iOS 19 launch date, beta, compatibility and new iPhone options

Yearly in June, we’re launched to the subsequent model of iOS, Apple’s iPhone working system, throughout the keynote deal with that kicks off WWDC (Apple’s worldwide builders convention). Throughout the occasion Apple will reveal some, or all, of the brand new options coming to iPhones later within the 12 months.

On this article we’ll run by what we all know in regards to the new options coming within the subsequent model of iOS. Maybe the most important shock of all is that every one indications are that it received’t be referred to as iOS 19 this time. As a substitute Apple will title the brand new launch in step with the 12 months – so anticipate it to be referred to as iOS 26. Extra on that beneath.

iOS 26 in all probability received’t arrive on suitable iPhones till this September, however you don’t have to attend till then to expertise the brand new options. Yearly Apple runs a beta-testing program the place builders and anybody who indicators up for the beta can check out the software program earlier than it’s launched following the Apple iPhone Occasion in September. If you wish to be part of that beta testing program you will discover details about how to take action beneath, together with when the primary iOS 26 beta will probably be out there.

New iOS launch date: When is the brand new iOS replace popping out?

Our first glimpse of iOS 19 – we must always in all probability simply get used to calling it iOS 26 – will probably be at WWDC25 on June 9, after which the working system will probably be in beta till Apple releases it to the general public within the fall.

Apple sometimes releases the brand new model of iOS to the general public on the Monday following the launch of the brand new iPhone. Based mostly on latest historical past, we anticipate iOS 19 to launch to the general public across the time of the on both Monday, September 15, or Monday, September 22.

Listed here are the discharge dates for the latest variations of iOS:

• iOS 18: Monday, September 16, 2024
• iOS 17: Monday, September 18, 2023
• iOS 16: Monday, September 12, 2022
• iOS 15: Monday, September 20, 2021

New iOS title: The brand new iOS could possibly be referred to as iOS 26, not iOS 14

Apple’s title for the subsequent iOS has all the time been predictable. iOS 4 was adopted by 5, 6, 7 and so forth. The present iOS is iOS 18, so the subsequent one will probably be iOS 19 proper? Apparently not! All indications are that iOS 19 received’t be referred to as iOS 19 in any respect, as a substitute it will likely be iOS 26.

A Might 28 story from Bloomberg says Apple goes to unify all its numerous working system names/variations, taking a web page from automobile fashions and utilizing the approaching 12 months as a foundation. iOS 19 would then be iOS 26, whereas macOS 16 can be macOS 26, with tvOS 26 and watchOS 26 and visionOS 26…

It’s an extended overdue change, if true.

New iOS Developer and Public Betas

The complete model of iOS 19/iOS 26 will launch in September, however you received’t have to attend till then to attempt the brand new software program out. Apple’s developer beta and public beta will probably be working all through the summer season months, so if you wish to check out the brand new options earlier than they’re launched to most of the people you are able to do so.

After Apple broadcasts the brand new model of iOS at WWDC in June it can then launch an iOS Beta to builders. This 12 months the WWDC keynote will happen on June 9 so we anticipate the developer beta will probably be out there that day. The general public beta normally comes a month later, across the starting of July.

Between WWDC and the official launch within the fall, Apple will launch a string of beta releases, sometimes eight or so in complete. We share particulars of methods to be part of Apple’s beta software program program so you may check the brand new software program as quickly because the beta arrives, individually.

Anybody utilizing the beta is inspired to file bug studies utilizing the included Apple’s Suggestions Assistant app in order that the corporate can deal with them. If you wish to study extra in regards to the beta learn: What’s within the newest iOS beta and methods to get it.

iOS 19/26 Compatibility: Which iPhones will get with the brand new iOS?

Three iPhone fashions are reportedly about to lose iOS help. These are the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. This rumor comes from an nameless X account with a powerful monitor document of correct predictions. So it might be true.

Nonetheless, there was a report in December 2024 that prompt iOS 19 will probably be suitable with each iPhone that helps iOS 18. That features:

• iPhone 16 / iPhone 16e / iPhone 16 Plus / iPhone 16 Professional / iPhone 16 Professional Max
• iPhone 15 / iPhone 15 Plus / iPhone 15 Professional / iPhone 15 Professional Max
• iPhone 14 / Cellphone 14 Plus / iPhone 14 Professional / iPhone 14 Professional Max
• iPhone 13 / iPhone 13 mini / iPhone 13 Professional / iPhone 13 Professional Max
• iPhone 12 / iPhone 12 mini / iPhone 12 Professional / iPhone 12 Professional Max
• iPhone 11 / iPhone 11 Professional / iPhone 11 Professional Max
• iPhone XS / iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone SE (third and 2nd technology)

After all, it can additionally help the brand new iPhone 17 fashions that may launch across the identical time.

