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2h ago

iOS 26 Guides Shift Focus to Hidden, High-Impact Features

Hands-on rundowns highlight lesser-known tools that streamline calls, photos, privacy, travel.

Apple’s iOS 26 update brings a new interface, smarter apps, and tools to improve iPhone usability.
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Overview

  • Beyond the Liquid Glass redesign, the latest explainers zero in on practical upgrades such as customizable snooze times, quick ringtone creation, selective text copying, PDF editing, and a mid‑screen swipe to go back.
  • Communication tools expand with live call screening that transcribes unknown callers, live translation in Phone and FaceTime, a consolidated calls view, and Hold Assist to monitor long holds and alert when a person returns.
  • Visual Intelligence analyzes screenshots for context-aware actions and allows searches via Google or ChatGPT, while Apple Intelligence extends to Shortcuts and Reminders with Image Playground, Genmoji, and automation features.
  • Maps adds a private Visited Places log and previews routine routes with delay alerts, Safari tightens privacy with anti‑fingerprinting and customizable controls, and the Weather app is reported to work offline via satellite for basic forecasts and alerts.
  • Photos introduces spatial images on iPhone 12 and newer with a simplified Camera layout, AirPods can trigger the shutter, HDR screenshots preserve display quality, and Wallet support for digital passports is limited now with TSA use planned in a future release.