Apple’s headline iOS 26 options like Apple Intelligence and redesigned apps are likely to get all the eye. However a number of the most helpful adjustments are simple to overlook. These underrated iOS 26 updates quietly enhance the iPhone expertise in ways in which don’t make the keynote however nonetheless matter in on a regular basis use.
From smarter AirPods habits to new journaling instruments and higher battery estimates, listed below are 13 updates you might need missed.
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AirPods get smarter while you go to sleep
Probably the most sensible underrated iOS 26 updates is computerized pausing for AirPods when the system detects you’ve fallen asleep. No extra waking as much as the following podcast in your queue or loud music after you drift off to sleep. Now if solely iOS 26 may persuade my canine that AirPods aren’t chew toys after I go to sleep listening to audio.
CarPlay, meet handoff
One other good contact is expanded Automated Switching, which now contains assist for CarPlay as a part of the handoff expertise. That is helpful for while you go from grocery purchasing or an out of doors exercise to driving and need to decide up the place you left off in your music or podcast.
Journal expands with new views and syncing
The Journal app now helps a number of journals, inline photographs, and location-based entry maps. It’s additionally coming to iPad and Mac, with iCloud syncing throughout all gadgets for simpler entry and continuity.
When you discovered the Journal app to be underwhelming when it first launched, iOS 26 provides you purpose to revisit the app. Inline picture assist jogs my memory a number of iWeb and iPhoto Journal, two nice discontinued Apple software program options from earlier a long time.
Password historical past tracks your adjustments
The brand new Passwords app now features a historical past function that permits you to view previous adjustments for every login. That is particularly useful when making an attempt to get well accounts or verify what passwords you beforehand used.
Most significantly, this successfully solves the issue that happens while you override your previous password and assume it saves on the app or web site, however discover out it truly wants your previous password nonetheless.
Markdown assist in Notes
Notes now helps importing and exporting Markdown-formatted recordsdata. This makes it simpler for customers who collaborate with third-party instruments or favor structured writing codecs.
Whereas Markdown importing and exporting isn’t one thing I would like, it’s good to see Apple deal with Notes like a correct competitor to third-party notes apps that talk Markdown.
Dictation now spells it your approach
Dictation in iOS 26 is healthier at dealing with distinctive spellings, particularly for names or region-specific phrases. Now you can proactively spell out what you imply as an alternative of counting on autocorrect.
That is a kind of options that you may’t consider it took 26 19 variations so as to add, but it surely’s right here finally.
Clock alarm snooze is now customizable
One other a kind of underrated iOS 26 updates provides you extra management over your alarms. Now you can select your personal snooze time, wherever from 1 to fifteen minutes.
For the unlucky ones who endure their associate’s snoozed alarms, now a single alarm can repeat each minute!
Focus-based SIM silencing
Twin SIM customers get new choices with Focus mode. Now you can silence particular SIMs relying on the Focus mode that’s lively. This makes it simpler to separate work and private contacts with out disabling your complete telephone. That’s the form of function that you just actually admire if you want it.
eSIM will get journey smarts
iOS 26 improves how iPhone manages eSIMs. It might now routinely change between journey and residential strains and disable the journey SIM while you’re again. You possibly can nonetheless use your property quantity for FaceTime and iMessage whereas overseas, with no need to toggle settings. Ok purpose to plan your subsequent worldwide getaway.
Battery estimates and adaptive energy
Battery Settings now present estimated time to achieve a cost degree. Adaptive energy use additionally learns your habits and adjusts efficiency on days when it expects you’ll use extra battery.
Why didn’t anybody consider cost time estimates prior to now?! Everybody can profit from somewhat additional battery life assist, particularly potential future iPhones that favor thinness over battery capability.
Arabic language assist expands
Apple has redesigned the Calculator app to assist Japanese Arabic numerals and a right-to-left format. A brand new Multiscript Arabic keyboard lets customers kind in each Arabic and English with out switching keyboards. The Calculator workforce has been on a roll ever since Math Notes and the iPad app.
Podcasts improve audio and velocity management
The Podcasts app now contains an “Improve Dialogue” function that improves voice readability. Playback velocity choices now vary from 0.5x to 3x, and you’ll set totally different speeds for various reveals. Nonetheless no skip silence function. Apple solely presents that within the Voice Memos app. The tremendous sluggish and tremendous quick new velocity options are actually hidden options, too, as they solely seem while you modify velocity. The visible vary indicator is restricted to human listening speeds.
Security Examine can now take away shared entry for blocked contacts. If somebody you beforehand shared data with is blocked, now you can revoke their entry throughout the system with one motion. That is a kind of apparent options that you may’t consider didn’t exist earlier than, however now we’ve it. Good enchancment.
9to5Mac’s Take
iOS 26 is chock-full of latest design selections to view, higher Apple Intelligence experiences in additional locations, and a few actually nice updates to system apps like Music and Messages. Nonetheless, it’s the handful of options like these that make iOS updates memorable. They stack as much as spherical out iOS updates lengthy after we get adjusted to new icons and layouts.
What’s your favourite low-key iOS 26 function? Something tremendous particular that you just nonetheless need Apple to ship? Hold forth within the feedback!
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