iOS 26 is now available for all users with an iPhone 11 and newer. Here’s a list of settings to change and things you should do after installing iOS 26 on your iPhone.
Many of these tips are also applicable if you just updated your iPad or iPadOS 26.
Use the new Lock Screen clock
iOS 26 allows you to change the clock size and make it massive. Paired with the right wallpaper, you can even set up the cool depth effect, where parts of the clock hide behind specific subjects of the wallpaper. Simply edit your Lock Screen or add a new wallpaper, ensure you’ve selected the first clock style, and then drag the pull tab under the clock to adjust its size.
Add a 3D Lock Screen
You can set almost any regular photo as a 3D spatial Lock Screen background. All you need to do is tap the spatial scene icon and then move your iPhone to notice the 3D effect.
View photos in 3D
Open a picture in the iOS 26 Photos app and tap the spatial scene icon to view it in 3D.
Turn off full screenshot preview
When you take a screenshot after updating to iOS 26 or iPadOS 26, the screenshot previews automatically on the full screen (so you can use visual intelligence with ease). This is annoying if you take lots of screenshots. So, to stop these full-screen previews, go to Settings > General > Screen Capture and turn off Full-Screen Previews.
Decide on CarPlay screenshots
From the same Screen Capture settings pane, you can choose if you want to take screenshots of your car’s infotainment system when using CarPlay.
Turn on Adaptive Power
You’re already familiar with the Low Power Mode feature on iPhone. iOS 26 adds a new Adaptive Power Mode for iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and newer models.
When turned on, Adaptive Power makes minor performance adjustments, such as reducing screen brightness by 3%, limiting background activity, allowing certain tasks to take longer to complete, or automatically activating Low Power Mode at 20% battery.
Adaptive Power mode is already enabled on iPhone 17 series, but you can manually turn it on for other models by going to iOS 26 Settings > Battery > Power Mode.
Try the new clear app icons
One of the notable visual changes to your iPhone and iPad Home Screen this year is the addition of a new semi-transparent icon set. This strips away the colors of all app icons and widgets and turns them into small glass slabs.
Touch and hold the iOS 26 Home Screen and tap Edit > Customize. Select Clear and choose Light, Dark, or Auto styles.
Try the new Reflections ringtone
The default ‘Reflection’ ringtone in iOS 26 now comes in six new variants. Go to iPhone Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone > Reflection and try all of them to pick your favorite.
Use any music file as the ringtone
iOS 26 lets you use any audio file under 30 seconds as your iPhone ringtone. Just tap the share button for the audio file and choose Use as Ringtone.
Turn on AutoMix in Apple Music
AutoMix transitions you seamlessly from one song to the next like a DJ. It’s the improved and intelligent version of the old Crossfade feature. Try it now if you have an Apple Music subscription.
Decide on your Safari design
iOS 26 has revamped the Safari URL address bar style. But if you don’t like the new Compact design, go to Settings > Apps > Safari and select Bottom or Top.
Set up Call Screening
Not entertaining unknown calls has been a feature available on iPhone for several years. The latest iOS 26 improves on it. Now, your iPhone can automatically pick up a call from an unknown person, ask for more information, such as their name and the reason for the call, and then alert you. You can decide to take the call or ignore it.
Go to iOS 26 Settings > Apps > Phone and select Ask Reason for Calling under the Screen Unknown Callers heading.
Stop accidental calls by disabling this feature
iOS 26 has a redesigned ‘Unified’ Phone app, where tapping a recent call will start calling it back. To prevent accidental call backs, go to iPhone Settings > Apps > Phone and turn off Tap Recents to Call. Note that you won’t see this option if you’ve reverted to the old Phone app design.
Enable lens cleaning for the camera
Have you ever taken a picture only to find it wasn’t clear because the camera lens was dirty? iOS 26 has a handy new feature that reminds you to clean the lens if your iPhone detects dirt or grime on the sensors. Go to Settings > Camera and enable Lens Cleaning Hints.
Enable Live Translation for foreign chats
If you often communicate via iMessage with your friends, relatives, or colleagues in Spanish, French, or other foreign languages, the iOS 26 Messages app can now translate text in real-time. Download the translation languages and then turn on the switch for Automatically Translate from the chat info screen in Messages.
Select specific text in a message
iOS 26 allows you to select just the desired part of a text message as opposed to copying the entire message, and then re-copying the part you want. All you need to do is touch and hold a message bubble and tap Select. Then, select the desired portion of the message and copy it or take other action, such as Look Up or Translate.
Add a message chat background
You no longer have to settle for a plain white or black message background. Simply tap a person’s name from the top and go to the Backgrounds tab to use a photo, color, or other built-in backgrounds for this conversation.
Set a custom Snooze duration
iOS 26 finally lets you choose a custom Snooze duration instead of keeping it fixed to nine minutes. When setting an alarm, tap the Snooze Duration option and select an option from 1 minute to 15 minutes.
Which of these features are you most excited to use?