Updated Dec. 1 with further details of what’s coming in iOS 26.2 and when we’ll know if there’s an iOS 18 update coming.
Apple’s latest iPhone software cycle, iOS 26, is well underway. The next update, iOS 26.2 unless there’s a pesky bug that needs squishing before that, will introduce new features, and may be the time that iOS 18 holdouts will have to upgrade. Here’s all you need to know.
iOS 26.2 Release Date
The expected arrival date for the next update hasn’t changed. It’s mid-December, unless there’s a hiccup. I’m still plumping for Monday, Dec. 15 or Tuesday, Dec. 16. If it were delayed until even a little later, it could be bumped to January, but I’m not expecting that. Such a delay could happen because Apple is scrupulous about avoiding updates close to public holidays — there was no developer or public release over Thanksgiving week, for instance.
So far, there is no indication that the update is delayed at all — it could even arrive sooner than Dec. 15, so reports of hold-ups are wide of the mark so far, though that could change. Any issue will become apparent soon, as the release candidate is expected to be imminent, so if that doesn’t happen when it’s expected, we’ll have a further clue as to timing. I’ll update this if it looks like the date is slipping.
iOS 26.2: Will There Be An iOS 18 Alternative?
When iOS 26.2 arrives, will there be an update that will allow your iPhone to stay secure without you having to switch to iOS 26? After all, when iOS 26.1 arrived, it was followed a few days later by iOS 18.7.2, which provided security fixes but no new features, suitable for users who weren’t ready to climb aboard with iOS 26 until they were sure it was stable.
There’s every chance that iOS 18.7.2 could be the last iOS 18 update for a while, with security updates to follow only sporadically. It’ll become clear in the days or week after iOS 26.2 lands.
iOS 26.2: What’s In The New Release
The next update will have plenty of new features. Many of them are small tweaks — the big update to Siri isn’t expected until 2026, for instance — plus, of course, security updates and bug fixes.
There’s a lot coming, starting with tweaks to the look of Liquid Glass, according to the current developer and public betas. A slider for the lock screen will let users adjust the transparency of the effect, and it’ll be introduced into the Measure app. New animations are promised in the menus.
A big change is coming to AirDrop so that if you want to share something with a person who’s not in your contacts, you can create a one-time code. That means you don’t have to make AirDrop accessible to all even for 10 minutes.
Apple Music lyrics (my go-to for private karaoke sessions) will be available offline, too. The Sleep Score will be adjusted to the figure it comes up with will be lower. Don’t be put off, see it as a challenge to sleep even better!
The Podcasts app is expected to see several improvements, such as audio divided into chapters using Apple Intelligence, so it’s easier to find the bit you want to listen to, and a feature called Podcast Mentions which lets you connect to other podcasts or episodes mentioned in what you’re listening to.
Users in Japan will have the capability to set the side button to launch voice assistants other than Siri. This may come to the EU and possibly more widely as well. More on that here.
The features list isn’t set yet as the beta releases continue. I’ll report back as more details emerge.
