iOS 19/iOS 26 launch date, beta, compatibility & new iPhone options

Yearly in June, we’re launched to the subsequent model of iOS, Apple’s iPhone working system, throughout the keynote handle that kicks off WWDC (Apple’s worldwide builders convention). Through the occasion Apple will reveal some, or all, of the brand new options coming to iPhones later within the 12 months.

On this article we’ll run by way of what we all know in regards to the new options coming within the subsequent model of iOS. Maybe the most important shock of all is that every one indications are that it received’t be known as iOS 19 this time. As a substitute Apple will identify the brand new launch in keeping with the 12 months – so count on it to be known as iOS 26. Extra on that under.

iOS 26 most likely received’t arrive on appropriate iPhones till this September, however you don’t have to attend till then to expertise the brand new options. Yearly Apple runs a beta-testing program the place builders and anybody who indicators up for the beta can check out the software program earlier than it’s launched following the Apple iPhone Occasion in September. If you wish to be part of that beta testing program you will discover details about how to take action under, together with when the primary iOS 26 beta can be accessible.

New iOS launch date: When is the brand new iOS replace popping out?

Our first glimpse of iOS 19 – we must always most likely simply get used to calling it iOS 26 – can be at WWDC25 on June 9, after which the working system can be in beta till Apple releases it to the general public within the fall.

Apple sometimes releases the brand new model of iOS to the general public on the Monday following the launch of the brand new iPhone. Based mostly on latest historical past, we count on iOS 19 to launch to the general public across the time of the on both Monday, September 15, or Monday, September 22.

Listed below are the discharge dates for the newest variations of iOS:

• iOS 18: Monday, September 16, 2024
• iOS 17: Monday, September 18, 2023
• iOS 16: Monday, September 12, 2022
• iOS 15: Monday, September 20, 2021

New iOS identify: The brand new iOS might be known as iOS 26, not iOS 14

Apple’s identify for the subsequent iOS has at all times been predictable. iOS 4 was adopted by 5, 6, 7 and so forth. The present iOS is iOS 18, so the subsequent one can be iOS 19 proper? Apparently not! All indications are that iOS 19 received’t be known as iOS 19 in any respect, as an alternative it is going to be iOS 26.

A Could 28 story from Bloomberg says Apple goes to unify all its numerous working system names/variations, taking a web page from automobile fashions and utilizing the approaching 12 months as a foundation. iOS 19 would then be iOS 26, whereas macOS 16 could be macOS 26, with tvOS 26 and watchOS 26 and visionOS 26…

It’s an extended overdue change, if true.

New iOS Developer and Public Betas

The total model of iOS 19/iOS 26 will launch in September, however you received’t have to attend till then to strive the brand new software program out. Apple’s developer beta and public beta can be operating all through the summer time months, so if you wish to check out the brand new options earlier than they’re launched to most of the people you are able to do so.

After Apple proclaims the brand new model of iOS at WWDC in June it is going to then launch an iOS Beta to builders. This 12 months the WWDC keynote will happen on June 9 so we count on the developer beta can be accessible that day. The general public beta often comes a month later, across the starting of July.

Between WWDC and the official launch within the fall, Apple will launch a string of beta releases, sometimes eight or so in whole. We share particulars of be part of Apple’s beta software program program so you possibly can check the brand new software program as quickly because the beta arrives, individually.

Anybody utilizing the beta is inspired to file bug stories utilizing the included Apple’s Suggestions Assistant app in order that the corporate can handle them. If you wish to be taught extra in regards to the beta learn: What’s within the newest iOS beta and get it.

iOS 19/26 Compatibility: Which iPhones will get with the brand new iOS?

Three iPhone fashions are reportedly about to lose iOS assist. These are the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. This rumor comes from an nameless X account with a powerful observe document of correct predictions. So it could be true.

Nonetheless, there was a report in December 2024 that advised iOS 19 can be appropriate with each iPhone that helps iOS 18. That features:

• iPhone 16 / iPhone 16e / iPhone 16 Plus / iPhone 16 Professional / iPhone 16 Professional Max
• iPhone 15 / iPhone 15 Plus / iPhone 15 Professional / iPhone 15 Professional Max
• iPhone 14 / Cellphone 14 Plus / iPhone 14 Professional / iPhone 14 Professional Max
• iPhone 13 / iPhone 13 mini / iPhone 13 Professional / iPhone 13 Professional Max
• iPhone 12 / iPhone 12 mini / iPhone 12 Professional / iPhone 12 Professional Max
• iPhone 11 / iPhone 11 Professional / iPhone 11 Professional Max
• iPhone XS / iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone SE (third and 2nd technology)

After all, it is going to additionally assist the brand new iPhone 17 fashions that may launch across the identical time.

