Apple Inc. released iOS 26 across India today, introducing what the company calls its most significant design overhaul since iOS 7.
The update began rolling out at 10:30 p.m. IST, bringing the revolutionary “Liquid Glass” interface and enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities to millions of iPhone users nationwide.
The launch marks a major milestone in Apple’s software evolution, featuring a completely new design language that extends across the entire iOS ecosystem. The Liquid Glass material creates translucent, glass-like effects that dynamically adapt to surrounding content and shift between light and dark environments.
“This represents our broadest software design update ever,” said Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design. The update combines optical qualities of glass with fluid animations that transform based on content and context.
Design system overhaul
The centerpiece of iOS 26 is the Liquid Glass design system, developed through collaboration between Apple’s design and engineering teams. The material uses real-time rendering and reacts to movement with specular highlights, creating what Apple calls “a lively experience” across iPhones.
The design extends from interface elements like buttons and switches to larger components including tab bars, sidebars and system experiences such as the Lock Screen and Control Center.
The visual overhaul includes redesigned app icons that can display in clear, translucent appearances alongside existing light, dark and colored options. On the Lock Screen, the time display is crafted from Liquid Glass and adapts to fit behind photo subjects, while notifications avoid obscuring key parts of wallpaper images.
Communication and AI enhancements
iOS 26 introduces Call Screening functionality that prompts unknown callers to state their name and reason for calling before connecting, alongside Hold Assist which automatically waits on customer service lines and notifies users when an agent becomes available.
Live Translation capabilities now work directly within Messages, FaceTime and Phone calls, providing real-time text and audio translations using on-device processing. The Messages app receives upgrades including customizable conversation backgrounds, polls for group chats and improved inbox management that automatically sorts unknown senders into separate folders.
Device compatibility
iOS 26 supports iPhone models from the iPhone 11 series through the newly launched iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone SE second generation and later. Apple discontinued support for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR, which will remain on iOS 18.
Users can download the update by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update on their devices. Apple recommends ensuring devices have at least 50% battery charge, sufficient storage space and a stable Wi-Fi connection before beginning installation. The update process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
