iOS 26 was launched final month, however the software program practice by no means stops and iOS 26.1 beta testing is already underway. Thus far, iOS 26.1 makes Apple Intelligence and Stay Translation accessible on supported AirPods in extra languages, and features a few different small modifications to the Apple Music, Calendar, Photographs, Clock, and Safari apps.
Extra options and modifications will are available future variations, from later beta variations of iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.4. These are simply the options recognized to this point and plenty of extra will definitely be added subsequent 12 months.
Digital Passport
iOS 26 will allow you to add a digital model of your US passport to Apple’s Pockets app.
The function will probably be accessible later this 12 months, in keeping with the nice print on Apple’s web site. Apple initially stated a software program replace could be required, however would not point out it additional, so maybe the function could possibly be enabled with a server-side replace.
When you create a digital ID within the Pockets app, you possibly can current it in particular person at TSA checkpoints at choose U.S. airports for identification verification functions throughout home journey. Nevertheless, Apple states that it doesn’t exchange a bodily passport and can’t be used for worldwide journey and border crossings.
Apple claims the function is safe, non-public and REAL ID compliant.
It is going to even be attainable to make use of the Digital Identification function to confirm age and identification in purposes, on-line and in shops, in keeping with Apple.
RCS Updates
Earlier this 12 months, Apple stated it deliberate so as to add help for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging to the Messages app in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS software program updates, and we’re nonetheless ready for that to occur. Nevertheless, the replace has not but been rolled out to iPhones working iOS 26, or the beta variations of iOS 26.1 launched to this point.
Finish-to-end encryption for RCS was introduced in March as a part of the version 3.0 of the RCS Universal Profilea world normal for RCS options and specs. Which means Apple has not directly confirmed that it’s going to help RCS Common Profile 3.0, which incorporates not solely end-to-end encryption for RCS, however a number of different iMessage-like enhancements for RCS that have been initially launched in RCS Common Profile 2.7.
Apple has to attend for carriers to implement RCS Common Profile 3.0 as properly, so it is comprehensible that the method is taking time.
Listed here are 5 new options anticipated for RCS conversations on iPhone, iPad, and Mac as soon as Apple launches help for RCS Common Profile 3.0:
- Finish-to-end encryption, which can stop Apple and every other third social gathering from studying messages and attachments as they’re despatched between units, as has all the time been the case with iMessage
- On-line Solutions
- Edit messages
- Cancel sending messages
- Full Tapback help for RCS messages, with out particular workarounds
RCS help as an entire has been added to iPhone with iOS 18, which helps RCS Common Profile 2.4. It’s successfully a modernized model of the SMS normal, which stays accessible as a substitute choice for texting over a mobile community.
RCS will probably be attempting to maintain up with iMessage in a number of methods. iMessage conversations with blue bubbles have supported end-to-end encryption by default since iOS 5. Moreover, iMessage has supported inline replies since iOS 14, whereas choices to edit and unsend iMessages have been launched in iOS 16.
It appears possible that Apple will launch these RCS updates sooner or later through the iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26 software program cycle.
Personalised Siri
In late July, Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner stated his firm was making “good progress” on a extra personalised model of Siri and reiterated that the options have been on monitor to be launched subsequent 12 months. BloombergMark Gurman expects the brand new Siri to launch within the US in spring 2026, so Apple will possible intention to launch iOS 26.4.
Apple first introduced customized Siri options throughout its WWDC 2024 keynote, however in March it introduced that they’ve been delayed. New options will embrace higher understanding of the person’s private context, on-screen recognition, and deeper per-app controls. For instance, Apple confirmed an iPhone person asking Siri about his mom’s flight and lunch reservation plans primarily based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.
Climate through satellite tv for pc
Firstly of this 12 months, MacRumors taxpayer Aaron Perris has found references to an unreleased “Satellite tv for pc Climate” function within the code of the primary iOS 26 developer beta. Nevertheless, the function has not but been launched and even introduced by Apple, so it’s unclear whether or not it’s nonetheless coming or has been scrapped. It could nonetheless be launched ultimately.
The function would assist you to view the forecast and different climate info within the Climate app, in supported areas with out Wi-Fi and mobile vary. Apple’s different satellite tv for pc options embrace satellite tv for pc emergency SOS, satellite tv for pc messaging, satellite tv for pc Discover My, and satellite tv for pc roadside help, with availability various by nation.
Apple has not but charged any charges for any of its satellite tv for pc options. Final month, the corporate introduced that it’s providing present iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 customers a further 12 months of free entry to the complete suite of satellite tv for pc options on these units.
New emojis
iOS 26.4 will possible add new built-in emojis to the iPhone.
In celebration of World Emoji Day on July 17, the Unicode Consortium viewed a few of the new emojis which can be a part of Unicode 17.0.
Listed here are a few of the new emojis:
- Trombone
- Treasure Chest
- Distorted face
- Furry Creature (Bigfoot/Sasquatch)
- Battle the cloud
- Apple Core
- orca
- Dancers
- Landslide
Notably, Distorted Face is a well-liked emoji on Discord servers. It is basically a distorted model of the embarrassed face emoji, also referred to as Flushed Face.
Usually, Apple takes a number of months to create new emojis in its personal type, so the emojis listed above will possible be added to the iPhone in iOS 26.4.
Apple lately added new emojis to the iPhone with iOS 18.4, an replace launched in late March. iOS 17.4, iOS 16.4, and iOS 15.4 have additionally launched new emojis over time, so the timing has grow to be predictable at this level, if it persists.
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