Apple's latest mobile operating system is full of powerful new AI features, but you'll need an iPhone from 2020 or later in order to take advantage of them. My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can ...

1. On the iPhone's lock screen, touch and hold anywhere on the display until you see the Customize button. You'll need to unlock the phone using Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. If it opens the home screen, swipe down from the center-top of the screen (not the right edge, which brings up Control Center.

To be more specific, the best estimate anyone has for the release date of iOS 26 is Sept. 16.

You can install the update right now via Settings > General > Software Update. Let’s take a look at a few features that are a little harder to miss. Some features require an Apple Intelligence capable device,