iOS 26.2 launches with Apple Music upgrades, Liquid Glass customization, AirDrop security, Emergency Alert enhancements

Apple has rolled out iOS 26.2, the second major update to the iOS 26 operating system that launched in September. The new version, released on December 12, arrives just over a month after iOS 26.1 and is available for all iPhones released from 2019 onward, including the iPhone 11 series, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd gen), and the iPhone 17 lineup.

Users can download the update by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update, then tapping Download and Install. Apple notes that this is a large update with multiple feature enhancements and critical bug fixes.

A new Favorite Songs playlist now appears in Top Picks on the Home tab.

Offline lyrics are now available for downloaded songs, allowing users to view lyrics without internet access.

Auto-generated chapters make it easier to browse long episodes.

Links to mentioned podcasts appear directly in the player and transcript, helping users discover related shows.

New filters in the Games Library let users sort by size, category, and more.

Challenge score banners now provide real-time updates when rankings change.

Improved compatibility for third-party controllers, including Backbone and Razer.

Additional enhancements and system updates

Customization & accessibility

More Lock Screen time customization options, allowing users to adjust the opacity of the Liquid Glass material.

A new Flash for alerts option lets the device screen flash when notifications arrive.

Safety and emergency features (US only)

Enhanced Safety Alerts now deliver richer information about natural disasters, floods, and emergencies, including maps and links to official guidance.

Productivity & Home features

Alarms for Reminders introduce snooze options and Live Activity support.

AirDrop codes add a verification step for transfers with unknown contacts.

Multipack accessory pairing in the Home app streamlines setup for devices sold together.

Tables can now hold images, text, documents, and drawings, with cells that automatically resize for cleaner layouts.

Resolved an issue where pre-release albums in Apple Music were not playable immediately at release time.

Fixed a bug that caused a Privacy & Security setting to appear incorrectly as managed by an enterprise organization.