7 leaked iOS 26 options which have me excited for 2026

It is no secret that Apple has so much within the pipeline proper now. On the {hardware} entrance, the corporate is rumored to launch new Macs and iPads, together with a new Apple TV, early subsequent 12 months. Wanting additional forward, Apple’s first foldable iPhone and the iPhone 18 Professional may arrive in fall 2026.

However, in fact, it is not simply {hardware} that Apple is busy with. On the software program entrance, the corporate lately launched considered one of its most vital iOS updates in years with iOS 26, bringing a bunch of recent options alongside a considerable design overhaul within the type of Liquid Glass.

Whereas Apple’s upcoming {hardware} usually steals the highlight, its software program updates could be simply as thrilling. Because of a leaked iOS 26 construct reported by MacRumors and MacWorld, we now have a clearer concept of what Apple could be planning for subsequent 12 months. With that in thoughts, listed here are the leaked iOS 26 options I am most enthusiastic about.

Well being+

Apple could be overhauling its Well being app in 2026

First up is Well being+. It has been talked about on this leaked iOS 26 construct, and, based mostly on Bloomberg’s reporting earlier this 12 months, Well being+ could possibly be a complete overhaul of Apple’s Well being app, together with a brand new AI-powered well being coach.

Whereas the Well being app will stay free to make use of, Well being+ may reportedly be a paid subscription, with its AI well being coach in a position to analyze your well being knowledge to offer “tailored suggestions to enhance your well being.” So if you happen to’re into Apple’s health initiatives, Well being+ is an iOS 26 function to look out for. In accordance with MacRumors, it is listed within the leaked construct with a spring 2026 date.

Siri’s Apple Intelligence improve

Apple is ready to lastly overhaul Siri with AI options subsequent 12 months

Credit score: Apple

In fact, one of the crucial mentioned options for iOS 26 subsequent 12 months is Siri. Apple famously unveiled its revamped Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence, at WWDC 2024. Earlier this 12 months, Apple delayed it till 2026, with an Apple spokesperson saying it is “going to take us longer than we thought to ship” on Siri’s AI options, which embody the assistant being extra conversational and having extra “consciousness of your private context.”

Within the leaked iOS 26 construct, the up to date model of Siri is reportedly marked as spring 2026, indicating Siri could possibly be able to launch with iOS 26.4. This aligns with what Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported earlier this 12 months, stating that Apple has an “inner goal date” of spring 2026 for its revamped Siri and its iOS 26.4 replace. Siri can be rumored to be powered by a customized giant language mannequin (LLM) based mostly on Google Gemini.

New bank card autofill

Making purchases in third-party apps will quickly be simpler

The leaked iOS 26 construct additionally factors to a brand new autofill system in improvement that will allow you to save your bank card data and mechanically fill it in throughout third-party apps — much like how iCloud Keychain already saves and autofills account credentials whenever you log into web sites and apps (through MacWorld).

Whereas some third-party apps assist Apple Pay or allow you to scan your card to enter particulars manually, iOS at present has no bank card autofill function, so including one can be genuinely useful. MacRumors says the function may arrive in fall 2026, whereas MacWorld says it was referenced as a part of iOS 26.4 within the spring, making its precise launch timing unclear.

Dwell captions growth

Extra accessibility updates are additionally probably coming

Dwell Captions is an accessibility function on iOS that transcribes audio from apps or in-person spoken conversations in actual time, serving to individuals with listening to impairments. Within the leaked iOS 26 construct there are reportedly references to the function being expanded to extra languages, and it could be introduced at WWDC 2026.

Along with stay captions, there’s additionally reportedly point out of a brand new tilt-to-scroll function, a brand new model of Background Sounds (which performs ambient noises to assist individuals focus), and new Apple Watch controls for Dwell Pay attention, together with a “Rewind 30 seconds” function.

Apple Pockets fee notifications

A pleasant reminder

I am an enormous fan of Apple Pockets, so naturally my eyes have been drawn to those two references to it within the leaked iOS 26 construct, which level to “BankConnectUpcomingPaymentNotification” and “AppleCardUpcomingPaymentNotification” (through MacRumors).

Primarily based on the names of those code strings, Apple Pockets could quickly be capable to ship notifications for upcoming funds in your financial institution card or Apple Card, making it simpler to remain on high of payments. These modifications are reportedly tagged as a part of WWDC 2026, suggesting we may hear about them in June for both iOS 26 or iOS 27.

App updates

Apple could possibly be updating Freeform, Journal, and the Images app

Moreover Apple Pockets, a number of different apps within the leaked iOS 26 construct are set to obtain updates. Freeform, for instance, will reportedly achieve folders to make organizing boards simpler and probably sync with iCloud (through MacWorld). The Journal app can be talked about, with a brand new function known as “follow-up prompts” within the works.

The Images app may see new options in 2026, together with “Connections” and “Shared Collections,” probably arriving later within the 12 months. Podcasts might also get updates, similar to a button to translate transcripts and the power to faucet a translated paragraph to have it learn aloud.

Sports activities tier for Apple TV

Extra sports activities content material could possibly be on the way in which

Credit score: Pocket-lint / Apple

Lastly, turning to Apple TV, the leaked iOS 26 construct references a brand new “Sports activities Tier.” It is unclear what this can finally embody, nevertheless it suggests Apple could also be trying to additional increase its sports activities choices on the platform.

Apple’s sports activities ambitions are well-known, with its ongoing Friday Night Baseball partnership with MLB and its deal to carry Major League Soccer (MLS) video games to Apple TV in 2026. A brand new “Sports activities Tier” or further paid sports activities service would match into that technique.

The function is reportedly set to launch in spring 2026 as a part of iOS 26.4, so we’ll have to attend a bit longer for extra particulars.