Apple’s iOS 26, launched in September, introduces a significant visual overhaul with its “liquid glass” redesign, a notable departure from the aesthetic of iOS 18. While headline features include major updates to Apple Intelligence and a revamped Siri, the operating system also contains numerous lesser-known enhancements that improve daily use.
Beyond the major announcements, iOS 26 is filled with practical, hidden features that offer greater personalization and convenience. Here are 18 subtle but powerful changes you may have missed.
### 1. Change the default snooze duration for your alarm
The iPhone’s traditional 9-minute snooze—a holdover from the mechanical limitations of analog clocks—is now adjustable. In the Clock app, you can select any alarm and tap “Snooze Duration” to set a custom length between 1 and 15 minutes. This setting must be applied to each alarm individually, as it does not carry over to new alarms.
### 2. Create a custom ringtone
iOS 26 simplifies custom ringtone creation, removing the need for GarageBand or a Mac. Simply select an MP3 or M4A audio file under 30 seconds in the Files app, tap the Share button, and choose “Use as Ringtone.” The file is automatically added to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, where it can be set as your default or assigned to a specific contact. This function also works for recordings in Voice Memos. Note that protected Apple Music tracks cannot be used.
### 3. Copy only a selection of a text message
The Messages app now allows you to copy a specific portion of a text instead of the entire bubble. Press and hold a message, tap “Select,” and use the handles to highlight the exact text you need. This is particularly useful for extracting specific information, like a password or address, from a longer message.
### 4. Visited places in Maps
Apple Maps now privately logs places you have visited, storing the data locally on your device. To review your history, navigate to Maps > Profile icon > Places > Visited Places. This feature, currently in beta, provides a convenient way to recall past locations without compromising privacy.
### 5. Battery charge time estimates
When charging, your iPhone’s lock screen now displays an estimated time until the battery reaches 80% and 100%. This information appears just above the time and is also available in Settings > Battery. The feature provides clarity for users needing to charge their device quickly before leaving.
### 6. Adaptive Power Mode
A new “Adaptive Power” setting is available under Settings > Battery > Power Mode. Instead of manually switching between Low Power and Standard modes, this option automatically adjusts performance and background activity based on your current task, optimizing battery life without user intervention.
### 7. Turn photos into 3D Spatial Scenes
The Photos app can convert standard photos into immersive “Spatial Scenes” with subtle depth and motion. Open a photo and tap the “Spatial” toggle in the top-right corner. On compatible devices, you can tilt your iPhone to explore the scene from different perspectives.
### 8. Search screenshots with visual intelligence
Upon taking a screenshot, iOS 26 provides new contextual tools powered by Visual Intelligence. In the editor, “Ask” sends the image to ChatGPT with a query, while “Image Search” uses Google to find visually similar results. You can also highlight a specific area of the image to refine your search. While detection is performed on-device, using these features shares the image with the respective third-party services.
### 9. Apple Music lyric translations
Apple Music now offers real-time lyric translations for songs in foreign languages. In the Lyrics view, a new “Translate These Lyrics” button displays the translated text directly below the original lyrics, synchronized with the music.
### 10. Screen incoming calls
The Phone app now offers live call screening for unknown numbers. When a call comes in, you can tap “Screen Call” to see a real-time transcript of the caller’s message before you decide to answer, decline, or send the call to voicemail.
### 11. Take a photo with your AirPods
Your AirPods can now function as a remote shutter for the Camera app. While the camera is open, a double-tap on either AirPod will capture a photo, which is ideal for group shots or when the iPhone is mounted on a tripod.
### 12. Add backgrounds to your text messages
Individual message threads can now be personalized with custom backgrounds. In any conversation, tap the contact’s name at the top, select “Backgrounds,” and choose a color, gradient, or photo. You can also generate a unique background using Image Playground.
### 13. Edit PDFs with Preview
The Preview app, a longtime staple of macOS, is now integrated into iOS 26 for PDF editing. When you open a PDF in Files or Mail, the Markup tool allows you to highlight text, add signatures, annotate pages, and rearrange the document without needing a third-party application.
### 14. Swipe from the middle of the screen to go back
Navigation has been made more flexible with an updated back gesture. In Safari, Settings, Mail, and other native apps, you can now swipe right from the middle of the screen to go back, without needing to start the gesture from the far-left edge of the display.
### 15. Check the weather even when you don’t have service
The Weather app can now use Apple’s satellite network to provide essential forecasts when cellular or Wi-Fi service is unavailable. When off-grid, the app can still retrieve basic data like temperature, precipitation probability, and severe weather alerts.
### 16. Get notified to clean the camera lens
To help prevent blurry photos, the Camera app can now detect smudges, glare, or haze on the lens. A discreet on-screen alert will appear before you take a picture, reminding you to wipe the lens clean.
### 17. HDR screenshots
Screenshots in iOS 26 are now captured in High Dynamic Range (HDR), more accurately preserving the vivid colors and contrast of the on-screen content. The improved quality is immediately noticeable when viewing the screenshots in the Photos library.
### 18. Passport in Wallet
In supported regions, iOS 26 will allow users to add their passports to the Wallet app, similar to a driver’s license. Once added, the digital passport can be used for verification at participating airports and checkpoints. While not yet universally available, this feature marks a significant step toward digital identity integration.
Source link
