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Early iOS 26 Software Leak Uncovers Dozens of Upcoming Apple Features

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Software from an iPhone prototype running an early build of iOS 26 leaked last week, giving us a glimpse at future Apple devices and iOS features. We recapped device codenames in our prior article, and now we have a list of some of the most notable feature flags that were found in the software code.

Apple-Logo-Top-Half.jpeg

In some cases, it's obvious what the feature flags are referring to, while some are more vague and harder to interpret. We've included the feature flag and a short explanation of what it might reference, but keep in mind that Apple doesn't provide full explanations because this is all internal code. We're working off of titles and internal organization, but there are still hints of what may be coming in the future.
Products

  • Unknown home accessory - There's a reference to J229 architecture. J229 is a home accessory, but we don't know what it is. It might be the camera that Apple is rumored to be working on, but it could also be something simpler like a standalone base for the home hub. Code references a sensor manager and sensing predict models.
  • AirTag 2 - There are several references to future AirTag features, including Bluetooth improvements, low battery state improvements, and crowdsourced location improvements. Unknown references include AirTag2025_Phone_Finding, AirTag2025_Watch_Finding, Distribution, Battery, and Switchover. Note that it mentions 2025, suggesting Apple planned to release the AirTag 2 in 2025 and pushed it back.
  • AirPods - Several AirPods features are listed with a spring 2026 launch: ContextualReminders, ConversationBreakthroughVQA, and Visual Lookup. There are also mentions of "Precise outdoor location understanding" and "Room Aware Connect Controls." There's a second fall 2025 label for "Extended_Precision_Finding_Core_Tech," and a "SRAudioMixing - Mix audio with the active streaming device" mention that could be related to the AirPods.
  • Vision Pro - There's a "Enable AUSM Enhanced Room Spatializer" feature flag, which may be released to the Vision Pro. It has a spring 2026 label.
Software Features

There are mentions of several previously rumored software features that are coming in updates to iOS 26 and in iOS 27.
  • Health+ - This is listed with a spring 2026 date. Rumors suggest it's a new AI-powered health-related subscription service. There are references to another health feature called "Gumdrop," but it's unclear what it is, plus a mention of a "Geronimo" feature with a date of 2030.
  • Live Captions - Live Captions will expand to more languages, with this code labeled WWDC 2026.
  • AutoFillUI - Third-party apps will be able to access autofill credit card information in fall 2026. Currently, you can take a picture of card details when checking out or use Apple Pay, but you can't autofill your credit card details when buying something in an app.
  • Siri - There are several mentions of Siri features for the smarter version of Siri Apple is working on. IntelligenceFlow, PlanOverrides, SpotlightPersonalAnswersSiri, SpotlightSearchToolLLMQueryUnderstanding, and SpotlightExtSemanticSearch are some of the strings. The Siri mentions have a spring 2026 label.
  • Freeform - Freeform is getting folders, with a spring 2026 date listed.
  • Journal - Followup prompts are coming to the Journal app, also in spring 2026.
  • Wallet - There are BankConnectUpcomingPaymentNotifications and AppleCardUpcomingPaymentNotifications strings with a WWDC 2026 date.
  • Photos - Apple's code mentions Photos Connections and Shared Collections as features coming in fall 2026.


  • Article Link: Early iOS 26 Software Leak Uncovers Dozens of Upcoming Apple Features
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/15/ios-software-leak-apple-features/
I can’t wait to see these mythical Siri updates. For me, Siri on iOS 26 has been the worst ever.

“Siri, call home”
Here’s what I found on the web for “call home.”

“Siri, play that Christmas song by Queen.”
Now playing Holiday by Vampire Weekend.

What the hell‽
 
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MacRumors said:
Unknown home accessory - There's a reference to J229 architecture. J229 is a home accessory, but we don't know what it is. It might be the camera that Apple is rumored to be working on, but it could also be something simpler like a standalone base for the home hub. Code references a sensor manager and sensing predict models.
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I had to dig deep, but this one will be called the iToilet and will be fully integrated with Apple iHealth.
 
Yawn. iOS 18 was a glitchy enough, battery draining, CarPlay signal dropping mess for months. Now that 18 is relatively stable there is no way in hell I’m jumping on 26 until either I have no choice or it miraculously starts getting rave reviews 🤣
 
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VERY happy to see folders coming to freeform. Without a doubt the biggest bottleneck currently. Even better would be a folder on iCloud so I can organise, back-up, tag and archive files, allowing some real power usage.
 
Here is my fix list wishlist for iOS 26:

• Improve text and button legibility by reducing transparency and increasing contrast

• Prevent background content from bleeding through UI elements

• Refine icons and controls to look sharper and more finished

• Reduce the number of taps and gestures required for common actions

• Restore or simplify access to frequently used features such as sharing, search, and settings

• Optimize animations to prioritize responsiveness over visual effects

• Fix UI animation stuttering, lag, and inconsistent behavior

• Resolve layout glitches and broken visuals in third party and system apps

• Stabilize core components such as the keyboard, notifications, and widgets

• Reduce battery drain caused by heavy UI animations

• Improve overall UI performance on older devices

• Address readability issues caused by low contrast and transparency

• Ensure accessibility is not degraded by visual design choices

Or, just revert back to iOS 18.
 
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How do people find this out? Do the search in the code?

What’s mail? Seems vague.

Are some of these these new? Some come form the conference. Wondering about others…
 
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Downundermac said:
Yawn. iOS 18 was a glitchy enough, battery draining, CarPlay signal dropping mess for months. Now that 18 is relatively stable there is no way in hell I’m jumping on 26 until either I have no choice or it miraculously starts getting rave reviews 🤣
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The Apple police will bust down your door and drag you out in the middle of the night kicking and screaming and we won’t hear from you again. Farewell Downundermac. It was nice knowing you.
 
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Zenman12 said:
The Apple police will bust down your door and drag you out in the middle of the night kicking and screaming and we won’t hear from you again. Farewell Downundermac. It was nice knowing you.
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Yea mate, I’m starting to wonder if my name will be one of the first drawn in the Hunger Games. Apple’s gold plaque gifted to the WH lunatic asylum was a dead giveaway that something is rotten 🤣
 
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Zenman12 said:
So you will finally be able to use your camera to take a picture of your own 💩 and it to be useful? Wow. 😮
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As I mentioned, there is a product/service that actually does that. The shape and color can provide insight to diet and health of the lower GI tract.
 
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