5 features that are still missing from iOS 26 and it's not just the Siri update

Date:
Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Description:
We probably won't get iOS 27 until late 2026, but there's lots still to come in iOS 26 before that.

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iOS 26 landed back in September, and since then weve had iOS 26.1 , which added more features to the operating system. But even now theres still more
to come from iOS 26, with iOS 26.2 landing soon, and further updates expected before the move to iOS 27, which will likely happen next September.

And while we probably dont know about everything thats yet to arrive in an
iOS 26.x update, between iOS 26.2 betas, leaks, and claims made by Apple, we have a good idea of much of whats on the way.

So below, youll find the five biggest features that are still missing from
iOS 26, including a major upgrade to Siri. 1. Siris AI overhaul Siri on an iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Sure, we said the upcoming iOS 26 features arent limited to Siris AI
overhaul, but that remains probably the biggest feature that were yet to see, so its a good one to start with.

Apple has long promised an AI overhaul for Siri, with this feature first talked about back in June of 2024, when Apple Intelligence was shown off for the first time. But this upgrade is still yet to appear.

However, the wait might almost be over, because according to reputable Apple watcher Mark Gurman, this update is planned for around March or April of 2026 . That would almost certainly mean it lands as part of an iOS 26 update likely iOS 26.4 if that timing is correct.

Gurman added that this update will apparently be powered by a custom version of Google Gemini, rather than Apples in-house AI, which might be for the
best, because right now Apples AI capabilities feel a long way behind rivals. 2. Liquid Glass tweaks Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 2 The Measure app in an iOS 26.2 beta (Image credit: Apple / 9to5Mac)

Much like blue cheese or Marmite, iOSs new Liquid Glass interface is
something you probably either love or hate. But for those who hate it there will soon be new tools to tone it down.

You see, with iOS 26.2, Apple is adding a slider that lets you adjust the transparency of the clock on the lock screen, so you can tweak at least this element of Liquid Glass to your liking.

Plus, the Liquid Glass look will also soon be more consistently applied
across the interface, with the Level tool in the Measure app also set to gain a Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26.2. 3. Easier AirDrop sharing (Image credit: Apple / MacRumors)

AirDrop is also getting an upgrade with iOS 26.2, as spotted by MacRumors in a beta, so that youll more easily be able to use it with people who arent in your contacts.

Specifically, youll be able to generate a code which you can share with someone to allow AirDrop exchanges between you for 30 days.

This will work even if you have your AirDrop set to Contacts Only, so you
wont have to switch it to Everyone for 10 Minutes. 4. Podcast improvements (Image credit: Apple / MacRumors)

As spotted by MacRumors , iOS 26.2 is also bringing multiple improvements to Apples Podcasts app , including automatically generated episode chapters.
With these, podcast episodes can have chapters without the creator needing to do anything.

Also as part of this update, if another podcast is referenced in an episode, listeners will be able to see and follow these podcasts directly from the player and transcript, making it easier to learn about new podcasts.

And finally, youll be able to quickly access the links shared in a podcast on the episode page. 5. Alarms for reminders (Image credit: Apple / MacRumors)

One final significant iOS 26 feature thats still to come is alarms for reminders. With this, youll be able to set an alarm to accompany a reminder which is something you might want to do if the reminder is urgent, or you
just really dont want to risk forgetting it.

Youll be able to do this by marking the reminder as urgent when setting it, and then when the reminder triggers, it will be accompanied by an alarm, with options to snooze it or stop it.

This, like so many of the remaining iOS 26 features, is expected to land with iOS 26.2.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/5-features-that-are-still-missing-from -ios-26-and-its-not-just-the-siri-update


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