Apple is soon releasing iOS 26.2, its last major update of the year for iPhone users. Following four betas, this update, which will be rolled out to all users through the RC version and beyond, introduces several new features, focusing primarily on built-in apps and the user experience. Apple will release the fourth and likely final beta of iOS 26.2 this week.
iOS 26.2 is coming soon
Among the key improvements introduced in iOS 26.2 is the ability to set alarms for Reminders. After extensive development, the Reminders app has evolved into a full-featured task manager, now allowing you to mark a reminder as “Urgent” when it’s due.
This means that, just like your morning wake-up alarm, your iPhone will sound an alarm when the reminder is due, and this alarm can be snooze for 9 minutes. The new alarm feature also uses Live Events as a visual reminder to help you remember a task.
There are also improvements to the lock screen customizations. A new slider called the “Liquid Glass” setting allows you to customize the appearance of the clock. Users can make the watch almost completely transparent or give it a more matte finish by selecting the “Glass” option. For those who prefer a more opaque design, a separate button is available to completely turn off the watch’s Liquid Glass appearance.
The update also offers a one-time AirDrop code option. This code can be generated to share with someone not in your contact list and grants AirDrop access for 30 days.
Once the code is generated, the person you want to use AirDrop with simply enters it, allowing your devices to communicate with each other. This feature allows you to quickly connect with someone you don’t want to create a contact card for, without having to enable AirDrop for everyone nearby.
Sleep Score ranges are also changing with iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2. Apple has replaced the previous highest rating, “Excellent,” with the more objective “Very High.” The rating system has been updated to make it more difficult to achieve a higher rating overall.
The Sleep Score is still based on the same three metrics: Duration (50 points), Bedtime (30 points), and Interruptions (20 points); however, the wording used for each score has been revised. For example, a score of 96-100 is now “Very High.”
Another significant change coming with iOS 26.2 is the availability of AirPods Live Translation to users in European Union countries. Live Translation allows you to understand someone speaking a different language than you.
Siri translates what the other person says through your AirPods in a language you understand. This feature is available specifically for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4 models with Active Noise Cancellation.
Because Apple typically releases four betas before the RC version, the fourth beta of iOS 26.2 is expected to be released between December 2-4, and the RC version between December 8-11. The iOS 26.2 update is expected to arrive on all iPhones around December 15-16. If Apple pushes the RC version, which is the same as the final version, a slightly earlier release date could be December 11.
