iOS 26 & Liquid Glass: What’s New, How to Use It, and 7 Things to Do First for a Smoother Upgrade

My AI Assistant September 16, 2025

 


Introduction

Apple’s latest software update—iOS 26—is live, and it’s introducing a sweeping redesign and feature overhaul. The new UI design, dubbed Liquid Glass, brings translucent, glass-like elements, dynamic interfaces, and unified visuals across Apple devices. But it’s not just about looks—there are powerful updates for Maps, Messages, Live Translation, Apple Intelligence, a new Games app, and more.

If you're an iPhone user, there are some things you should do right away to get the best experience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover:

  • What exactly Liquid Glass is and what changes it brings

  • The key features of iOS 26 and related platform updates

  • Compatible devices and what limitations to watch out for

  • What to do first (settings to tweak, features to try) after updating

  • Pros vs cons and user feedback

  • Tips for optimizing battery, readability, and performance

By the end, you’ll know whether to update now or wait, how to adapt to the changes smoothly, and how to make the most of iOS 26.

Table of Contents

  1. What Is iOS 26 & Why It’s Such a Big Update

  2. Liquid Glass: Apple’s New Design Language Explained

  3. Key New Features in iOS 26

  4. Compatibility & Devices That Support It

  5. What to Do First After Update (Must-Do Tweaks)

  6. Pros, Cons & Common Issues

  7. Tips to Optimize Battery, Readability & Performance

  8. Should You Upgrade Immediately or Wait?

  9. Keywords You Should Use in Searches/Content

  10. Summary & Action Plan

  11. FAQs

1. What Is iOS 26 & Why It’s Such a Big Update

iOS 26 is Apple’s major software release for iPhones (and across iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26) launched in mid-September 2025. It introduces Liquid Glass, a design refresh that replaces many flat design elements with translucent glass-like, dynamic visuals. (The Verge)

Apple also aligned the version number for all its platforms to “26” to unify experience across devices. This move helps branding consistency and eases confusion for users across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, etc. (TechCrunch)

This is arguably the biggest visual and functional update in Apple’s ecosystem since major redesigns like iOS 7, especially because of how many features involve cross-device integration, AI / “Apple Intelligence,” and interface changes that affect nearly every core app. (Business Insider)

2. Liquid Glass: Apple’s New Design Language Explained

What Is Liquid Glass?

  • Liquid Glass is Apple’s new visual theme with translucent, semi-transparent surfaces, glassy effects, and design elements that respond to motion and background content. Think of menus, notifications, icons, toolbars that look layered, refractive, with light and blur effects. (Apple)

  • The aesthetic draws inspiration from visionOS (Apple’s immersive OS) and earlier “frosted glass” styles, updated to be more dynamic and adaptive. (The Verge)

Key Visual Changes

  • Icons, widgets, menus, notification banners have glass-like transparency and layered depth. (The Guardian)

  • Tools and controls (sliders, buttons, toggles) are more fluid; context menus expand, alerts originate more contextually. (Apple)

  • Home screen & lock screen get more dynamic: new “Clear” theme, icons can be tinted/translucent; where you place widgets on lock screen bottom; dynamic clock height depending on background, etc. (Wikipedia)

Impacts on Usability & Accessibility

  • Because elements are more transparent, it introduces challenges around readability (text contrast vs background) especially in bright light / strong wallpaper visuals. (TechCrunch)

  • Apple has made tweaks during beta phases to address some concerns: adjusting transparency, adjusting how dynamic elements behave so they don’t distract or obscure content. (TechCrunch)

3. Key New Features in iOS 26

Beyond the design revamp, iOS 26 brings a host of functional updates. Here are the ones you should know:

Feature What It Does
Live Translation Translate text/speech/calls in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone in real-time. (Apple)
Visual Intelligence Recognize content on screen and suggest actions (e.g. add event from flyer, identify objects, search for similar images). (Apple)
Apple Games App A centralized gaming hub where you can pick up where you left off, discover new games, see friends etc. (Apple)
Improved Maps Visited Places, preferred routes (AI-informed), real-time navigation enhancements. (Indiatimes)
Wallet & Order Tracking Better order tracking in Wallet; redesigns to support digital IDs etc. (Apple)
Message & FaceTime Upgrades Polls, customizable backgrounds, group typing indicators, call screening, etc. (Business Insider)
New Accessibility & System Tweaks Better Braille support, smarter reminders, updated controls, context menus. (Apple)

4. Compatibility & Devices That Support It

  • iOS 26 is available for iPhone 11 and later models, as well as newer iPhone SE models. (TechCrunch)

