Apple has just released new software updates for all major platforms. Here’s what to expect.
iOS 26.2/iPadOS 26.2
First up, Apple has released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2
You can download the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone or iPad.
Here’s the changes to the iPhone:
Apple Music
– Favorite Songs playlist appears in Top Picks on the home tab
– Offline lyrics for downloaded songs so you can view them without an internet connection
Podcasts
– Automatically generated chapters make it easier to navigate episodes
– Links to mentioned podcasts let you see and follow other podcasts mentioned in the episode you’re listening to directly from the player and transcript
Games
– Filters in the Games library let you find games by category, size, and more
– In-game challenge score banners provide real-time updates when someone new has taken the lead
– Improved support for connected controllers such as Backbone and Razer
This update also includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
– Additional Lock Screen time customization option lets you further adjust its appearance, giving the Liquid Glass material more or less opacity
– Enhanced Safety Alerts can inform you about imminent threats such as floods, natural disasters, and other emergencies, with rich information like a map of affected areas and links to additional safety guidance (available in the U.S.)
– Alarms for Reminders help you stay on top of urgent tasks, and provide snooze and Live Activity support if you’re not ready to check the reminder off
– AirDrop codes offer an additional layer of verification when using AirDrop with unknown contacts by providing a code on the receiver’s device that the sender must enter to complete the transfer
– Apple News Section links at the top of the Today feed offer easy navigation to popular topics like Sports, Politics, Business, and Food
– Multipack accessory pairing in the Home app lets you use the same setup code to easily enroll multiple accessories when sold together
– Flash for alerts in Accessibility Settings offers the additional option to have the device screen flash when you receive a notification
– Tables in Freeform can hold text, images, documents, and drawings, with cells that intelligently resize to fit, bringing structure to the infinite canvas
– Fixes an issue where pre-release albums in the Apple Music library were not immediately playable at their release time
– Fixes an issue where a Privacy and Security setting may incorrectly be marked as managed by an enterprise organization.
Here are Apple’s release notes for iPadOS 26.2
Multitasking
– Multitasking gestures to quickly tile windows or place an app in Slide Over by dragging app icons from the Dock
Apple Music
– Favorite Songs playlist appears in Top Picks on the home tab
– Offline lyrics for downloaded songs so you can view them without an internet connection
Podcasts
– Automatically generated chapters make it easier to navigate episodes
– Links to mentioned podcasts let you see and follow other podcasts mentioned in the episode you’re listening to directly from the player and transcript
Games
– Filters in the Games library let you find games by category, size, and more
– In-game challenge score banners provide real-time updates when someone new has taken the lead
– Improved support for connected controllers such as Backbone and Razer
This update also includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
– Additional Lock Screen time customization option lets you further adjust its appearance, giving the Liquid Glass material more or less opacity
– Alarms for Reminders help you stay on top of urgent tasks, and provide snooze and Live Activity support if you’re not ready to check the reminder off
– AirDrop codes offer an additional layer of verification when using AirDrop with unknown contacts by providing a code on the receiver’s device that the sender must enter to complete the transfer
– Apple News Section links in the sidebar of the News app offer easy navigation to popular topics like Sports, Politics, Business, and Food
– Multipack accessory pairing in the Home app lets you use the same setup code to easily enroll multiple accessories when sold together
– Flash for alerts in Accessibility Settings offers the additional option to have the device screen flash when you receive a notification
– Tables in Freeform can hold text, images, documents, and drawings, with cells that intelligently resize to fit, bringing structure to the infinite canvas
– Fixes an issue where pre-release albums in the Apple Music library were not immediately playable at their release time
– Fixes an issue where a Privacy and Security setting may incorrectly be marked as managed by an enterprise organization.
watchOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2, macOS Tahoe 26.2
Other Apple software updates arriving today include macOS Tahoe 26.2, watchOS 26.2, and tvOS 26.2.
Here’s what’s new on the Mac:
Edge Light
– Edge Light video effect uses the Mac display to illuminate your face like a virtual ring light when you’re on a video call in low light
– Customizable light width and temperature give you control over how you’re lit
– Mouse awareness ensures that the light recedes when you need to access content underneath
– Option to have the light turn on automatically in low light situations on Mac computers introduced in 2024 and later
Podcasts
– Automatically generated chapters make it easier to navigate more episodes
– Links to mentioned podcasts let you see and follow other podcasts mentioned in the episode you’re listening to directly from the player and transcript
Games
– Filters in the Games library let you find games by category, size, and more
– In-game challenge score banners provide real-time updates when someone new has taken the lead
– Connected controller support
This update also includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
– AirDrop codes offer an additional layer of verification when using AirDrop with unknown contacts by providing a code on the receiver’s device that the sender must enter to complete the transfer
– Apple News Section links in the sidebar of the News app offer easy navigation to popular topics like Sports, Politics, Business, and Food
– Tables in Freeform can hold text, images, documents, and drawings, with cells that intelligently resize to fit, bringing structure to the infinite canvas
– Favorite Songs playlist appears in Top Picks in Apple Music
– Fixes an issue where pre-release albums in the library were not immediately playable at their release time
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: support.apple.com/100100.
To update, go to the Software Update in System Settings.
watchOS 26.2 only features improvements to the Sleep Score feature.
You’ll need an Apple Watch 6 or later, any Apple Watch Ultra, or the second- or third-generation Apple Watch SE to upgrade. The update can be downloaded now through the companion Watch app on your iPhone by heading to General > Software Update in the My Watch portion of the app. You can also go to Settings > General > Software Update on an Apple Watch.
Your watch needs to have more than 50 percent power and connected to a charger. Like most Apple Watch updates, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete, so be patient.
With tvOS 26.2, you can now make profiles with choosing to tie it into a specific Apple account.
An update should automatically be downloaded to an Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K.
If you haven’t already enabled automatic updates, you can download the software by heading to Settings > System > Software Updates > Update Software. Right next to the button to update software is the toggle switch to turn on automatic updates.
