Apple recently announced iOS 26, the next major software update for iPhones, and it’s packed with a whole bunch of new features. Here’s a bit more detail on what you can expect from iOS 26 when you install it on your device. Still, when you first boot up your phone on iOS 26 for the first time, it’s going to feel a little jarring. Messages is getting better for group chatsPhoto by Allison Johnson / The VergeIn Messages, iOS 26 is adding a lot of updates that could significantly improve group chats. Update, July 24th: iOS 26’s public beta is now available, so we’ve made some slight changes to this article to reflect that.