As at all times, some options received’t be accessible on older fashions, as they lack the {hardware} sources for it. Apple Intelligence options are already incompatible with all however the iPhone 15 Professional, 15 Professional Max and your complete iPhone 16 vary, so we don’t count on it to be any completely different if Apple roles out any extra Apple Intelligence associated options and enhancements. Verify which is the most recent iOS model your iPhone can run for extra info.

iOS 19/iOS 26: New options

Whereas Apple hasn’t formally introduced iOS 19/iOS 26 but, it has been onerous at work on the massive iPhone improve for fairly some time and a few rumors have began to leak out. It appears to be like like the subsequent model of iOS can be an even bigger change than we’re used to, at the very least visually. Based mostly on essentially the most dependable leaks and rumors, right here’s what you possibly can count on when it arrives later this 12 months.

All the brand new options received’t include that preliminary launch; over the months that comply with the preliminary launch extra options can be pushed out to iPhones in iOS 19.1, 19.2, and so forth. Or…

Main design overhaul

The headline characteristic of iOS 19/26 (and Apple’s different working techniques iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26) is claimed to be a large change to the consumer interface design. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who appears to be properly related relating to this type of factor, says the star of WWDC would be the new design – code-named Solarium. Apparently, we’re speaking in regards to the largest change since iOS 7, when Apple dropped the skeuomorphic design in favor of flat symbolic icons, modified the lock display, notifications, and extra.

We don’t know what this new interface will appear to be or what interplay adjustments it is going to carry with it, however the rumors say it’s loosely primarily based on a few of the ideas within the Imaginative and prescient Professional interface. Gurman claims it’s “is slicker and extra trendy” resulting from adopting components from visionOS. Suppose circles fairly than squares as that appears to be the theme.

New apps like Apple Invitations and Apple Sports activities might give us some clues to the interface conventions we are able to count on, as they don’t have have interfaces that slot in with most of Apple’s older apps.

Apple

Gurman additionally says “consistency and unification throughout the working techniques” can be a significant theme of WWDC. Which signifies that there can be extra consistency throughout iPhone, iPad, and Mac, together with a significant enchancment to the productiveness options of iPadOS.

For instance, one rumor says the iPad will get a menu bar when docked to a Magic Keyboard, and that Stage Supervisor is being overhauled. The iPhone, in the meantime, is claimed to get a “Stage Supervisor like” multi-app view when hooked as much as an exterior show.

It’s not simply the plain working techniques both. 9to5Mac stories that CarPlay is getting a UI design to match iOS 26.

Siri delays and different Apple Intelligence options

Apple has been having hassle with a few of it’s AI efforts, particularly the Siri options that had been supposed to come back in iOS 18.4 (private context, display consciousness, and in-app actions). These options have been pushed again till subsequent 12 months, which implies they need to come as an replace to iOS 19 in early 2026.

An even bigger Siri replace, primarily based on massive language fashions (LLMs), that may maintain pure conversations with the consumer, is now so delayed that it’s anticipated to come back maybe as a part of iOS 20, the place it was as soon as considered an replace to iOS 19.

No less than Siri will lastly get the brand new capabilities that we had been imagined to have by now. Apple can also be stated to be increasing using Apple Intelligence in additional of its apps. We haven’t heard of particular examples, however Apple Intelligence might be used for issues like Apple Music playlist technology, suggesting apps within the App Retailer, or within the Well being and Health apps.

Nonetheless, we might not hear of any AI-related options at WWDC25. In a late Could report, Bloomberg’s Gurman stated Apple received’t ship “any AI breakthroughs” at WWDC.

Stage Supervisor for iPhone

We’ve heard rumors in a number of locations that Apple is engaged on an enormous Stage Supervisor replace for iPad and Mac. From 9to5Mac we get a touch that it’d even work on iPhone (if not on a regular basis, then at the very least with an exterior show related).

Stage Supervisor ought to permit for rather more versatile placement and sizing of home windows within the new model. For iPads, you may even see a Menu bar when the iPad is docked right into a keyboard.

“Powered by Apple Intelligence”

Rumors say one of many recurring themes of iOS 19/26 goes to be a lot of options that Apple markets as “Powered by Apple Intelligence.” These received’t all be generative-AI options, however fairly embrace most of the type of AI-powered options Apple has employed for years throughout its apps.

Some Apple Watch options can be promoted this fashion, although the AI fashions themselves will run in your iPhone, with the Apple Watch merely serving as your wrist-bound interface to it.

