iOS 19: What to Expect from Apple's Upcoming Update

We might not see iOS 19 until the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, but the buzz is already building. As Apple ramps up work on its latest operating system in Cupertino, rumors are surfacing about what could be the biggest iOS update in years. Let’s dive into what we know so far.

Overhauled Design

Apple is reportedly planning a massive redesign for all its operating systems this year, including iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16. The goal? A more unified design language that seamlessly connects the iPhone and Mac experience. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this redesign will be the most significant visual update to the iPhone since iOS 7 in 2013.

This isn’t just a cosmetic refresh. Apple is reworking icons, menus, apps, system buttons, and other visual elements, while also improving navigation and controls. The new look will take inspiration from the Apple Vision Pro interface, featuring a lot of translucency and a design that puts your content front and center.

For example, the Camera app is rumored to have a sleek new design, offering more screen space for photo previews with translucent pop-out menus for switching camera modes.

Apple Intelligence Gets Smarter

Apple is expanding its Apple Intelligence features across more built-in apps, though specifics are still under wraps. Previously, there were suggestions that Apple Intelligence could be used for tasks like generating custom Apple Music playlists, so we may see similar enhancements in iOS 19.

Siri Updates

One area where we do have details is Siri. Some Apple Intelligence updates planned for iOS 18 were delayed and are now expected to arrive with iOS 19 (or an update). These updates include personal context, onscreen awareness, and deeper app integration:

Personal Context: Siri will be able to track your emails, files, photos, and messages to help you complete tasks and quickly find what you need. For instance, Siri could locate a specific photo someone sent you or find information like your passport number saved in Notes.
Onscreen Awareness: Siri will analyze what’s on your screen to perform relevant actions, like adding a shared address to a contact card.
Deeper App Integration: Siri will gain the ability to perform multi-step tasks across apps, such as moving files, editing photos, and sending them to contacts.

Apple is also working on a large language model (LLM) version of Siri, similar to ChatGPT or Google Gemini. However, with the delays in Siri features from iOS 18, this advanced version likely won’t debut until iOS 20.

A Staggered Rollout

With iOS 18, not all features were available at launch in September—some key Apple Intelligence updates arrived with iOS 18.1 and 18.2. It’s likely Apple will take a similar approach with iOS 19, holding back some features until later updates, potentially into spring 2026.

Compatibility

The good news: iOS 19 is expected to support all devices that can currently run iOS 18. However, as always, some features may be exclusive to the latest iPhone models, such as the upcoming iPhone 17, due to hardware limitations.

Release Date

Apple will preview iOS 19 at WWDC in June, followed by several months of beta testing. The full release is expected in September, alongside the launch of new iPhone models. Stay tuned as more details emerge about this major update!