves as a hub for discovering and playing favourite titles.
iPadOS 26
iPadOS 26 takes a huge leap forward, transforming iPad productivity. The standout addition is an entirely new windowing system that makes multitasking and switching between apps far more intuitive.
A new menu bar provides quick access to commands, while folders in the Dock streamline navigation across documents and downloads. The Preview app arrives on iPad, finally giving users a native tool to edit PDFs with Apple Pencil markup and AutoFill.
Power users benefit from features like Background Tasks, advanced audio input controls, and professional-grade local recording capabilities. The Journal app also makes its debut on iPad, making it easier than ever to capture everyday experiences.
macOS Tahoe 26
On Mac, macOS Tahoemodernizes the desktop experience with both aesthetic refinements and significant productivity upgrades. The transparent menu bar gives a more expansive feel, and users gain new personalisation options for folders, widgets, and Control Centre. Spotlight receives its biggest update yet, with new browsing views, enhanced search, and quick keys that instantly execute actions like sending an email or creating a calendar event. Continuity brings the familiar iPhone Phone app to Mac, complete with Call Screening and Hold Assist, while Live Activities from iPhone now appear in the Mac menu bar for real-time updates at a glance.
tvOS 26
tvOS 26 elevates the Apple TV experience with more social and interactive features. Sing in Apple Music transforms iPhones into wireless microphones for karaoke sessions, while friends can join in with their own devices to queue songs or react in real time. FaceTime Contact Posters simplify calling directly from the living room, and updated user profiles make it easier to return to personalised playlists and recommendations.
watchOS 26
watchOS 26 further strengthens Apple Watch as a personal health companion. The new sleep score feature offers deeper insights into rest quality, while FDA-cleared hypertension notifications can detect signs of high blood pressure, potentially prompting lifesaving behavioural changes or treatments. Workout Buddy delivers dynamic coaching during exercise, while new tools like Smart Stack hints and one-handed wrist flick gestures make daily interactions easier. Live Translation now works directly in Messages on Apple Watch, and the Notes app arrives for quick access to thoughts on the go. New watch faces, including Flow and Exactograph, add fresh personality to the device.
visionOS 26
For Apple Vision Pro, visionOS 26 brings groundbreaking spatial experiences. Widgets can now be placed directly into a user’s environment and reappear every time the headset is worn, while new, more expressive Personas make digital interactions more natural. Spatial scenes bring photos to life with depth and realism, while spatial browsing in Safari lets developers embed 3D objects directly into web pages. Vision Pro now supports playback of immersive 180-degree and 360-degree videos from cameras like GoPro and Canon, expanding how action content can be experienced. A new Jupiter Environment even lets users accelerate time to witness the planet’s massive storms in motion.
Accessibility: Designed for Everyone
Accessibility also sees meaningful upgrades. The App Store now displays Accessibility Nutrition Labels to highlight supported features before downloading. A new Accessibility Reader provides flexible options for fonts, colours, spacing, and spoken content. Users with braille displays can take advantage of Braille Access, and those who are deaf or hard of hearing benefit from new Live Listen and Live Caption features on Apple Watch.
Availability
All updates — iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 — are available today as free software upgrades. While some features may be region-specific, Apple users worldwide can immediately begin exploring a bold new era of design, intelligence, and productivity across all devices.
