Apple’s iOS 26 Update Brings Android-Style Customization and Smarter AI to iPhone

Apple announced iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 last night, and one thing that was hard to miss was the customization features the tech giant rolled out, featuring customization features inspired by Android.

iOS 26(Apple moved from sequential naming to calendar-based naming) will let users change icons, lock individual apps with Face ID, and place apps anywhere on the screen, meaning that Apple has finally loosened its grip on iOS customization, breaking away from its rigid grid that has defined iOS since 2007.  These are staples in Android’s playbook, and now Cupertino is embracing them.

Besides customization, Apple also pushed into AI territory by launching new intelligent features that feel similar to what Android users have, but refined in Apple’s signature way.

What’s New in iOS 26?

At the heart of iOS 26 is a push toward user-level personalization and intelligent assistance. Apple is finally giving users more control over how their devices look, behave, and respond—something Android has long championed.

• Custom App Icons: Replace default app icons directly—no more Shortcuts workarounds.
• App Locking with Face ID: Secure any app individually with Face ID, perfect for shared devices or added privacy.
• Free App Placement: Arrange apps anywhere on the screen. The classic iOS grid? Now optional.
• Control Center Redesign: Fully customizable widgets and layouts, similar to Android’s Quick Settings.

Apple iOS 26 AI Features: Inspired by Android, Refined by Apple

Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote made it clear: the iPhone is getting smarter. And while some of these AI tools echo what Android has offered for years, Apple is putting its own polished stamp on them.

• Hold Assist: Like Google’s “Hold for Me,” this feature lets your iPhone stay on hold and alerts you when a human picks up. Apple’s version uses the Dynamic Island to show status updates and integrates seamlessly via the call menu.
• Live Translation: Apple’s answer to Samsung and Google’s real-time translation tools. Now available in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages, it translates conversations live, on-device, and privately.
• Call Screening: Siri screens incoming calls by asking for the caller’s name and purpose, similar to Google Pixel’s approach. It adds a privacy-focused layer of protection against spam and unwanted calls.
• Apple Intelligence Framework: All these features are powered by Apple Intelligence, the system-wide AI engine enhancing everything from Siri’s conversational ability to smart Mail replies and photo edits. It blends on-device and server-side AI for a private yet powerful experience.

Why Apple Is Opening Up Now

Apple’s dual focus on personalization and intelligence reflects broader pressure from regulators and rising expectations among global users.

And when it comes to AI, Apple is acknowledging Android’s lead, without saying it out loud using this strategy: wait, polish, and deliver tools that feel native even if they weren’t first.

A New Era for iOS

With iOS 26, Apple isn’t just tweaking the interface—it’s rethinking the user experience. The combination of Android-style customization and AI-powered features signals a major evolution for the iPhone.

If you’ve ever wanted your iPhone to feel smarter, more personal, and less restricted, iOS 26 Android-inspired features and Apple Intelligence tools may be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to editorial@techtrendsmedia.co.ke