Apple’s headline iOS 26 options like Apple Intelligence and redesigned apps are likely to get all the eye. However among 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 here are 13 updates you might need missed.
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AirPods get smarter whenever you go to sleep
One of the sensible underrated iOS 26 updates is automated pausing for AirPods when the system detects you’ve fallen asleep. No extra waking as much as the subsequent 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 once I go to sleep listening to audio.
CarPlay, meet handoff
One other good contact is expanded Automated Switching, which now contains help for CarPlay as a part of the handoff expertise. That is helpful for whenever you go from grocery buying 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 photos, and location-based entry maps. It’s additionally coming to iPad and Mac, with iCloud syncing throughout all units for simpler entry and continuity.
Should you discovered the Journal app to be underwhelming when it first launched, iOS 26 offers you an excellent cause to revisit the app. Inline picture help jogs my memory loads 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 characteristic that allows 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 whenever 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 help in Notes
Notes now helps importing and exporting Markdown-formatted information. 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 manner
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 a substitute of counting on autocorrect.
That is a type of options which you could’t consider it took 26 19 variations so as to add, nevertheless it’s right here ultimately.
Clock alarm snooze is now customizable
One other a type of underrated iOS 26 updates offers you extra management over your alarms. Now you can select your individual snooze time, anyplace from 1 to fifteen minutes.
For the unlucky ones who endure their accomplice’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 energetic. This makes it simpler to separate work and private contacts with out disabling your total telephone. That’s the kind of characteristic that you simply actually admire if you want it.
eSIM will get journey smarts
iOS 26 improves how iPhone manages eSIMs. It might probably now robotically change between journey and residential traces and disable the journey SIM whenever you’re again. You’ll be able to nonetheless use your private home quantity for FaceTime and iMessage whereas overseas, with no need to toggle settings. Adequate cause 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 help expands
Apple has redesigned the Calculator app to help Japanese Arabic numerals and a right-to-left format. A brand new Multiscript Arabic keyboard lets customers sort in each Arabic and English with out switching keyboards. The Calculator group has been on a roll ever since Math Notes and the iPad app.
Podcasts improve audio and pace management
The Podcasts app now contains an “Improve Dialogue” characteristic that improves voice readability. Playback pace choices now vary from 0.5x to 3x, and you may set totally different speeds for various reveals. Nonetheless no skip silence characteristic. Apple solely gives that within the Voice Memos app. The tremendous gradual and tremendous quick new pace options are really hidden options, too, as they solely seem whenever you regulate pace. The visible vary indicator is restricted to human listening speeds.
Security Verify 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 type of apparent options which you could’t consider didn’t exist earlier than, however now now we have it. Good enchancment.
9to5Mac’s Take
iOS 26 is chock-full of recent design selections to view, higher Apple Intelligence experiences in additional locations, and a few really 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 characteristic? Something tremendous particular that you simply nonetheless need Apple to ship? Pontificate within the feedback!
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