26
What's New
iOS 26 introduces Foundation Models framework for on-device LLM access with guided generation and tool calling, alongside Apple Intelligence features for image generation and writing assistance. Major updates include Health app medication tracking APIs, Metal 4 graphics support, and iCloud syncing for Journaling Suggestions. Developers must address breaking changes including removed NSPersistentStore options, legacy Push to Talk entitlement removal, and TLS 1.2 minimum requirement for network connections.
Highlights
- Foundation Models framework provides on-device LLM access with guided generation and tool calling support
- Apple Intelligence features including Image Playground, Genmoji, and Writing Tools now available
- Ad attribution enhancements: attribution windows by ad network type and cooldown period configuration
- Health app medication tracking API and workout session APIs now available on iOS and iPadOS
- Metal 4 support with improved temporal upscaling and denoising for graphics rendering
- Journaling Suggestions now sync over iCloud from iPhone to iPad with smart notifications
- App Store Accessibility Nutrition Labels help users discover accessibility features before download
Breaking Changes
- Deprecated NSPersistentStore option keys removed after decade-long deprecation period; apps rebuilt with iOS 26 SDK will error
- Legacy Push to Talk Entitlement com.apple.developer.pushkit.unrestricted-voip.ptt no longer supported; migrate to Push to Talk framework from iOS 16
- Default minimum TLS version for URLSession and Network frameworks changed from 1.0 to 1.2 for apps linked on iOS 26 or later
- Named semaphores now scoped to single development team; sem_open and sem_unlink no longer observe semaphores from different Team IDs
Deprecations
- Interpolating non-localized types into LocalizedStringResource now displays deprecation warning; wrap unlocalized values in String(describing:)
- NSPersistentStore cloud sync APIs deprecated in favor of NSPersistentCloudKitContainer (iOS 13) and SwiftData (iOS 17)