21 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2
Apple’s latest update is packed with handy features, better customisation, and critical security fixes. Here’s everything you need to know.
With over 1.46 billion active iPhone users worldwide and iOS holding a 55% market share in Australia, Apple’s software updates affect a massive number of people. The good news? iPhone users adopt new versions remarkably quickly — iOS updates typically reach over 80% adoption within months of release, far outpacing Android’s update rates.
iOS 26.2 patches over 20 security vulnerabilities (including two that were actively exploited), introduces 21 new features, and continues refining Apple’s controversial Liquid Glass design. Whether you’re one of the estimated 150 million iPhone users in the US or among the millions across Australia, this update is worth installing today.
Apple has just released iOS 26.2, the second major update since iOS 26 launched in September. While it might not be a headline-grabbing overhaul, this update is packed with genuinely useful features that’ll change how you use your iPhone every day.
From turning your reminders into proper alarms to sharing files with strangers safely, there’s plenty here worth knowing about. We’ve rounded up all 21 new features and changes so you can get the most out of your device.
To update, head to Settings > General > Software Update on any iPhone 11 or newer.
1. Turn Reminders Into Alarms
This one’s a game-changer for anyone who ignores notification badges (we see you).
When you create a reminder in the Reminders app, you can now toggle on an “Urgent” option. Instead of a quiet notification you’ll swipe away, your iPhone will sound an actual alarm at the due time. It even works when Focus modes are on.
No more forgetting to pick up the kids or missing that important deadline.
2. Adjust Your Lock Screen Clock Transparency
Apple’s new Liquid Glass design has been… divisive. Some love it, some hate it.
iOS 26.2 gives you more control with a new slider in Lock Screen settings. You can make the clock nearly fully transparent or more frosted and solid. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference if the default look wasn’t working for you.
3. AirDrop to People Not in Your Contacts
Ever tried to AirDrop a file to someone at a meeting or event, only to realise they’re not in your contacts?
iOS 26.2 introduces one-time AirDrop codes. You generate a code, share it with the other person, and you can find each other for the next 30 days. There’s also a new “Manage Known AirDrop Contacts” section so you can see and remove people later.
No more awkwardly adding strangers to your contacts just to share a photo.
4. View Song Lyrics Offline
Apple Music users, this one’s for you.
You can now view lyrics even when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. Perfect for flights, road trips through dead zones, or just saving your data allowance.
5. Better Sleep Scores That Actually Make Sense
If you wear your Apple Watch to bed, you’ve probably noticed the Sleep Score feature. The problem? The old scoring felt off. You’d sleep terribly and still get graded 85.
Apple has completely reworked the tiers:
- Very Low: 0–40 (was 0–29)
- Low: 41–60
- OK: 61–80
- High: 81–95
- Very High: 96–100 (was called “Excellent”)
Your scores will now better match how you actually feel in the morning.
6. Auto-Generated Podcast Chapters
Not all podcasts have chapters, and long episodes can be a pain to navigate.
iOS 26.2 uses AI to automatically generate chapters for any podcast episode. In testing, they’re surprisingly accurate — it’s hard to tell the difference between creator-made chapters and Apple’s auto-generated ones.
Now you can skip straight to the topics you actually care about.
7. Tap on Podcasts Mentioned in Episodes
When a podcast mentions another show, you’ll now see a pop-up right on the Now Playing screen.
Tap it to view details about the mentioned podcast without leaving what you’re listening to. The episode description also shows a full list of all podcasts referenced.
8. Timed Links in Podcast Episodes
Similarly, when a podcast mentions a website or link, it now appears on screen at the exact moment it’s mentioned.
No more frantically pausing and rewinding to catch a URL.
9. Manage Websites Where You Don’t Save Passwords
We’ve all clicked “Never for This Website” on a password prompt and then regretted it later.
In the Passwords app, there’s now a new section that shows all the websites you’ve excluded from password saving. You can review them and remove any you’ve changed your mind about.
