iOS 26.2 Launches: Liquid Glass, AirDrop & Apple Music Upgrades
▼ Summary
– Apple released iOS 26.2 for iPhone 11 and newer, introducing new Lock Screen opacity controls and a one-time code system for AirDrop with non-contacts.
– The update adds an “urgent” alarm option in Reminders, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and brings delayed Live Translation for AirPods to the EU.
– iOS 26.2 includes an Apple Podcasts update that auto-generates chapters for English podcasts and adds timed links within episodes.
– iPadOS 26.2 reintroduces a drag-and-drop multi-tasking feature and includes many of the iOS updates, like urgent reminders and podcast features.
– Updates for other platforms include Enhanced Safety Alerts for the US on iOS and watchOS, new travel and content creation features for visionOS, and profile options for tvOS.
Apple has rolled out its latest software update, iOS 26.2, bringing a suite of new features to compatible iPhones and other devices. This release focuses on enhanced personalization, improved communication tools, and expanded safety measures, ensuring users have a more intuitive and secure experience. The update is available for iPhone 11 and newer models, with corresponding releases for macOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and watchOS.
A standout addition is the new Lock Screen customization that allows users to adjust the opacity level of their background, offering greater control over the visual aesthetic. Communication gets a boost with a revamped AirDrop function; you can now share files with individuals not in your contacts by generating and exchanging a one-time code. The Reminders app introduces an “urgent” option that triggers an alarm when a task’s due time arrives, ensuring critical items aren’t missed. For music lovers, Apple Music now supports offline lyrics for downloaded songs and automatically generates a Favorite Songs playlist within the Top Picks section.
Safety and accessibility receive significant attention in this update. The previously delayed Live Translation feature for AirPods is now available to users in the European Union. In the United States, Enhanced Safety Alerts provide critical notifications about imminent threats like floods or natural disasters, complete with detailed maps and links to official safety guidance. The Apple Podcasts app also sees major improvements, including automatically generated chapters for English-language podcasts and the introduction of timed links that appear at specific moments during an episode.
The update extends across Apple’s ecosystem. iPadOS 26.2 notably reinstates the popular drag-and-drop multitasking feature for rearranging apps, which was temporarily removed in the previous major update. It also incorporates many of the iOS enhancements, such as the urgent reminders and improved Lock Screen options. For Vision Pro users, visionOS 26.2 expands Travel Mode support to cars and buses, adds compatibility for hand-drawn content with accessories like the Logitech Music, and introduces table support in Freeform for managing virtual spreadsheets.
Apple TV devices receive tvOS 26.2, enabling profile creation without an Apple account and introducing a strict age-restricted mode that adheres to preset content ratings. On the wrist, watchOS 26.2 brings the same vital Enhanced Safety Alerts feature to the Apple Watch and includes refinements to how sleep scores are calculated and categorized in the Sleep Score app. This coordinated update across platforms underscores Apple’s commitment to a seamless and feature-rich user experience.
(Source: The Verge)
