Updated Nov. 17 with more details of the upcoming release.
Apple’s next iPhone software release, unless there’s a minor bug fix beforehand, will be iOS 26.2. It’s becoming clearer exactly when it will land and we now have more details of what will almost certainly be in it, including intriguing new features.
Apple iOS 26.2 Release Date
Apple has already let slip that the next major iPhone update will land in December 2025 by confirming that Live Translation on AirPods will be release in the EU then. Since it’s overwhelmingly likely that this new element could only come in a big-number release, that points to it being iOS 26.2.
In recent years, the x.2 release has been as early as Dec. 10, but I think this year, since the current iOS 26.1 release came a few days later than in 2024, for instance, we’re looking at the following week, while still being mid-December.
That means Monday, Dec. 15 or Tuesday, Dec. 16 seem prime candidates, though the Wednesday that week isn’t impossible. I think the following week may be too near to the holidays for such a big release, but we’ll see.
Apple iOS 26.2: The Latest Features
A pinch of salt here: new elements have appeared in the second developer beta of iOS 26.2 and while they are likely to make it to the final release, there’s always the possibility they could be held over if Apple feels they’re not ready. Here’s what I think will make the cut.
Live Translation with AirPods arrives for EU customers, but at the same time it seems that Wi-Fi network synchronization for iPhone and Apple Watch will be removed as part of Apple’s reaction to the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act.
The Sleep Score (collected on the Apple Watch and shared to the iPhone) will be rejigged to make it less generous. In other words, where a score of 70-89 out of 100 currently falls into the High category, this will be reserved for scores of 81-95. Don’t worry, you’re not sleeping worse, but Apple wants to be more realistic.
Reminders will have an Urgent option that will set an alarm on the iPhone as the item is almost due.
There will be further enhancements to Liquid Glass, with the capability to switch between clear and tinted designs being more widely deployed and a slider to adjust the transparency of the clock on the lock screen.
As Trusted Reviews commented on the slider: “It sounds tiny, and technically, it is, but it fixes one of Liquid Glass’s most common complaints: the time becoming unreadable when translucent numbers blend into a busy wallpaper.”
The Measure app will add a Liquid Glass design to it as well.
The Games app will add new ways to navigate, by sorting games and filtering in different ways. It will also update scores in real time during playback.
Apple Music lyrics will be available offline for songs in your library. There’s likely to be a redesign for Apple News with quick links to sections of the app and more features in Podcastsinclude chapters generated by AI. CarPlay will have an option to disable pinned conversations in Messages.
There’ll be more to come before the December launch. I’ll add details as they are revealed.
