iOS 26 Update: Must-Change iPhone Settings Before You Upgrade
Apple’s new update iOS 26 is finally going to be released, and the excitement of tech lovers is at its peak. If you are wondering “when does iOS 26 come out“, then the good news is that the iOS 26 release date and time are scheduled this week itself. This is a common question for every Apple fan that “When is iOS 26 coming out?” or “What time will iOS 26 be released?”, and that is why people are preparing to update their iPhones.
But one thing is important to remember: before installing the update, tweak some settings of your phone. These small changes make your iPhone faster, private and smooth. It will feel like you have got a new iPhone.
iOS 26 Release Date and Time: Why This Update Matters
Apple’s new update iOS 26 introduces the Liquid Glass interface and new features. With every new iOS, people are curious about “what is the iOS 26 release time?”. According to Apple’s previous trends, updates are usually pushed in the late night or early morning hours. So if you are asking “what time will iOS 26 be released?”, then expect the release to be available globally in a phased manner.
If you are using iOS 18.6 till now, then this is the right time for you to change some hidden settings. These changes will refresh your phone’s performance and also extend battery life.
Turn Off Categories in Mail App
Change Default Buttons on Lock Screen
Earlier, the flashlight and camera were fixed in the corners of the lock screen, but now in iOS 26, you can customize these spots. Whether you want to toggle Dark Mode, open Shazam, or use Tap to Cash, you can easily set everything. This makes your iPhone experience more personal.
Prioritize Notifications with AI
Along with Apple Intelligence, iOS 26 has brought a new feature in which notifications are prioritized. Meaning now spam or random alerts will not disturb you. Only important notifications like texts from family and friends will be highlighted to you. This feature is perfect for both productivity and peace.
Action Button Gets Smarter
The Action Button of iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series has now been made more customizable. Now you can use your phone’s mute switch for multiple tasks, such as opening the camera, ordering coffee or controlling Apple TV. iOS 26 also adds Visual Intelligence to the Action Button, which makes AI more accessible.
A Fresh Look for Your Home Screen
The most exciting feature for every Apple user is the ability to customize their home screen. iOS 26 brings the option to arrange apps anywhere in a grid. Dark Mode and tinted icons give your phone a completely new look. Options to hide large icons and labels have also been added. This feature gives every user a chance to make their iPhone extremely personal.
Control Center Redesign
Control Center is no longer just a shortcut panel. You can now resize, reposition and customize controls. Adding multiple screens can turn your Control Center into a complete toolkit. This feature makes daily usage even smoother and more powerful.
Lock and Hide Apps for Privacy
Privacy has always been Apple’s identity, and iOS 26 has improved it further. Now you can lock and even hide your sensitive apps with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. Hidden apps go into a secure folder, which keeps your data completely private.
Photos App: No More Loop Videos
Auto-looping videos used to seem irritating, but now you can turn off the loop videos option in iOS 26. Now videos will stop after playing once, and if you want, you can also disable auto-play.
Calendar App Improvements
In the Calendar app, there is now an option to see the month view in detail through pinch zoom. Along with this, the multi-day view has also been added, in which the schedules of two days are clearly shown together. This small update improves productivity a lot.
Enhance Dialogue in TV App
Not being able to hear dialogue clearly while watching movies and TV shows is a common problem. An enhanced dialogue feature has been added to the TV app in iOS 26, which suppresses background noise and makes voices crystal clear.
Why These Changes Before Updating to iOS 26?
You must be wondering why it is important to do all this before the update. It’s simple – these tweaks already optimize your phone. When the iOS 26 release date and time come and you update, your phone will look absolutely smooth and fresh. These settings will save your battery, boost performance and also keep your privacy secure.
Disclaimer:
This article is written for informational purposes. The features and release time of iOS 26 will be considered final as per Apple’s official announcement. Always take a backup of your iPhone before installing the update.
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