iOS 26 Top 10 Must Try Features The Ones That Will Make You Say Why Didnt They Do This Sooner

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iOS 26 Top 10 Must Try Features The Ones That Will Make You Say Why Didnt They Do This Sooner

iOS 26 hit our iPhones on September 15 2025 and it is not just a visual glow up with that mesmerizing Liquid Glass UI. It is loaded with practical tweaks that feel like Apple finally listened to our late night gripes. From AI smarts that save you from endless hold music to photo tricks that bring memories to life these are the 10 features you will want to fire up first. Pulled from the update highlights they are the kind that sneak into your routine and stick. Lets dive in ranked by how much they change your day to day www.apple.com.

1- Live Translation in Messages and FaceTime

Ever fumbled through a bilingual chat. This Apple Intelligence gem provides real time captions and voice translation for conversations supporting dozens of languages. Fire it up in a group thread or call and it feels like having a pocket interpreter minus the awkward pauses. It works offline for basics but shines on Wi Fi.
Compatible models iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
How to enable Go to Settings General Language and Region then toggle Live Translation. It also appears automatically inside Messages and FaceTime when a supported language is detected.

2- Call Screening and Hold Assist

Tired of robocalls or eternal hold times. Screen unknown callers with AI that greets them and transcribes responses or let Hold Assist detect music and notify you when a human is back. Enable in Settings Phone and save your sanity during customer service marathons.
Compatible models iPhone 15 Pro and newer. How to enable Open Settings Phone and toggle Call Screening and Hold Assist.

3- Genmoji and Image Playground

Get creative with custom emojis generated from descriptions like a robot eating pizza or AI images in any style via ChatGPT integration. You can access it from the emoji keyboard or Messages. It is fun for memes but also surprisingly useful for quick visuals in notes or chats.
Compatible models iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
How to enable In Messages open the emoji keyboard and tap the plus Genmoji icon. For Image Playground go to Settings Apple Intelligence and make sure Creative Tools are on.

4- Spatial Scenes in Photos

Turn flat photos into immersive 3D experiences with subtle depth and motion. Open a picture toggle Spatial on iPhone 12 and later and tilt to explore. It is like reliving that beach sunset and perfect for sharing wow moments on social.
Compatible models iPhone 12 and newer.
How to enable In Photos open any picture and tap Effects then choose Spatial.

5- Liquid Glass UI Customization

The translucent fluid redesign is not just pretty. You can customize icons widgets and Lock Screen tints to match your MagSafe case or mood. Long press the Home Screen to tweak. It is subtle at first but soon your iPhone feels uniquely yours with adaptive elements that shift with Dark Mode.
Compatible models iPhone 11 and newer.
How to enable Long press the Home Screen or Lock Screen then tap Customize.

6- Hold Assist Detection

Building on screening this feature waits out hold music and pings you when it is your turn. Toggle it in Settings Phone. Early users say it shaves hours off bill disputes turning dread into finally.
Compatible models iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
How to enable Open Settings Phone and turn on Hold Assist.

7- Adaptive Power Mode

iOS 26s battery brain learns your habits and auto throttles background tasks on low days without killing performance where it counts. Enable it in Settings Battery and expect 10 to 20 percent longer life on heavy use days like travel.
Compatible models iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
How to enable Settings Battery Power Mode then choose Adaptive.

8- Custom Snooze Durations

Ditch the eternal 9 minute snooze for 1 to 30 minutes tailored to your sleep style. In Clock Alarm Snooze Duration set it and forget. Small win but mornings just got less groggy.
Compatible models iPhone 11 and newer.
How to enable In Clock open any alarm tap Snooze Duration and set your preference.

9- AirPods as Remote Shutter

With H2 chip AirPods you can double tap to snap photos or start video from across the room. Open Camera pull down Controls and select AirPods mic. It is ideal for solo vlogs or tripod setups without awkward timers.
Compatible models iPhone 12 and newer with AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Max H2.
How to enable Open Camera then pull down Control Center and tap Remote Devices AirPods.

10- Unknown Callers List

This feature filters and logs spam calls in a dedicated spot with cross app marking to silence repeats. In Phone settings it is on by default so your ringtone stays sacred for real connections.
Compatible models iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
How to enable Go to Settings Phone Unknown Callers List to review or toggle.

Final Thoughts

iOS 26s best bits are the ones that fit your life like a favorite playlist seamless smart and surprisingly delightful. Start with Live Translation if you are globetrotting or Adaptive Power if battery anxiety hits hard. Want more. Check our article on the hidden iOS 26 PDF secrets that Apple did not say out loud.