TLDR;
This video highlights the seven best features of Apple's iOS 26 update, focusing on significant improvements to core apps like Phone, iMessage, Photos, Camera, Music, and Files, as well as introducing the new Preview app to iPhone. The update includes enhanced spam filtering, customization options, and AI-driven functionalities designed to improve user experience and efficiency.
- Enhanced Phone app with unified view, spam filtering, and hold assistance.
- iMessage upgrades including custom backgrounds, live translation, and polls.
- Redesigned Photos app with improved organization and search capabilities.
- Simplified Camera app interface for quick photo and video adjustments.
- New Files app features like folder customization and direct ringtone creation.
- Introduction of the Preview app for document scanning, editing, and signing.
Intro [0:00]
The presenter, Dylan Stewart, introduces the video as a countdown of his seven favorite features in iOS 26, the new operating system for iPhones. He encourages viewers to download a free smart guide to follow along and teases a MacWhisperer power tip about a brand new app coming to the iPhone for the first time.
Phone App Updates [1:07]
The Phone app receives significant updates in iOS 26, including a new Unified View that replaces the bottom tabs with favorite contacts at the top and recent calls below. A filtering option, accessible via three lines in the upper right corner, allows users to filter calls, access missed calls, voicemails, and manage unknown callers. The update introduces an "Ask the reason for calling" feature for unknown callers, transcribing the purpose of the call for the user to decide whether to answer. Users can switch back to the classic view with tabs at the bottom if they prefer. Additional features include the ability for the phone to recognize hold music and offer to hold the call, notifying the user when a person picks up. Live Voicemail is enhanced, allowing users to type a message that is read to the caller, with their response appearing in real time.
iMessage Enhancements [8:14]
iMessage in iOS 26 allows users to customize conversation backgrounds with photos, colors, sky, water, or Aurora images. Users with Apple Intelligence can create custom backgrounds using text descriptions. Backgrounds can be turned off in settings if preferred. Additional features include the ability to translate text messages in real time and send polls within conversations. Spam filtering tools are enhanced, with filtered sections for unknown senders, transactions, and promotional messages. Users can manage filtering options in the Messages settings.
Photos App Redesign [16:17]
The Photos app in iOS 26 addresses criticisms from the iOS 18 redesign by separating the library and collections into two tabs. The collection section allows users to organize and find specific kinds of photos, with options to hide or reorder sections. The profile icon provides access to settings like notifications, library views, and sharing tools. The library tab allows users to sort photos by date captured or recently added and filter by favorites, edited, photos, videos, or screenshots. A "not in an album" filter helps users identify unsorted photos. View options allow users to adjust the aspect ratio and choose whether to show screenshots or shared images. The search capability is enhanced with natural language search.
Camera App Simplification [23:13]
The Camera app in iOS 26 features a redesigned, cleaner interface. A slider at the bottom allows users to switch between photos, videos, portrait mode, and other options. Tapping on the photo or video section brings up additional tools like flash, timer, exposure, and aspect ratio. The top bar displays active settings. Users can easily switch between standard and RAW photos and adjust video resolution and frame rates.
Screenshot Tool Upgrades [26:08]
The screenshot experience in iOS 26 is redesigned with a full-screen view for easy markup and cropping. Users can save screenshots to photos or files, add them to quick notes, or copy and delete them. The full-page screenshot capability is added to more apps, including Notes and Mail. With Apple Intelligence, users can analyze images in screenshots, search Google for the image, or add events to their calendar based on the screenshot's content.
Music App Enhancements [29:45]
The Music app in iOS 26 allows users to pin albums, artists, playlists, or songs to the top of their library. The Auto Mix feature uses AI to seamlessly blend songs. Infinite Play continues playing similar songs after a playlist ends. Lyrics can be translated phonetically and into the user's language. Playlist folders can be created to organize playlists.
Files App Improvements [33:57]
The Files app in iOS 26 allows users to customize folders with images, emojis, and tags. Users can choose which app to open files with directly from the Files app. Audio files can be used as ringtones without third-party apps.
MacWhisperer Power Tip: Preview App [39:12]
The MacWhisperer power tip reveals that the Preview app, previously only available on Macs, is now available on iPhones in iOS 26. The Preview app allows users to create new documents, scan documents, fill out and sign PDFs, and make changes to images. It is connected to the Files app, allowing users to open and edit PDFs and JPEGs from their phone.