While product launches took top billing at Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event Sept. 9, the company also revealed when the new iteration of its operating system will be available to the public.
iOS 26 is slated to launch Monday, Sept. 15 as a free software update, the Silicon Valley tech giant announced in a news release.
Apple says iOS 26 will make “apps and system experiences more expressive and delightful, bringing greater focus to content.”
The company said at the event that the operating system will have upgrades to its Apple Intelligence features, including expanded live translation capabilities. Visual intelligence also gets an upgrade as users can screenshot and search on the iPhone.
Apple announced a new naming scheme and design for iOS during the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote June 9.
See Apple’s new iPhone Air, iPhone 17 revealed at 2025 launch event
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Apple CEO Tim Cook Apple and other company leaders introduced the iPhone 17, iPhone Air and other new devices and features at the company’s highly anticipated annual event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, Calif., September 9, 2025.
Apple launches the iPhone 17: See prices, colors, new features
The “Awe Dropping” event was highlighted by the announcement of the iPhone 17 line, as well as the new Air model, which replaces the Plus as the second-tier phone offering and gives Apple its thinnest iPhone ever.
The phones are available for pre-order on Sept. 12 and for purchase Sept. 19.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Apple sets iOS 26 release date. See when iPhone update is available.