As all the time, some options received’t be out there on older fashions, as they lack the {hardware} sources for it. Apple Intelligence options are already incompatible with all however the iPhone 15 Professional, 15 Professional Max and your complete iPhone 16 vary, so we don’t anticipate it to be any completely different if Apple roles out any extra Apple Intelligence associated options and enhancements. Examine which is the newest iOS model your iPhone can run for extra info.

iOS 19/iOS 26: New options

Whereas Apple hasn’t formally introduced iOS 19/iOS 26 but, it has been laborious at work on the large iPhone improve for fairly some time and a few rumors have began to leak out. It seems like the subsequent model of iOS will probably be a much bigger change than we’re used to, at the very least visually. Based mostly on probably the most dependable leaks and rumors, right here’s what you may anticipate when it arrives later this 12 months.

All the brand new options received’t include that preliminary launch; over the months that comply with the preliminary launch extra options will probably be pushed out to iPhones in iOS 19.1, 19.2, and so forth. Or…

Main design overhaul

The headline function of iOS 19/26 (and Apple’s different working programs iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26) is alleged to be a large change to the person interface design. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who appears to be properly linked on the subject of this type of factor, says the star of WWDC would be the new design – code-named Solarium. Apparently, we’re speaking in regards to the greatest change since iOS 7, when Apple dropped the skeuomorphic design in favor of flat symbolic icons, modified the lock display, notifications, and extra.

We don’t know what this new interface will seem like or what interplay adjustments it can convey with it, however the rumors say it’s loosely based mostly on a number of the ideas within the Imaginative and prescient Professional interface. Gurman claims it’s “is slicker and extra trendy” on account of adopting components from visionOS. Suppose circles relatively than squares as that appears to be the theme.

New apps like Apple Invitations and Apple Sports activities might give us some clues to the interface conventions we will anticipate, as they don’t have have interfaces that slot in with most of Apple’s older apps.

Apple

Gurman additionally says “consistency and unification throughout the working programs” will probably be a significant theme of WWDC. Which signifies that there will probably be extra consistency throughout iPhone, iPad, and Mac, together with a significant enchancment to the productiveness options of iPadOS.

For instance, one rumor says the iPad will get a menu bar when docked to a Magic Keyboard, and that Stage Supervisor is being overhauled. The iPhone, in the meantime, is alleged to get a “Stage Supervisor like” multi-app view when hooked as much as an exterior show.

It’s not simply the apparent working programs both. 9to5Mac studies that CarPlay is getting a UI design to match iOS 26.

Siri delays and different Apple Intelligence options

Apple has been having bother with a few of it’s AI efforts, particularly the Siri options that had been supposed to come back in iOS 18.4 (private context, display consciousness, and in-app actions). These options have been pushed again till subsequent 12 months, which implies they need to come as an replace to iOS 19 in early 2026.

An even bigger Siri replace, based mostly on giant language fashions (LLMs), that may maintain pure conversations with the person, is now so delayed that it’s anticipated to come back maybe as a part of iOS 20, the place it was as soon as regarded as an replace to iOS 19.

At the least Siri will lastly get the brand new capabilities that we had been imagined to have by now. Apple can be mentioned to be increasing the usage of Apple Intelligence in additional of its apps. We haven’t heard of particular examples, however Apple Intelligence could possibly be used for issues like Apple Music playlist technology, suggesting apps within the App Retailer, or within the Well being and Health apps.

Nonetheless, we might not hear of any AI-related options at WWDC25. In a late Might report, Bloomberg’s Gurman mentioned Apple received’t ship “any AI breakthroughs” at WWDC.

Stage Supervisor for iPhone

We’ve heard rumors in just a few locations that Apple is engaged on a giant Stage Supervisor replace for iPad and Mac. From 9to5Mac we get a touch that it would even work on iPhone (if not on a regular basis, then at the very least with an exterior show linked).

Stage Supervisor ought to enable for far more versatile placement and sizing of home windows within the new model. For iPads, you would possibly even see a Menu bar when the iPad is docked right into a keyboard.

“Powered by Apple Intelligence”

Rumors say one of many recurring themes of iOS 19/26 goes to be various options that Apple markets as “Powered by Apple Intelligence.” These received’t all be generative-AI options, however relatively embrace lots of the type of AI-powered options Apple has employed for years throughout its apps.

Some Apple Watch options will probably be promoted this manner, although the AI fashions themselves will run in your iPhone, with the Apple Watch merely serving as your wrist-bound interface to it.