10. AirPods Live Translation Comes to Europe
Apple’s real-time translation feature for AirPods Pro was previously blocked in the EU due to regulatory compliance.
That’s now sorted. If you’re in Europe with AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, or AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, you can now use Live Translation. You’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer with Apple Intelligence enabled.
11. Flash Your Screen for Notifications
In Accessibility settings, there’s an upgraded “Flash for Alerts” option.
Previously, you could only flash the rear LED when notifications arrived. Now you can choose to flash the screen instead — or both at the same time. Handy if your phone is face-up on a desk.
12. Quicker Access to Apple News Sections
The Apple News app has been reorganised.
At the top of your feed, you’ll now see quick-access buttons for categories like Sports, Business, Food, Politics, and Puzzles. No more digging through menus to find your daily crossword.
There’s also a dedicated “Following” tab for the topics and publications you subscribe to.
13. Better Emergency Safety Alerts
iOS 26.2 adds an “Enhanced Safety Alerts” section in Notification settings.
It centralises earthquake alerts, imminent-threat warnings, and adds a new location-based “improved alert delivery” option. This should help ensure critical alerts actually reach you when they matter most.
14. Sort Games by Size in the Game Centre
The Games app now lets you sort your library by file size, not just name or recent activity.
This is genuinely useful when you’re running low on storage and need to identify which games are hogging space. The update also adds controller-based navigation and real-time challenge score updates.
15. Disable Pinned Messages in CarPlay
CarPlay’s new pinned messages view in iOS 26 wasn’t for everyone.
If you prefer the classic, simpler Messages interface while driving, you can now turn off pinned messages entirely.
16. Replace Siri With Another Voice Assistant (Japan Only)
For iPhone users in Japan, iOS 26.2 lets you replace Siri as the default voice assistant triggered by the Side button.
You can now set Gemini, Alexa, or another assistant as your system default. This is a regulatory requirement under Japan’s Mobile Software Competition Act — and it’s likely coming to Europe eventually too.
17. Third-Party App Stores in Japan
Also exclusive to Japan (for now): you can now install alternative app marketplaces like AltStore PAL and the Epic Games Store.
European users have had this since iOS 17.4. Japan is catching up due to similar regulatory requirements.
18. Liquid Glass in the Measure App
Apple’s Liquid Glass design language continues to spread.
The Level tool in the Measure app now features the same translucent effect. It’s a minor visual consistency update, but it shows Apple is committed to rolling out this design across the entire system.
19. Tables in the Freeform App
The Freeform whiteboard app now supports proper tables.
If you use Freeform for planning, brainstorming, or project management, this is a welcome addition for organising information in grids.
20. Smoother Menu Animations
Apple has refined the animations throughout iOS 26.2.
Menus, widgets, and transitions now feel more fluid and polished. The widget editing animation, in particular, now better matches what Apple showed at WWDC. It’s one of those things you’ll notice without quite being able to pinpoint why everything feels better.
21. Critical Security Fixes (Update Now)
This is the big one.
iOS 26.2 patches over 20 security vulnerabilities, including two that Apple says were actively exploited in sophisticated attacks. Both involve WebKit (the engine behind Safari) and could allow malicious websites to run code on your device.
Apple recommends everyone update immediately.
How to Update to iOS 26.2
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Software Update
- Download and install iOS 26.2
Make sure your iPhone is charged (or plugged in) and connected to Wi-Fi before updating.
The Bottom Line
iOS 26.2 isn’t a flashy update, but it’s a solid one. The Reminder alarms alone will save countless forgotten tasks. The security fixes make it essential. And the continued refinements to Liquid Glass show Apple is listening to feedback.
If you’ve been holding off on iOS 26 because of early bugs, this update should give you confidence to make the jump. It’s noticeably more stable and polished than the initial release.
Need Help With Your iPhone?
Whether you’re struggling to update, running out of storage, or just want someone to set things up properly — we can help.
Written by The Original PC Doctor on 17/12/2025
