Phone and Tablet Tips
Brilliant things to do on your device
iOS
Try the new features in iOS 26
Apple has released the annual new versions of its operating systems for iPhones and iPads – iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. These mark a change in its naming strategy to include the year rather than the version number – the software will last users throughout most of 2026.
The update brings lots of new features to Apple’s built-in apps on your device. These include a Visited Places option in Apple Maps, which remembers your favourite locations for future reference. You’ll be prompted to opt in to Visited Places when you launch Maps for the first time in iOS 26 by tapping Allow (see screenshot below left).
The Phone app on iPhones has been redesigned to combine your recent and missed calls on a single screen, and has two handy new options. Call Screening fields incoming calls from unknown numbers, asking callers to identify themselves and explain why they’re calling. Hold Assist monitors calls when you’re put on hold and notifies you when someone finally answers, so you can get on with other things while you’re placed in a queue.