Apple introduced iOS 26 at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, and the tech big has since launched multiple beta versions of the software program. These variations convey new options, like a Liquid Glass design, call screening, new ringtones and extra, to the iPhones of builders and beta testers. You possibly can anticipate lots of these capabilities to land in your iPhone throughout the subsequent few weeks.
Apple stated it is going to launch the replace to most people this fall, which is nice however not essentially the most useful timeframe. But when we take a look at past Apple events in September and earlier iOS releases, a sample emerges. Apple normally releases iOS variations a number of days after the corporate’s September occasion and we should always anticipate that to carry this yr.
Apple is traditionally tight-lipped about new merchandise and releases however I used to be proper about iOS 18’s release in 2024 and iOS 17’s release in 2023, so let’s examine if I can preserve this streak going. Here is after I assume the tech firm will launch iOS 26 — I do not assume we do not have for much longer to attend.
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When is Apple’s September occasion?
iOS 26 will introduce a brand new Liquid Glass design to your iPhone.
Apple will maintain its “Awe Dropping” occasion on Tuesday, Sept. 9, the identical day I predicted the corporate would. Previously 10 years, Apple has solely held its September occasion between Sept. 7 and 14, normally on Tuesday (six occasions), with a number of Wednesdays (thrice) and one Monday.
We do not normally have to attend lengthy after Apple’s September occasion for iOS updates to be launched.
Why will Apple launch iOS 26 shortly after the occasion?
Apple does not normally announce the discharge of iOS variations, however it does stick near a script from yr to yr.
After most of Apple’s September occasions, the corporate releases the subsequent iOS inside every week. In 2024, for instance, Apple’s event was held on Sept. 9 and iOS 18 was launched seven days in a while Sept. 16. And in 2023 Apple’s event was held on Sept. 12 and it launched iOS 17 six days in a while Sept. 18.
There’s solely been one yr prior to now decade the place it took longer than every week for Apple to launch the subsequent iOS model — 2019. Even then, Apple nonetheless launched the subsequent iOS model 9 days after its September occasion.
The variety of days between Apple’s September occasion and the discharge of the subsequent iOS model has additionally trended — barely — downward prior to now decade. In 2015, Apple launched iOS 9 on Sept. 16, seven days after the corporate’s September occasion, and in 2022 Apple launched iOS 16 on Sept. 12, 5 days after the corporate’s Sept. 7 occasion.
In that very same timeframe, Apple launched six iOS variations inside every week of the occasion. So I am predicting Apple will launch iOS 26 six or seven days after its Sept. 9 occasion.
Apple has additionally launched the previous 4 iOS variations on the Monday following its September occasions. So this might be the brand new norm and Apple will launch all future iOS variations on the Monday after its September occasion. So it is almost definitely that Apple will launch iOS 26 on a Monday.
Watch this: iPhone Air Is a Wild Card – and Begins a Large Change for Apple
Nice, so what date will Apple launch iOS 26?
I predict Apple will launch iOS 26 on the Monday, Sept. 15, the week after its Sept. 9 occasion.
For extra on iOS 26, listed here are my first impressions of the beta, the way to allow call screening within the beta and all of the new features Apple stated it is going to convey to your gadget later this yr. You can even take a look at our iOS 26 cheat sheet.
