Updated to iOS 26? These 10 settings can change how your iPhone works

If you updated to iOS 26 or bought a new iPhone, several useful features stay hidden until you change a few settings. Here’s how to set it up now.

Your iPhone may look the same as before, but with the iOS 26 update, Apple has made a lot of changes that you can't see until you turn them on. Apple has added new controls, visual options, and daily tools that need a few minutes of setup. If you skip this step, you'll miss out on features designed to make daily use easier. Here’s a quick walkthrough to help new and existing iPhone users get started the right way.

These 10 new iOS 26 hidden settings in your iPhone can boost your daily experience. (Reuters)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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Set up the Lock Screen

Press and hold the Lock Screen to edit it. Choose the clock font and colour, enable the Glass effect, and resize the clock by dragging its corner. While selecting a wallpaper, try Spatial Scene to add motion to supported photos. Place widgets where they suit your routine and adjust Control Centre buttons for faster access.

Change the Home Screen look

Press and hold the Home Screen, tap Edit, then select Customise. iOS 26 offers Clear, Tinted, and updated Default icons. Clear icons let the wallpaper show through, while Tinted icons follow a single colour theme. You can also match icons with your device or case colour.

Use Visual Intelligence on screenshots

Take a screenshot and tap Ask, Search, or Highlight to Search. This helps identify objects or get more details using tools like Google Image Search or ChatGPT. The feature works on supported iPhones with Apple Intelligence.

Turn on Call Screening

Open Settings, go to Phone, and enable Call Screening. Unknown callers must state their name and reason before the phone rings. Spam call and voicemail filters are also available here.

Add chat backgrounds in Messages

Open a conversation, tap the contact name, and choose Backgrounds. Pick colours, photos, presets, or create one using Image Playground. You can disable backgrounds in Settings if needed.

Enable Live Translation

In Messages, tap a contact name and switch on Automatically Translate. Messages translate in real time. The feature also works during calls, FaceTime captions, and in-person conversations using supported AirPods.

Create a Genmoji

Open Messages, tap the emoji icon, and select Genmoji. Combine emojis or describe one to create a custom version.

Explore the Games app

The new Games app brings App Store and Apple Arcade titles together and supports challenges and shared scores.

Adjust ringtones and alarm snooze

Find new ringtone options in Settings under Sounds and Haptics. Set alarm snooze times between one and fifteen minutes in the Clock app.

Choose a Safari layout

Safari offers a Compact tab view. Users can switch layouts in Settings for a more comfortable browsing experience.