iOS 26 is easily the most significant visual overhaul we’ve seen on the iPhone in years. We got the new Liquid Glass UI, better Files systems, and a complete Camera app change. All the things that Apple showed off and highlighted. However, after using iOS 26 and iOS 26.1 for a few months, it seemed like Apple decided not to inform us about some of the best functional features, such as default audio input, camera enhancements, and even an update to the Alarm, which had remained unchanged for 20 years. So here are the best hidden iOS 26 features that Apple didn’t tell us about.
If you want to see a hands-on look at all these features in real time, be sure to watch our video below!
1. Partial text selection in iMessage
This is one of those features that should have been around since the beginning. If you wanted to select a portion of text in an iMessage, it was impossible. You had to copy the entire message, put it in your text field or in the notes app, then select the portion you actually wanted to copy. Thankfully, iOS 26 fixes this.
Long-press a message
tap Select
Highlight the text you want
Cut, copy and paste to your heart’s delight
2. Live translation in iMessage
We have had the ability to translate messages for a few years now. But now Live translation can do it in real time and adapt on its own if you receive a message in one of the supported languages (English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese). In that case, you will be prompted to start live translating. It does require you to download the language, but once it’s downloaded, you will see a small notification at the bottom of the message thread indicating that it’s translating into a specific language. Then, in the message, if you type in your native language, you will see the native and translated versions show up in real-time. It really breaks the language barrier and I love it.
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