  • Some features (especially those involving "Apple Intelligence", heavy graphics, dynamic interface) may require more powerful hardware (A-series chips, etc.). On older models, the Liquid Glass effects may be toned down for performance or readability. (Tom's Guide)

  • Other OSes – iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26 – also integrate Liquid Glass and many cross-platform features. If you have those devices, similar updates apply. (The Guardian)

5. What to Do First After Update (Must-Do Tweaks)

To get the most out of iOS 26 and avoid frustrations, here are first things you should do after updating:

  1. Adjust Wallpaper / Theme & Icon Tinting

    • Choose Wallpaper with simpler / less busy backgrounds so transparent elements are readable.

    • Try the new “Clear” theme or tinted icons to better control contrast.

  2. Tweak Control Center & Transparency Settings

    • If transparency bothers you or reduces readability, adjust in Accessibility or Display settings (increase contrast, reduce transparency).

    • Check Control Center behaviour: the Liquid Glass tab bars/toolbars can shrink/expand; set settings that feel responsive but not distracting.

  3. Test Font / Text Legibility

    • On old models, check whether small text is legible, especially under Liquid Glass elements.

    • Consider increasing text size, bold text, or reducing transparency if needed.

  4. Enable Live Translation & Visual Intelligence Where Needed

    • If you often speak with people in other languages, turn on Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, Phone.

    • For visual intelligence, try selecting objects or text from screen (screenshots, etc.) and see what actions Apple suggests.

  5. Customize Messages & FaceTime

    • Explore new chat backgrounds, group typing indicators, polls.

    • Test call screening & voicemail improvements.

  6. Check Battery Health & Performance

    • After major updates, battery/draining tasks can run in background. Let the device finish indexing, background adjustments.

    • Monitor which apps are using more power (Settings → Battery) and consider turning off or restricting those.

  7. Explore New Apps (Games, Wallet, Maps)

    • Try the Games app to see how it organizes your library.

    • Check visited places/history in Maps.

    • Confirm order tracking in Wallet is working.

6. Pros, Cons & Common Issues

Pros

  • Fresh, modern, unified design makes Apple devices feel more visually connected.

  • Many functional improvements (translation, Maps, Messages) that improve daily usability.

  • Enhanced cross-device consistency.

  • New features for productivity and personalization.

Cons / Issues Reported

  • Battery Drain & Performance Hits: Some users report faster battery depletion right after update or when UI effects are heavy. (New York Post)

  • Readability Problems: In early versions/betas, the high transparency + dynamic backgrounds made it hard to read some panels or text. (TechCrunch)

  • Adaptation Period: Because visual changes are big, many users find UI elements confusing at first (where to tap, how toolbars behave, etc.).

  • Preference Clash: Some users prefer more solid design vs glassy/translucent elements; aesthetic choices may not suit everyone.

Known Bugs / Things To Watch

  • Overheating or device getting warmer while new animations / effects are in use.

  • Some apps may not yet adapt correctly to Liquid Glass, causing visual glitches.

  • Some features may not be available in all regions or for all languages immediately.

7. Tips to Optimize Battery, Readability & Performance

  • Use darker wallpapers or solid colors rather than busy imagery behind Glass-style overlays.

  • Reduce motion or animation if you feel lag or motion sickness. (Settings → Accessibility)

  • Turn on Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast in Accessibility if text is hard to read.

  • Disable or limit features you don’t need (Live Translation, visual intelligence running constantly) if battery seems to suffer.

  • Close or remove apps with heavy background activity until things settle after update.

  • Keep the device OS up to date; early patches often fix performance bugs.

8. Should You Upgrade Immediately or Wait?

Here’s a decision-making guide:

If You Should Upgrade Now If You Might Wait
You have iPhone 11 or newer, good battery health, and want to try new features & visual redesign immediately. You have older device, or prioritize stability/battery over visual style.
You frequently use Messages, FaceTime, Maps, multi-lingual or cross-device workflows, so Apple Intelligence features matter. You rely on devices for work where glitches or unfamiliar UI may slow you down.
You enjoy customizing your phone and exploring new design changes. You prefer minimalism or clean predictable behavior; you might find Liquid Glass distracting.

If in doubt, backing up your device before upgrading is wise. Also, waiting for the first minor patch (iOS 26.x) might help smooth out early snags.

