iOS 26.2 Available Next Month With These 8 New Features

[MacRumors]

Apple released the first iOS 26.2 beta last week. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more.

In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date.

Below, we have highlighted eight new features coming with iOS 26.2.

Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen

A new slider in the Lock Screen customization menu lets you adjust the opacity of Liquid Glass for the clock, allowing you to decide how clear or frosted it appears.

This comes after iOS 26.1 added "Clear" and "Tinted" options for Liquid Glass overall.

Offline Lyrics in Apple Music

iOS 26.2 adds offline lyric support to Apple Music, allowing you to view a song's lyrics even when you are not connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

Sleep Score Revisions

iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2 have revised Sleep Score ranges:

• Very Low: 0-40 (previously 0-29)
• Low: 41-60 (previously 30-49)
• OK: 61-80 (previously 50-69)
• High: 81-95 (previously 70-89)
• Very High: 96-100 (previously 90-100)

Apple says sleep scores are calculated based on how long you slept, the consistency of when you fell asleep, and the frequency and duration of waking up during the night. The feature is available in the Health app on all iPhone models compatible with iOS 26, and in the Sleep app on all Apple Watch models compatible with watchOS 26.

Alarms for Reminders

iOS 26.2 lets you set alarms for reminders in Apple's Reminders app.

When adding a reminder, selecting a time and then toggling on the "Urgent" option will cause an alarm to go off at the designated time.

Apple Podcasts Enhancements

Apple's Podcasts app has three new features on iOS 26.2, including automatic chapters for episodes, timed links on the screen, and the ability to view other podcasts that a podcast mentions right from the audio player and the transcript.

Apple News Revamp

In the Apple News app, there is now a dedicated "Following" tab, and buttons for quick access to topics like sports, puzzles, politics, business, and food.

iPhone Screen Flash for Notifications

Starting with iOS 26.2, your iPhone's screen can flash when you receive a notification. Previously, this setting was limited to the LED camera flash on the back of the iPhone.

In the Settings app, under Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Flash for Alerts, there are now options for LED Flash, Screen, and Both. Or, you can keep the setting turned off.

AirPods Live Translation in EU

iOS 26.2 makes Live Translation on AirPods available in the EU.

Live Translation allows you to understand someone who is speaking a different language than you. For example, if you speak English, and someone is speaking to you in French, Siri can tell you what they are saying in English through your AirPods.

The feature works best when both participants in a conversation are using Live Translation on AirPods. If you are talking with someone who is not wearing AirPods, you can display a live transcription in the other person's language on your iPhone.

Live Translation is available on the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and higher-end AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. The feature launched in the U.S. and select other countries with iOS 26, but it was not available in the EU until iOS 26.2, as Apple said it needed additional time to ensure compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act.

• iOS 26: Use Live Translation With AirPods

In addition to compatible AirPods, users need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer with Apple Intelligence turned on and Apple's Translate app installed.

As of iOS 26.1, Live Translation on AirPods supports the following languages:

• English (U.S.)
• English (U.K.)
• French (France)
• German (Germany)
• Portuguese (Brazil)
• Spanish (Spain)
• Chinese — Simplified (China)
• Chinese — Traditional (China)
• Japanese
• Korean
• Italian

iOS 26 also has a built-in Live Translation feature in the Messages, Phone, and FaceTime apps, with no AirPods required.

Article Link: iOS 26.2 Available Next Month With These 8 New Features

 

[jazzwill]

Is anyone else having issues with iOS 26 rendering SLOOOWWW? I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max and when opening/unlocking the phone I can see the app icons rendering rather than a fast response. Anyone else seeing this? Makes the os seem bloated.

 

[CheesePuff]

I can’t get podcast chapters to show I’ve tried a handful of different episodes?

 

[winxmac]

Flash the screen for alerts at night in a completely dark room and you're about to sleep.

Photosensitive epilepsy

 

[dubiousgif]

Did 26.1 break Charge Limit for anyone else? In previous versions it hasn’t worked once in a while but this is the first time it consistently doesn’t work. I toggled it off and on and rebooted multiple times.

