Together with the iOS 26, Apple also release the latest version of their software platforms namely the iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
According to Apple;
Apple today released exciting new features and capabilities across each of its software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS — and introduced a beautiful new design with Liquid Glass that brings even greater consistency across the Apple ecosystem. New Apple Intelligence features help break down language barriers with Live Translation, extend the capabilities of visual intelligence, and bring personalized, motivational audio insights with Workout Buddy on Apple Watch. Users will also find a range of updates across apps and experiences they use every day, including helpful ways to screen phone calls, customize messages on iPhone, and create delightful spatial scenes that bring photos to life. iPad users will experience an entirely new powerful and intuitive windowing system, and Mac gets the biggest update ever to Spotlight. Apple Watch introduces sleep score to give users a better understanding of sleep quality, plus Apple Vision Pro now features widgets and all-new Personas that are more natural and familiar.
Here’s a short video about Apple Intelligence;
And Liquid Glass;
The upgrade focuses mainly on the new Liquid Glass and Apple Intelligence, which will be integrated across all Apple devices. To upgrade to the latest iPadOS, you can go to your iPad’s SETTINGS > GENERAL > SOFTWARE UPDATE.
For Macs, here’s how you can update to macOS Tahoe 26;
- Use Spotlight in the menu bar to search for “Software Update,” then open it from the search results.
- Or open Software Update from settings: From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings. In the window that opens, click General in the sidebar, then click Software Update on the right. (In earlier versions of macOS, choose Apple menu > System Preferences instead, then click Software Update.)
Keep in mind that the new macOS Tahoe 26 will show if you are using a compatible Mac.
If you want to upgrade your watchOS to watchOS 26, here are things that you can do;
You can wait until Apple Watch notifies you when a new update is available. Tap Update Tonight in the notification, then go to your iPhone to confirm that you want to update overnight. At the end of the day, leave your Apple Watch and iPhone charging overnight so the update can complete.
Or you can update your Apple Watch with your iPhone manually:
- On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, then tap the My Watch tab.
- Tap General > Software Update.
- Download the update. If asked for your iPhone passcode or Apple Watch passcode, enter it.
- Wait for the progress wheel to appear on your Apple Watch. It could take from several minutes to an hour for the update to complete.
Leave your Apple Watch on its charger while the update completes. Don’t restart your iPhone or Apple Watch, and don’t quit the Apple Watch app. When the update completes, your Apple Watch restarts on its own.
Update directly on your Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch has watchOS 6 or later, you can install updates without your iPhone:
- Make sure that your watch is connected to Wi-Fi.
- On your watch, open the Settings app.
- Tap General > Software Update.
- Tap Install if a software update is available, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Keep in mind that watchOS 26 is compatible with these Apple Watch models:
- Apple Watch SE 2 and later
- Apple Watch Series 6 and later
- Apple Watch Ultra and later
To update your Apple TV, you can do it automatically or manually;
Update your Apple TV automatically
You can set your Apple TV to automatically install new updates when they’re available. Go to Settings > System > Software Updates and turn on Automatically Update.Update your Apple TV manually
- Go to Settings > System > Software Updates and select Update Software.
- If there’s an update, select Download and Install.
- Wait for your Apple TV to download the update. Keep your Apple TV connected and plugged in to power until the update is complete.
After the update downloads, your Apple TV will restart, prepare the update, then install it. When the update is complete, your Apple TV will automatically restart again.
And last but not the least, this is how you can update your visionOS to visionOS 26.
How to update visionOS automatically
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
- Turn on visionOS Updates.
- Turn on Security Responses & System Files to automatically install security updates that might be available between complete visionOS updates. You can turn this option on in addition to visionOS Updates, or turn it on by itself.
- If you’d like for visionOS updates to download automatically but install only when you choose, turn on visionOS Updates under Automatically Download. Then turn off visionOS Updates under Automatically Install.
Automatic visionOS software updates are downloaded and installed when your Apple Vision Pro is connected to Wi-Fi, charging, and locked.
How to check for visionOS updates manually
- Back up your Apple Vision Pro.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update. The screen shows the currently installed version of visionOS and whether an update is available.
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install or Install Now. You might need to enter your Apple Vision Pro passcode.
- When the update is ready to install, an alert asks you to take off your Apple Vision Pro. You can see the progress of the update on the front of your device with EyeSight.
Your Apple Vision Pro battery needs to have sufficient charge, or be connected to power, before your device can update. An alert will let you know if you need to charge your battery first.
Source: Apple Support
