When and where to download iOS 26 in India and US? All you need to know

Apple has officially launched its highly anticipated iOS 26 update, following its announcement at the WWDC 25 conference in June. Starting today, iPhone users around the world can begin downloading the latest version of the operating system. In addition to iOS 26, Apple is also releasing updates for iPadOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, and watchOS 26, all available from today. The rollout is expected to commence around 10 a.m. Pacific Time, which corresponds to 10:30 p.m. in India. To ensure a smooth update process, users are advised to back up their devices to iCloud or an external storage solution to safeguard their data. It’s also important for users to have their iPhones charged to at least 50% or connected to a power source during the installation. The standout feature of iOS 26 is the introduction of a new design language named "Liquid Design," which offers a fresh visual experience with translucent, fluid elements that mimic real glass. Alongside aesthetic improvements, Apple has included several new AI-driven functionalities. These include enhanced Live Translation capabilities in Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app. Furthermore, the Phone app now incorporates a feature that screens calls from unknown numbers, prompting callers to state their name and purpose. This allows users to decide whether to accept or ignore the call. To combat spam and distractions, a new filtering feature has been added to manage messages from unfamiliar senders. Additionally, users can leverage tools like Visual Intelligence for various tasks, including product searches, utilizing ChatGPT for immediate answers, or adding events to their calendars simply by looking at them. For those eager to know more about upcoming devices, details regarding the expected pricing, features, and launch dates for the iPhone 17 series are also circulating, creating excitement in the tech community.