My wife says it looks dumb. I agree.
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iOS 26 Features: The Ultimate Mega Guide
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This afternoon, when I updated all my Apple devices, and saw the new design everywhere, along with the inconsistent transparencies, the reduced readability, and nonsensical white edges around icons, widgets, and notifications, not to mention the stuttering animations, the bloated system data, the overheating phone -- I sighed.
I was not angry, or even disappointed, but I hung my head and whispered, "That's just like Apple." For they have been like this for many years now.
Rather, the update compelled me to think about life. Why do we fix what is not broken? And why do we break that which we have fixed? With S.O.S d'un terrien en détresse playing in the background, I looked at the screen again. What is this? What have I been doing with my life?
Then I came to the conclusion. Perhaps the new design is not about better visuals, improved functionality, more intuitive interface -- we know it is none of that. But maybe, just maybe, liquid glass is about the broken pieces of ourselves that we lost along the way. It reminds us to put down our now ruined devices, go outside, and take a walk. Listen to the birds sing. Watch the kids play. Visit your friends.
Then come back and complain on MacRumors.
I was not angry, or even disappointed, but I hung my head and whispered, "That's just like Apple." For they have been like this for many years now.
Rather, the update compelled me to think about life. Why do we fix what is not broken? And why do we break that which we have fixed? With S.O.S d'un terrien en détresse playing in the background, I looked at the screen again. What is this? What have I been doing with my life?
Then I came to the conclusion. Perhaps the new design is not about better visuals, improved functionality, more intuitive interface -- we know it is none of that. But maybe, just maybe, liquid glass is about the broken pieces of ourselves that we lost along the way. It reminds us to put down our now ruined devices, go outside, and take a walk. Listen to the birds sing. Watch the kids play. Visit your friends.
Then come back and complain on MacRumors.
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After upgrading to ios 26 my phone is sending messages as SMS. Anybody else?
For the last several months, MacRumors has been working on a series of in-depth feature guides and how tos that walk you through the design changes and updates in Apple's new software.
Our ultimate guide includes all of our iOS 26 coverage, and it is a useful resource for iPhone and iPad users who haven't had a chance to test out iOS 26, or those who might want a recap on what's new. We've organized it by app or feature to make it easy to find what you're looking for.
Liquid Glass
Apple's Liquid Glass design brings a big visual change to iOS 26. Icons, apps, menu bars, navigation bars, and all other interface elements feature a Liquid Glass aesthetic. It's not just translucency that you have to deal with. There are pop out menus, collapsing navigation bars, and a much more rounded aesthetic.
- iOS 26: Everything You Need to Know About the Liquid Glass Redesign
- How to Reduce Transparency of Apple's Liquid Glass
Lock Screen
The Lock Screen clock has embraced Liquid Glass in a big way, and there are also new options for wallpaper and widgets.
- iOS 26: New Lock Screen Features
- How to Change iPhone Clock to Liquid Glass
- Turn Lock Screen Photos Into 3D Spatial Scenes
Home Screen
A new design means a new Home Screen, and there are new features for icons, widgets, and wallpapers.
- iOS 26: What's Changed With the iPhone's Home Screen
- Make App Icons Clear on Your iPhone Home Screen
- How to Add Web Apps or Bookmarks to iPhone Home Screen
Apple Intelligence
Apple is still recovering from the Apple Intelligence Siri delay and the company didn't make a major deal about Apple Intelligence features in iOS 26, but there are quite a few additions.
Live Translation auto translates messages and calls, Visual Intelligence now works with what's on your screen, the Wallet app can track all of your purchases, and there are other small additions to be aware of.
All of the Apple Intelligence features require a device that supports Apple Intelligence, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, and all iPhone 17 models.
- All of the New Apple Intelligence Features in iOS 26
- Here's What's New With Visual Intelligence in iOS 26
- iOS 26 Brings Major Changes to Image Playground
Messages
There are a bunch of new features in the Messages app, including the option to set custom backgrounds for each chat. Be warned, other people see the background that you set. Group chats support typing indicators and other features, and you can add polls to chats.
