iOS 26.2: 8 Exciting New Features Arriving Next Month
▼ Summary
– Apple released the first iOS 26.2 beta with new features including a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen clock and offline lyrics in Apple Music.
– The update revises Sleep Score ranges in the Health and Sleep apps, adjusting the thresholds for categories like Very Low, Low, OK, High, and Very High.
– iOS 26.2 enables alarms for reminders in the Reminders app by toggling the “Urgent” option when setting a time.
– AirPods Live Translation becomes available in the EU with iOS 26.2, allowing real-time language translation through compatible AirPods and iPhones.
– Additional enhancements include Apple Podcasts features like automatic chapters, a revamped Apple News app with a “Following” tab, and screen flash options for notifications.
Apple’s latest iOS 26.2 update is set to arrive next month, bringing a host of fresh features to compatible iPhones. Following the recent beta release, users can look forward to enhancements ranging from customizable Lock Screen elements to expanded offline capabilities in Apple Music. While Apple has confirmed a December rollout, the exact date remains unspecified.
One standout addition is the Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen clock. This new control lets you fine-tune the opacity of the clock’s Liquid Glass effect, giving you more flexibility over its appearance. It builds on the Clear and Tinted options introduced in iOS 26.1.
Apple Music subscribers will appreciate the new offline lyrics support. You can now view song lyrics even without an internet connection, making it easier to sing along during flights or in areas with poor reception.
Sleep tracking receives an update as well. The Sleep Score ranges in the Health and Sleep apps have been adjusted to provide more accurate feedback. The revised categories are: Very Low (0–40), Low (41–60), OK (61–80), High (81–95), and Very High (96–100). These scores consider sleep duration, bedtime consistency, and nighttime awakenings.
For those who rely on reminders, iOS 26.2 introduces alarms for reminders. By marking a reminder as “Urgent” and setting a time, your iPhone will sound an alarm when it’s due, ensuring you never miss an important task.
Apple Podcasts gains several useful features. Listeners will benefit from automatic episode chapters, timed links displayed on screen, and the ability to explore other podcasts mentioned directly from the audio player or transcript.
The Apple News app has been refreshed with a dedicated “Following” tab and quick-access buttons for popular topics like sports, puzzles, and politics. This makes navigating your preferred content faster and more intuitive.
Accessibility gets a boost with a new screen flash option for notifications. Previously limited to the rear LED flash, you can now choose to have your screen flash, use the LED, both, or neither. This setting is found under Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Flash for Alerts.
Finally, AirPods Live Translation expands to the European Union with this update. This feature allows real-time translation during conversations, ideal for travelers or multilingual interactions. For the best experience, both speakers should use AirPods with Live Translation enabled. If the other person isn’t using AirPods, a live transcription can be shown on your iPhone.
Live Translation works with AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and higher-end AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. It requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer with Apple Intelligence enabled and the Translate app installed. Supported languages include English (U.S. and U.K.), French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, and Italian.
It’s worth noting that iOS 26 also includes a built-in Live Translation feature for Messages, Phone, and FaceTime, which doesn’t require AirPods.
(Source: Mac Rumors)
