Apple’s next phone operating system arriving this fall, iOS 26, includes a transparent aesthetic mimicking the look of glass and making apps and buttons blend in with content on the screen. Google is doing the opposite with its newly released operating system, Android 16, which emphasizes brighter, punchier colors.

The built-in Music app doesn't get lost in the shuffle in Apple's iOS 26 update. Indeed, amid the Liquid Glass overhaul to the iPhone's interface — including the look of the Music app — a trio of new features will appear aimed at getting more out of your favorite tunes.

OS 26 includes three small but meaningful changes for screenshots. The upcoming software update adds a new Screen Capture menu to the

Looking at the home screens, the primary difference you'll find is that in iOS 26 the background of the dock and the search option that sits in between the dock and the home screen icons are more transparent and have a sheen to the edges, whereas in iOS 18, these are slightly darker.

There are ways to make Android look more like iOS 26, but your phone might end up looking like a cheap knock-off instead.

After a month of beta testing, Apple is expected to release iOS 26 public beta on Monday. Here's how to download it.

Meanwhile, the third iOS 26 beta added more changes to Liquid Glass to make it more readable, new wallpapers and several other fixes. As such, we’d expect the first public beta to take all the recommendations and fixes from the developer beta. This also goes for the full public release, which could look very different.

The Games app is a new addition coming to iOS 26 in the fall. Here's what it does, how it works, and who it's for.

The release of iOS 18.6 Developer Beta 3 highlights Apple’s ongoing commitment to refining its operating systems. This update is part of a synchronized effort, with simultaneous beta releases across platforms such as iPadOS and macOS.

1. On the iPhone's lock screen, touch and hold anywhere on the display until you see the Customize button. You'll need to unlock the phone using Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. If it opens the home screen, swipe down from the center-top of the screen (not the right edge, which brings up Control Center.