One other instance is a new battery saving mode that may use AI to investigate your utilization patterns to resolve when it might probably decrease the ability draw of sure functions or options to avoid wasting battery with out impacting the consumer expertise.

A new Calendar app primarily based on Mayday app (which Apple acquired final 12 months) depends on AI to assist handle your calendar.

9to5Mac stories that Messages will be capable of routinely translate messages utilizing AI. Messages can even let customers create polls.

RCS 3.0

Apple’s present implementation of RCS (Wealthy Communication Companies, used to supply extra superior texting options with Android customers) relies on the GSMA Common Profile model 2.4, which is a little bit dated. Model 2.7 got here out final 12 months, however hasn’t been applied by Apple but. It provides assist for customized emoji reactions, modifying and deleting messages, and improved spam dealing with. RCS 3.0 provides encryption for 1-to-1 messages.

Apple has introduced assist for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages on all it’s platforms “in future software program updates,” so it’s seemingly so as to add assist for all of the options in RCS 2.7 and three.0 within the iOS 19 cycle.

AirPods reside translation

One rumor from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says iOS 19 goes to get “bolstered translation expertise” and, as a part of it a reside translation characteristic for AirPods. The AirPods will want a firmware replace as properly, and it’s not clear which fashions will assist the characteristic.

Your AirPods would ship textual content to your iPhone the place the overseas language could be acknowledged and translated within the Translate app (or the under-the-hood service that powers it), and translated audio despatched again to your AirPods. Different earbuds have had comparable options for years, so it is going to be fascinating to see if Apple goes additional or has superior performance.

Accessibility options

Apple has introduced that a number of accessibility options can be coming to iOS 19 within the fall. Among the many new additions are Accessibility Vitamin Labels let customers see whether or not an app can be accessible to them earlier than they obtain it; Braille Entry, which turns the iPhone right into a “full-featured Braille notice taker,” and Accessibility Reader, a brand new studying mode with font, coloration, and spacing choices.

iOS 19/iOS 26: App updates

With every iteration of the iPhone working system Apple often offers a few of the included apps some consideration, and typically introduces new ones. This 12 months the next updates are anticipated.

Residence app upgrades

Whereas not particularly talked about in any of the present leaks or rumors, we discover it onerous to consider that Apple received’t have some important enhancements to the Residence app, HomeKit, and associated companies in iOS 19.

Why? Effectively, Apple is anticipated to launch a wave of latest good house merchandise all through 2025 and 2026. A brand new Apple good house hub is first: it’s rumored to be an inexpensive 7-inch pill that runs a customized working system (code-named Pebble). It would assist Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and tie in with different Apple companies however isn’t anticipated to have an App Retailer.

After that, seemingly in 2026, Apple is claimed to be engaged on a brand new indoor good safety digicam and a wise doorbell that might use Face ID to unlock your door the best way it unlocks your cellphone. Additional down the highway, a wise house product with a movable display on a robotic arm has been rumored, all of which would require deep integration with the iPhone and Residence app.

The rumored “HomePad” was rumored to launch within the spring of 2025, however was delayed to the autumn so it might probably have an interface that aligns with the massive iOS 19 / macOS 15 interface adjustments. It’s onerous to think about Apple pushing a product like that into the market with out some important adjustments to the feel and appear of the Residence app. Examine each new Apple product coming in 2025.

Up to date Digicam app

Jon Prosser claims to have seen the brand new Digicam app in iOS 19, which is totally redesigned with a considerably visionOS-inspired design. Choices are condensed, the viewfinder takes up more room, and there’s plenty of transparency.

The Photographic Types characteristic might come to video, too.

Gaming app

iOS 19 will reportedly embrace a devoted gaming app, in accordance with a report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. The App can even be accessible for Mac, iPad, and Apple TV, it’s claimed.

The app is claimed to faucet into the App Retailer’s video games part and Apple Arcade, supply editorial content material about new video games, and centralize all the pieces at the moment present in Recreation Heart. The Mac model of the app will “faucet into video games downloaded outdoors of the App Retailer,” in accordance with Gurman. 

Music and full-screen animated lock display art work

9to5Mac stories that animated album artwork will now show on the lock display when utilizing the Music app.

Notes and Markdown assist

9to5Mac additionally stories that customers will be capable of format their entries within the Notes app by utilizing Markdown syntax.

Well being app updates

The Well being app might get some new options, in accordance with Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in a March e-newsletter, although these will not be anticipated to be accessible at launch. Apparently we might get an AI-powered well being coach that may give us personalised suggestions and warnings. These might come within the type of movies about wholesome consuming and coronary heart illness.

There’s additionally a suggestion that we might see meals monitoring added to the Well being app.