Apple announced iOS 26 at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, but it said at the time it would release the update to the general public this fall. So I looked at past Apple events in September and earlier iOS releases to predict when the company would release iOS 26.

And I was right. Apple announced that iOS 26 will be released as a free update Monday. Apple usually releases updates around 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET), so that means your iPhone can get new features like a Liquid Glass design, call screening and new ringtones in a few hours.

Don't forget, other people will be downloading the update as well, so it might download slowly for you. The company announced the software update's release on Sept. 9, when it showcased the new iPhone

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