18 Hidden iOS 26 Features Nobody Told You About - CNET

The holiday season is here. You've finally unboxed that new iPhone or perhaps just made the decision to actually install iOS 26 . Whether you're upgrading from a much older model or simply making the jump from iOS 18, you're entering the world of a new operating system. We're talking a completely new Liquid Glass design , plus a suite of dazzling new Apple Intelligence features . As a tech expert who has been diving deep into the latest OS, I can tell you that the real fun lies in the details -- the quiet game-changers Apple didn't feature on the main stage. Zooey Liao/CNET I've had my hands on iOS 26 for plenty of time now, and trust me, I've discovered the best 18 hidden features you absolutely need to know about. Forget the ones that made major headlines; these are the subtle, smart additions that truly make life with your iPhone better. With just a few quick taps, you can tailor your iPhone experience to perfectly fit your needs. These aren't just minor tweaks; these small, genius updates are what actually make using your phone feel easier, more convenient and, honestly, a lot more enjoyable every single day. Here's how you too can unlock those iOS 26 hidden features. Watch this: iOS 26.1 Update Fixes Alarm, Lets You Change Liquid Glass 06:07 Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source on Chrome. 1. Change the default snooze duration for your alarm If you've ever wondered about the seemingly arbitrary 9-minute snooze option on the iPhone, there's history behind it . It's a relic of analog design, when early mechanical alarm clocks couldn't easily be set to 10-minute intervals, so engineers went with a minute less. Digital clocks don't have this limitation, but the tradition stuck. On iOS 26, you can finally change your snooze length . All you need to do is go to the Clock app, tap on an alarm you have and hit Snooze Duration at the bottom. You can set snooze between 1 and 15 minutes, but the setting only applies to each alarm individually. That means you'll either need to keep reusing the same alarm or adjust the snooze each time you create a new one. You have to change the snooze duration for each alarm you set. Nelson Aguilar/CNET 2. Create a custom ringtone You no longer need GarageBand (or a Mac) to make your own ringtone. In Files, tap an MP3 or M4A that's under 30 seconds, hit the Share button and tap Use as Ringtone . iOS 26 drops it into Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone , where you can set it system-wide or assign it to a contact. The same option shows up for Voice Memos via the share sheet. Note : Apple Music tracks aren't eligible as custom ringtones. Nelson Aguilar/CNET 3. Copy only a selection of a text message Messages now lets you highlight and copy...

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