Edit: It’s working now. Missed where it said “iPhone will occasionally charge to 100% even if the charge limit is set below 100%.”

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Did Apple fix the issue where the News homepage leaves a big a** blank square if you have unfollowed/blocked a news source?

 

[capamac]

iOS 26: When Apple decided that being able to see your wallpaper was the absolute No. 1 priority.

 

[pbau]

Hope they add Polish for Live Translation and transcription for polish podcasts as well.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Nothing really big for me, but alarm for reminders is something useful. By the way my iPhone 16 Pro Max battery life under iOS 26 still is somewhat unsatisfactory. Same for my iPad Pro M4.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Looking forward to iOS 27 personally.

 

[bmark]

Is anyone else having issues with iOS 26 rendering SLOOOWWW? I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max and when opening/unlocking the phone I can see the app icons rendering rather than a fast response. Anyone else seeing this? Makes the os seem bloated.

It's been that way since day 1! iOS 26 is slow as molasses.

 

[tim916]

Alarms for reminders will useful

 

[sonicrobby]

Passport in Wallet please!

 

[August West]

iOS 26: When Apple decided that being able to see your wallpaper was the absolute No. 1 priority.
View attachment 2578466

Apple's new design language. Form Over Function. Next, completely invisible graphics so you can stare at your wonderful background unimpeded by unnecessary elements that just get in the way.

 

[applesith]

I am still not interested in upgrading to iOS 26 - iPadOS 26 is good for multitasking, but the interface is so blah. Too many negative experiences and bugs with iOS 26.

 

[guzhogi]

Offline Lyrics in Apple Music

iOS 26.2 adds offline lyric support to Apple Music, allowing you to view a song's lyrics even when you are not connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

That's pretty cool. Sorry if I missed it, but is there a way to bulk add lyrics to music that you've ripped from CDs? I have a bunch of albums not available on Apple Music, and would love to get the lyrics to them, just like how I'm able to get the track names, and occasionally the album art for them? That would be SUPER useful, especially if timed with the actual lyrics.

 

[cybercommand]

Oh wow, a transparency slider for the lock screen. 🙄

 

[sziehr]

the only thing we all want is battery life and it to stop stuttering

 

[mansplains]

For example, if you speak English, and someone is speaking to you in French

This is a poor example because no one wants to hear what the French have to say (being French myself)

 

[mansplains]

iOS 26: When Apple decided that being able to see your wallpaper was the absolute No. 1 priority.

View attachment 2578466

You’re supposed to buy an Apple Watch if you want to know the time.

 

[Unami]

Is anyone else having issues with iOS 26 rendering SLOOOWWW? I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max and when opening/unlocking the phone I can see the app icons rendering rather than a fast response. Anyone else seeing this? Makes the os seem bloated.

I also have hiccups kn the ipad pro M5 from faceid or returning to the homescreen taking a second after unlocking to actually sometimes seing icons redraw as you mentioned. On a freaking M5!

I don't care about those ridiculous small feature additiins, but maybe some bug-hunting would be in order? 26.1. made things better, but at that pace, half of the bugs will still be there in iOS 27 and then be forgotten and never fixed.

 

[Rafagon]

Is anyone else having issues with iOS 26 rendering SLOOOWWW? I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max and when opening/unlocking the phone I can see the app icons rendering rather than a fast response. Anyone else seeing this? Makes the os seem bloated.

I've seen this on a couple of occasions. On the 17 Pro Max. You see the icons in the folders being rendered one by one. I used to think it was only after changing the icon view (like black and white, tinted, or going from dark to light mode), but I've seen it even without such a change happening. You're right, this is less than ideal from such a high-end device.

 

[Agent007]

Makes the os seem bloated.

Seem? Apple literally prevents users from deleting pre-installed apps they don't use. A "feature" they brought to MacOS years ago for NO REASON (besides forcing more overpriced SSD upgrades). Their software is bloated across the board.