- iOS 26: Every Change to the Messages App
- How to Create Polls in Messages
- How to Selectively Copy Text Within a Message
- Add Custom Backgrounds to Messages Conversations
- Remove Custom Backgrounds in Messages Conversations
Phone
Some of the biggest changes in iOS 26 are to the Phone app. There's a whole Call Screening feature that can screen calls from unknown numbers, and a tool that'll wait for you when you're on hold.
- iOS 26: 10+ Features Coming to the Phone App
- How to Get a Callback Reminder for a Missed Call
- Set a Custom iPhone Ringtone in Seconds
- iOS 26: Here's What You Can Do With Apple's New Games App
AirPods
With an accompanying firmware update, the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 support Live Translation for in-person conversations, plus there are options like pausing audio when you fall asleep and using the AirPods as a remote for the iPhone's Camera app.
- All the new AirPods Features in iOS 26
- Auto-Pause AirPods Audio When You Fall Asleep
- Remotely Control iPhone Camera With Your AirPods
Safari
Safari has an updated layout, a Liquid Glass design, tab bar changes, new privacy features, and more.
- Safari in iOS 26: Everything New From Design to Privacy
- Restore Safari's Old Layout From iOS 18
- How to Add Web Apps or Bookmarks to iPhone Home Screen
Apple Maps
The Maps app can learn your preferred route for your commute and alert you if there's anything that's going to make you late. It's also able to save your location history so you can remember your favorite locations when you travel.
Notes and Reminders
The Reminders app has some hidden Apple Intelligence features included, while the Notes app supports 3... Click here to read rest of article
Article Link: iOS 26 Features: The Ultimate Mega Guide
41 years of using Macs and this is by far the ugliest OS. It looks some crappy version of Windows.
Ever see those people that do a job multiple times, like someone who cleans the same table 3-4 times, at a business so that way the boss doesn’t look at them and realize they need less hours because there’s just nothing to do? That’s the software team at Apple. Seems like they’re just looking for something ‘dire’ to accomplish so they don’t let go of or sent to a different project, team, etc. They’re doing nonsense just for the sake of looking like they’re busy. I don’t like saying that but it’s the truth. Year after year for ages now, it’s literally useless features that the vast majority could really care less about. Really sad to see what’s going on over there at Apple, the entire company seems lost at this point on what they should be doing
That would truly make it the most magical OS release in Apple's history. You've convinced me that I need to upgrade all our devices to iOS 26 right away.
Getting rid of launchpad was a mistake; organization of applications is a complete mess. :/
Apple isn’t far behind on AI. No one offers free unlimited AI on device of anything. Apple is doing something with AI that no one has done before. Did they fail to meet their original estimates of what would be available? Yes. But what’s so shocking about that? Doing something no one else has ever done before, even Apple makes mistakes especially when Jobs was there. Remember the round mouse? I do, it was a nightmare. Apple doesn’t enter new markets 1st, it enters when the technology is ready & the UI works. & when they get it right, it’s better than anything else around! 👍🏻
That is like saying "If you criticize anything about this country you should leave". People want to make things better and if the people who improve leave only slop remains at the end.
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For the first time in over 20 years of Apple devices I’m not installing a new OS release on day 1.
I’ve been a Mac user since like 1997 and I’ve never experienced anything like the bugginess of iOS 26 (only on my iPad for now). Wow, this feels like early beta software, it’s really bad. I’ve seen insane bugs and glitches and had to restart it because it was locked on app and I couldn’t quit it.