9. Keywords You Should Use in Searches / Content

To increase your SEO reach (medium/low competition), you can use the following keyword phrases when writing or optimizing content:

  • iOS 26 Liquid Glass features review

  • iOS 26 tips after update

  • iPhone customization Liquid Glass

  • Live translation on iPhone iOS 26

  • improve battery iOS 26

  • iOS 26 compatibility iPhone models

  • Messages update in iOS 26 features

  • how to use visual intelligence iOS 26

  • iOS 26 vs older version iPhone

  • best settings for iOS 26 readability

Including these in headings, subheadings, image alt text, meta descriptions can help attract more traffic.

10. Summary & Action Plan

  1. Back up your iPhone before updating.

  2. If device is compatible, plan to update to iOS 26 (or wait if you rely on stability).

  3. Once updated, tweak display, themes and accessibility settings first for best experience.

  4. Try new features like Live Translation, Maps improvements, and the new Games app.

  5. Monitor battery usage & performance over next few days (often update-day jolt then settling).

  6. Provide feedback to Apple if something’s off; many features will get refined via updates.

11. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here are 20 FAQs to address likely user concerns:

  1. What is iOS 26 and when did Apple release it?
    iOS 26 is Apple’s latest major iPhone update; officially released mid-September 2025.

  2. What is “Liquid Glass” in iOS 26?
    It’s a new design language with translucent, glass-like UI elements, dynamic backgrounds, and layered visuals.

  3. Which iPhones can run iOS 26?
    iPhone 11 and later models, plus newer iPhone SE versions. Older ones are not supported.

  4. Will all features work on all devices?
    No; some features (especially those needing more GPU / newer chips) are limited to recent iPhones.

  5. What should I do first after updating?
    Adjust wallpaper/themes, tweak transparency, test readability, enable new features like Live Translation.

  6. Does iOS 26 drain battery faster?
    Some users report higher battery usage initially (as system performs updates/indexing), especially with Liquid Glass effects. It may settle over a few days.

  7. Can I disable Liquid Glass effects or reduce transparency?
    Yes—use Accessibility settings (reduce transparency/increase contrast), adjust wallpaper and choose solid themes.

  8. Are there reading or visibility issues with Liquid Glass?
    In some cases yes—text over busy backgrounds or high transparency can reduce readability. Apple has made adjustments and may refine further.

  9. What is Live Translation and how does it work?
    You can translate messages, calls, or FaceTime in real time using Apple Intelligence, in select languages; works entirely on device for privacy.

  10. Is this update safe in terms of privacy?
    For many features, yes—Apple emphasizes on-device processing for speech / translation etc. Some features may use private cloud compute. Data isn’t shared unless you allow.

  11. Do I need a strong internet connection to use iOS 26 features?
    Some features like translation or real-time mapping work better with internet; others (on-device intelligence) work offline.

  12. Will older apps work fine after updating?
    Most should, but some apps may not yet be optimized for Liquid Glass design and may have UI glitches.

  13. Will my widgets or background images be preserved?
    In most cases yes; but you may want to check and adjust after update as some layout changes may shift elements.

  14. Can I revert back if I don’t like iOS 26?
    Apple generally doesn’t support going back to older iOS versions easily; only via backup or if Apple is still signing previous version (often only for a limited time).

  15. Does iOS 26 improve Maps?
    Yes—features like Visited Places, preferred routes that learn over time, AI-enhanced navigation.

  16. What new apps are introduced in iOS 26?
    The Apple Games app, and some enhanced system apps (Wallet, Messages, etc.) via UI and workflow improvements.

  17. Are there performance issues or bugs reported so far?
    A few: battery drain, heating, occasional UI lag, readability challenges. Many are in early days.

  18. How to make iOS 26 run smoothly on older supported iPhones?
    Reduce visual effects, use simpler wallpapers, limit background usage, disable features you do not need.

  19. Will Apple continue to improve iOS 26 after initial release?
    Yes—expect bug-fix updates, refinements to Liquid Glass design, perhaps more configurable options.

  20. Should I postpone updating if I depend on my iPhone for work?
    If stability, battery, or predictable performance is critical, you may wait a patch or two to smooth out early issues.

Conclusion

iOS 26 & Liquid Glass represent a bold redesign and feature leap from Apple. The new visuals are striking, and many functional improvements are genuinely useful. If you have a compatible device and are excited about these changes, updating now (with some tweaks) will let you enjoy the benefits early. If you prefer stability, waiting for refinements might be wise.

Whatever you do, make sure to adjust your settings right away for readability, test new features you’ll use, and monitor battery and performance closely. With a bit of preparation, you’ll get the most out of this major update.

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