 

[Rafagon]

Apple released the first iOS 26.2 beta last week. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more.

In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date.

Below, we have highlighted eight new features coming with iOS 26.2.

Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen

A new slider in the Lock Screen customization menu lets you adjust the opacity of Liquid Glass for the clock, allowing you to decide how clear or frosted it appears.

This comes after iOS 26.1 added "Clear" and "Tinted" options for Liquid Glass overall.

Offline Lyrics in Apple Music

iOS 26.2 adds offline lyric support to Apple Music, allowing you to view a song's lyrics even when you are not connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

Sleep Score Revisions

iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2 have revised Sleep Score ranges:

• Very Low: 0-40 (previously 0-29)
  
• Low: 41-60 (previously 30-49)
  
• OK: 61-80 (previously 50-69)
  
• High: 81-95 (previously 70-89)
  
• Very High: 96-100 (previously 90-100)

Apple says sleep scores are calculated based on how long you slept, the consistency of when you fell asleep, and the frequency and duration of waking up during the night. The feature is available in the Health app on all iPhone models compatible with iOS 26, and in the Sleep app on all Apple Watch models compatible with watchOS 26.

Alarms for Reminders

iOS 26.2 lets you set alarms for reminders in Apple's Reminders app.

When adding a reminder, selecting a time and then toggling on the "Urgent" option will cause an alarm to go off at the designated time.

Apple Podcasts Enhancements

Apple's Podcasts app has three new features on iOS 26.2, including automatic chapters for episodes, timed links on the screen, and the ability to view other podcasts that a podcast mentions right from the audio player and the transcript.

Apple News Revamp

In the Apple News app, there is now a dedicated "Following" tab, and buttons for quick access to topics like sports, puzzles, politics, business, and food.

iPhone Screen Flash for Notifications

Starting with iOS 26.2, your iPhone's screen can flash when you receive a notification. Previously, this setting was limited to the LED camera flash on the back of the iPhone.

In the Settings app, under Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Flash for Alerts, there are now options for LED Flash, Screen, and Both. Or, you can keep the setting turned off.

AirPods Live Translation in EU

iOS 26.2 makes Live Translation on AirPods available in the EU.

Live Translation allows you to understand someone who is speaking a different language than you. For example, if you speak English, and someone is speaking to you in French, Siri can tell you what they are saying in English through your AirPods.

The feature works best when both participants in a conversation are using Live Translation on AirPods. If you are talking with someone who is not wearing AirPods, you can display a live transcription in the other person's language on your iPhone.

Live Translation is available on the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and higher-end AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. The feature launched in the U.S. and select other countries with iOS 26, but it was not available in the EU until iOS 26.2, as Apple said it needed additional time to ensure compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act.

• iOS 26: Use Live Translation With AirPods

In addition to compatible AirPods, users need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer with Apple Intelligence turned on and Apple's Translate app installed.

As of iOS 26.1, Live Translation on AirPods supports the following languages:

• English (U.S.)
  
• English (U.K.)
  
• French (France)
  
• German (Germany)
  
• Portuguese (Brazil)
  
• Spanish (Spain)
  
• Chinese — Simplified (China)
  
• Chinese — Traditional (China)
  
• Japanese
  
• Korean
  
• Italian

iOS 26 also has a built-in Live Translation feature in the Messages, Phone, and FaceTime apps, with no AirPods required.

Article Link: iOS 26.2 Available Next Month With These 8 New Features

I don't agree that "Live Translation in the EU" is a "new feature" like the article title says. I already have this feature in the USA. It is not a new feature for me and everyone else here. It's just an existing feature expanded to a new area, and Apple shouldn't get patted on the back for this, nor should this article have become longer to mention this, either. It was Apple's responsibility all along to expand features to all areas. They're just slow to get things done.

Seven new features, only seven new features.

 

[Astrohunter]

I want to see home screen instantly after unlocking my phone, not massive lag.

Or is my iPhone 13 Max not good enough anymore?