iOS 26 is here. The 3 coolest features to try first.
Apple released the long-awaited iOS 26 on Monday, and it's available now as a free software update. The new iPhone operating system promises major changes to how users operate their device and how it looks day-to-day.
Downloading the new operating system is simple enough; getting used to all the changes might not be so easy. Change is hard, but we think this particular change will be rewarding for most users. Mashable reporters have been testing the iOS 26 beta for months, and the new OS promises lots of cool new features. There's a lot going on with the update — but we've collected three of our favorites you should try immediately.
So, go download iOS 26 and get ready to try these new features.
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Liquid Glass
OK, this one is obvious, but you should really play around with Liquid Glass after you update to iOS 26. In case you didn't know, Liquid Glass is the name for the new design language rolled out by Apple with the new operating system. Liquid Glass is more expressive and uses translucent objects — get it...like glass...that's liquid — to make multi-tasking and operating apps simpler.
Liquid Glass will also completely change how your iPhone looks. From the Control Center to the new customizable lock screen to subtle animations across the iPhone experience, there's a lot to discover after you update. You can also mess around with an all-clear look or a reduced transparency look, depending on your preference.
For more information about Liquid Glass, check out our deep dive on iPad OS 26, which also gets a Liquid Glass makeover.
Polls in Messages
There are a number of changes coming to Messages with iOS 26. The new custom backgrounds on messages have already gotten a lot of attention, but it's not our favorite change. The addition of polls has the chance to be super fun for group chats.
Wrote Mashable's Alex Perry on the new feature: "One of my favorites is the ability to make polls in group chats, which is nominally a feature for deciding where to get dinner, but will really be a feature that's used to settle incredibly arcane, nonsensical inside-joke arguments among friend groups."
Live Translation
As someone who took many years of Spanish classes while retaining precious little, Live Translation could prove to be the coolest and most useful feature in iOS 26. The tool, powered by Apple Intelligence, will be built in to Messages, Phone, and FaceTime calls. That means, in theory at least, you could have relatively fluid conversations with folks who speak an entirely different language. It could be fun to give it a whirl once you update, just to see how well it actually works. (We're still in the process of testing it ourselves.)
We've become accustomed to all the cool stuff our tech can do, but, should this tool work well, translating your conversations in real-time does feel a bit like magic.
Want to learn more about iOS 26 and Liquid Glass? Catch up on Mashable's recent coverage:
Liquid Glass is finally here — 4 settings to change on day one
Ultra clear look for the iPhone is wild. Here's how to get it.
I've been on Liquid Glass for months. Here are 3 features I love and 1 that isn't done cooking.
Forget iOS. Here's how to download watchOS, macOS Tahoe, iPadOS, tvOS, and visionOS 26.
Tim Marcin is an Associate Editor on the culture team at Mashable, where he mostly digs into the weird parts of the internet. You'll also see some coverage of memes, tech, sports, trends, and the occasional hot take. You can find him on Bluesky (sometimes), Instagram (infrequently), or eating Buffalo wings (as often as possible).