On top of the bugs, I also just don’t like it…
I used to be one of those hyper online guys who would read all the rumors and pour over everything but I’ve really really cut back on following tech stuff… it just all feels boring now. Not always in a bad way, but computer performance has now so far exceeded my needs that it just isn’t interesting to follow rumors or every detail of every new thing. Like, why do I care about new mac rumors when I have zero complaints about my current Mac even after having it for years and years… Anyway, that’s a rambling way to say that I haven’t been paying much attention to ios26 or Liquid Glass. I watched the keynote and have heard some kvetching on podcasts, but I didn’t really care that much, I figured whatever, it will be fine like always… Anyway, woof, I dunno. I think people are gonna hate this. They’ve changed a lot of stuff for seemingly little benefit. Everything just looks weird and off and it’s not intuitive and to top it off there is barely any glass effect and it doesn’t even look cool. Maybe I’ll get used to it, but so far I really am not a fan. This keyboard even sucks. Boooooooo
I used to be one of those hyper online guys who would read all the rumors and pour over everything but I’ve really really cut back on following tech stuff… it just all feels boring now. Not always in a bad way, but computer performance has now so far exceeded my needs that it just isn’t interesting to follow rumors or every detail of every new thing. Like, why do I care about new mac rumors when I have zero complaints about my current Mac even after having it for years and years… Anyway, that’s a rambling way to say that I haven’t been paying much attention to ios26 or Liquid Glass. I watched the keynote and have heard some kvetching on podcasts, but I didn’t really care that much, I figured whatever, it will be fine like always… Anyway, woof, I dunno. I think people are gonna hate this. They’ve changed a lot of stuff for seemingly little benefit. Everything just looks weird and off and it’s not intuitive and to top it off there is barely any glass effect and it doesn’t even look cool. Maybe I’ll get used to it, but so far I really am not a fan. This keyboard even sucks. Boooooooo
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First time trying LG and it is fine nothing good or bad just progress. The flat was getting boring after a long run. Animations can be a bit faster but other than that it’s been a pleasure so far. Curb one’s expectations 😛
Does anyone know how to enable split screen like before. A swipe and a tap and I had teo apps occupying split real estate on my screen in about a second. Now that's gone and I hate the look/feel and interaction of 26. Instant regret on the upgrade. I want to be able to do split screen the way I could before. Now it's a lot of extra time and wasted gestures. HUGE step back IMHO.
Liking it so far. The checkmarks seem odd and yet natural at the same time. I like the looks. I haven’t run into any wtf issues yet.
Feels faster too.
Cleaned my phone too before updating. And using it without the case. Feels like I bought a new phone.
Feels faster too.
Cleaned my phone too before updating. And using it without the case. Feels like I bought a new phone.
You mean iOS 7 with the bright, childish looking icons? Because that's what everyone said about that back then.
I'm on Apple TV, the Mac, and the Ipad and if I did the Beta, I would have suggested through feedback just a switch to turn off Liquid Glass and just use it as if it was 18.7. You also get these updates for the security, but the Glass effect will take some time to get used to. What I don't understand is why is Apple forcing this on people. Android pretty much says you can have any kind of home screen you would like. Apple forces everyone on the same thing.
Yea the transparent menus made the notification centre un readable to me lockely the reduce transparency switck fixed the issue, so if thst was everything liquid glass gave us, to me it's abig nothing burger, as for the rest time will tell, the unified view in the phones app on the other hand is great imho. Allso tvos26 seams to have resolved a rather annoying Udio issue i ghd with the youtube app. So in total inwould say the os26 updare is mostly good for me, but early days yet
I'm not saying that the poor readability was widely known and was also shown in every second MacRumors article with promotional images.
But the same ten hardcore fans flooded the comments to sow doubt about the facts.
I was actually excited for this update, it really grew on me over the month, seeing it in videos and screenshots.
After installing it yesterday I was shocked how little I like it on my iPhone 15. Maybe it feels better with higher refresh rate but it really looks like a cheap theme/skin and very unlike Apple to my eyes. I might be losing touch to what a new generation of designers likes. I don't know.
All I can say is that the first thing I did was going to accessibility and reducing the transparency and also changing that awful liquid clock on my lockscreen back to the regular one.
And that's beside all the many many glitches and inconsistencies that are still visible in the UI literally everywhere for me which just adds the cherry on top. I'll hold out updating MacOS as long as anyhow possible. This is hoping for some meaningful improvement in the future as I was really excited about the changes.