One other instance is a new battery saving mode that may use AI to investigate your utilization patterns to resolve when it will probably decrease the ability draw of sure functions or options to avoid wasting battery with out impacting the person expertise.

A new Calendar app based mostly on Mayday app (which Apple acquired final 12 months) depends on AI to assist handle your calendar.

9to5Mac studies that Messages will be capable to routinely translate messages utilizing AI. Messages may also let customers create polls.

RCS 3.0

Apple’s present implementation of RCS (Wealthy Communication Companies, used to supply extra superior texting options with Android customers) relies on the GSMA Common Profile model 2.4, which is just a little dated. Model 2.7 got here out final 12 months, however hasn’t been carried out by Apple but. It provides help for customized emoji reactions, enhancing and deleting messages, and improved spam dealing with. RCS 3.0 provides encryption for 1-to-1 messages.

Apple has introduced help for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages on all it’s platforms “in future software program updates,” so it’s probably so as to add help for all of the options in RCS 2.7 and three.0 within the iOS 19 cycle.

AirPods stay translation

One rumor from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says iOS 19 goes to get “bolstered translation expertise” and, as a part of it a stay translation function for AirPods. The AirPods will want a firmware replace as properly, and it’s not clear which fashions will help the function.

Your AirPods would ship textual content to your iPhone the place the overseas language can be acknowledged and translated within the Translate app (or the under-the-hood service that powers it), and translated audio despatched again to your AirPods. Different earbuds have had comparable options for years, so it will likely be fascinating to see if Apple goes additional or has superior performance.

Accessibility options

Apple has introduced that a number of accessibility options will probably be coming to iOS 19 within the fall. Among the many new additions are Accessibility Diet Labels let customers see whether or not an app will probably be accessible to them earlier than they obtain it; Braille Entry, which turns the iPhone right into a “full-featured Braille word taker,” and Accessibility Reader, a brand new studying mode with font, colour, and spacing choices.

iOS 19/iOS 26: App updates

With every iteration of the iPhone working system Apple normally provides a number of the included apps some consideration, and generally introduces new ones. This 12 months the next updates are anticipated.

Dwelling app upgrades

Whereas not particularly talked about in any of the present leaks or rumors, we discover it laborious to consider that Apple received’t have some important enhancements to the Dwelling app, HomeKit, and associated companies in iOS 19.

Why? Effectively, Apple is anticipated to launch a wave of latest good residence merchandise all through 2025 and 2026. A brand new Apple good residence hub is first: it’s rumored to be an inexpensive 7-inch pill that runs a customized working system (code-named Pebble). It’ll help Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and tie in with different Apple companies however isn’t anticipated to have an App Retailer.

After that, probably in 2026, Apple is alleged to be engaged on a brand new indoor good safety digital camera and a wise doorbell that might use Face ID to unlock your door the best way it unlocks your cellphone. Additional down the street, a wise residence product with a movable display on a robotic arm has been rumored, all of which would require deep integration with the iPhone and Dwelling app.

The rumored “HomePad” was rumored to launch within the spring of 2025, however was delayed to the autumn so it will probably have an interface that aligns with the large iOS 19 / macOS 15 interface adjustments. It’s laborious to think about Apple pushing a product like that into the market with out some important adjustments to the appear and feel of the Dwelling app. Examine each new Apple product coming in 2025.

Up to date Digital camera app

Jon Prosser claims to have seen the brand new Digital camera app in iOS 19, which is totally redesigned with a considerably visionOS-inspired design. Choices are condensed, the viewfinder takes up extra space, and there’s a lot of transparency.

The Photographic Kinds function might come to video, too.

Gaming app

iOS 19 will reportedly embrace a devoted gaming app, in keeping with a report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. The App may also be out there for Mac, iPad, and Apple TV, it’s claimed.

The app is alleged to faucet into the App Retailer’s video games part and Apple Arcade, supply editorial content material about new video games, and centralize all the things presently present in Sport Middle. The Mac model of the app will “faucet into video games downloaded outdoors of the App Retailer,” in keeping with Gurman. 

Music and full-screen animated lock display art work

9to5Mac studies that animated album artwork will now show on the lock display when utilizing the Music app.

Notes and Markdown help

9to5Mac additionally studies that customers will be capable to format their entries within the Notes app through the use of Markdown syntax.

Well being app updates

The Well being app might get some new options, in keeping with Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in a March publication, although these should not anticipated to be out there at launch. Apparently we might get an AI-powered well being coach that may give us personalised suggestions and warnings. These might come within the type of movies about wholesome consuming and coronary heart illness.

There’s additionally a suggestion that we might see meals monitoring added to the Well being app.