iOS 26 introduces a brand new Liquid Glass design, however the replace additionally contains another new options that haven’t acquired as a lot consideration.
Beneath, we recap three smaller iOS 26 options that you just might need missed.
iOS 26 must be launched in September, however anybody can signal as much as check the general public beta without spending a dime. Be sure to again up your iPhone first.
Adaptive Energy Mode
iOS 26 introduces an Adaptive Energy Mode on the iPhone, alongside the prevailing Low Energy Mode.
Apple says that Adaptive Energy Mode could make “small efficiency changes” when mandatory to increase an iPhone’s battery life, together with barely reducing the show brightness or permitting some actions to “take a little bit longer.”
The complete description of Adaptive Energy Mode, from the iOS 26 beta:
When your battery utilization is greater than ordinary, iPhone could make small efficiency changes to increase your battery life, together with barely reducing the show brightness or permitting some actions to take a little bit longer. Low Energy Mode could activate at 20%.
Adaptive Energy Mode is simply out there on the iPhone 15 Professional fashions and newer.
Adaptive Energy Mode is turned off by default. The choice may be turned on constantly within the Settings app below Battery → Energy Mode.
Digital Passport
iOS 26 enables you to create a digital model of your U.S. passport in your iPhone.
After making a Digital ID within the Apple Pockets app, based mostly in your U.S. passport, you possibly can current it in particular person at choose TSA checkpoints for id verification functions throughout home journey. Nevertheless, Apple says it isn’t a substitute for a bodily passport, and it can’t be used for worldwide journey and border crossing functions.
Apple says the Digital ID function is safe, non-public, and compliant with REAL ID.
The passport-based Digital ID can be used for age and id verification in apps, on-line, and in shops, in response to Apple.
AirPlay for CarPlay
iOS 26 will let iPhone customers wirelessly stream movies to the CarPlay display screen utilizing AirPlay, in response to Apple. For security causes, video playback will solely be out there when the automobile is parked, to forestall distracted driving. The linked iPhone will be capable of detect when the automobile is in movement and finish playback.
Apple says that automakers want so as to add help for CarPlay with AirPlay video, so it’ll possible take a while to roll out. It’s unclear if a brand new automobile is required.
From the CarPlay web page on Apple’s developer web site:
Video within the automotive
AirPlay video within the automotive allows individuals to look at their favourite movies from iPhone proper on their CarPlay show once they aren’t driving. Combine help for CarPlay with AirPlay video to allow this function in your automotive.
There have been already some unapproved methods to look at movies by means of CarPlay, with varied jailbreak tweaks and TestFlight beta apps promising to unlock such performance. Now, it’s one thing that Apple will formally enable.