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Apple iPhone 17<\/p>\n
VCG via Getty ImagesiOS 26.2 Release Date<\/p>\n
The expected arrival date for the next update hasn\u2019t changed. It\u2019s mid-December, unless there\u2019s a hiccup. I\u2019m still plumping for Monday, Dec. 15 or Tuesday, Dec. 16. If it were delayed until even a little later, it could be bumped to January, but I\u2019m not expecting that. Such a delay could happen because Apple is scrupulous about avoiding updates close to public holidays \u2014 there was no developer or public release over Thanksgiving week, for instance. <\/p>\n
So far, there is no indication that the update is delayed at all \u2014 it could even arrive sooner than Dec. 15, so reports of hold-ups are wide of the mark so far, though that could change. Any issue will become apparent soon, as the release candidate is expected to be imminent, so if that doesn\u2019t happen when it\u2019s expected, we\u2019ll have a further clue as to timing. I\u2019ll update this if it looks like the date is slipping. <\/p>\n
ForbesApple iOS 26.2 Release Date: Unprecedented Change Revealed For Next iPhone UpdateBy David Phelan<\/a>iOS 26.2: Will There Be An iOS 18 Alternative?<\/p>\n When iOS 26.2 arrives, will there be an update that will allow your iPhone to stay secure without you having to switch to iOS 26? After all, when iOS 26.1 arrived, it was followed a few days later by iOS 18.7.2, which provided security fixes but no new features, suitable for users who weren\u2019t ready to climb aboard with iOS 26 until they were sure it was stable. <\/p>\n There\u2019s every chance that iOS 18.7.2 could be the last iOS 18 update for a while, with security updates to follow only sporadically. It\u2019ll become clear in the days or week after iOS 26.2 lands.<\/p>\n iOS 26.2: What\u2019s In The New Release<\/p>\n The next update will have plenty of new features. Many of them are small tweaks \u2014 the big update to Siri isn\u2019t expected until 2026, for instance \u2014 plus, of course, security updates and bug fixes. <\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot coming, starting with tweaks to the look of Liquid Glass, according to the current developer and public betas. A slider for the lock screen will let users adjust the transparency of the effect, and it\u2019ll be introduced into the Measure app. New animations are promised in the menus. <\/p>\n Reminders will gain a new feature: you can mark something as urgent if you set a due time. This means it will trigger an alarm on the iPhone when the time arrives. You can snooze these reminders for nine minutes if you need and the new feature is compatible with Live Activities as a further nudge. <\/p>\n The Freeform app will introduce support for tables for the first time. The app, which is great for collaboration, adds tables as another tool alongside images, files and links, for instance. <\/p>\n Apple News will introduce design changes such as quick links and a revised navigation bar.<\/p>\n A big change is coming to AirDrop so that if you want to share something with a person who\u2019s not in your contacts, you can create a one-time code. That means you don\u2019t have to make AirDrop accessible to all even for 10 minutes.<\/p>\n Apple Music lyrics (my go-to for private karaoke sessions) will be available offline, too. The Sleep Score will be adjusted to the figure it comes up with will be lower. Don\u2019t be put off, see it as a challenge to sleep even better!<\/p>\n The Podcasts app is expected to see several improvements, such as audio divided into chapters using Apple Intelligence, so it\u2019s easier to find the bit you want to listen to, and a feature called Podcast Mentions which lets you connect to other podcasts or episodes mentioned in what you\u2019re listening to. <\/p>\n Users in Japan will have the capability to set the side button to launch voice assistants other than Siri. This may come to the EU and possibly more widely as well. More on that here<\/a>. <\/p>\n The features list isn\u2019t set yet as the beta releases continue. I\u2019ll report back as more details emerge. <\/p>\n