Apple begins iOS 26 rollout with Liquid Glass UI and AI features

Apple began rolling out iOS 26 to compatible iPhones on Monday, September 15, delivering the companys most extensive visual overhaul in more than a decade alongside a raft of new features and systemwide artificial intelligence enhancements. The update, available through Settings > General > Software Update, brings the new Liquid Glass interface, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, upgraded communication tools and several battery and phone-management improvements to devices running iPhone 11 or later and recent iPhone SE models.

Apple described Liquid Glass as a translucent, glasslike material that refracts and reflects on-screen content, affecting menus, controls, widgets and app icons across iOS and companion updates for iPadOS, macOS Tahoe, watchOS, visionOS and tvOS. The company has also pushed Apple Intelligence into more places, adding live translation in Messages, FaceTime and Phone, expanded Visual Intelligence for screenshots, and generative features such as updated Genmoji and Image Playground. Other headline changes include a call screening feature that asks unknown callers to explain why they are calling, a revamped Phone app with Hold Assist, interactive polls...