iOS 26 is finally here, and if you notice the jump in numbers, that’s because Apple is finally tying updates to years. This year-based naming convention will help users more easily tell how current their update is, which is actually pretty helpful. Also, for the first time in a while, Apple has made significant improvements to its Family Center suite of parental controls, which is good news for iOS families.
We’ll dive into these new features, along with the updates to design, call screening, and more. You can check out the exhaustive list of everything here — this list will focus on the highlights that busy families need to know about the most. Let’s dive in!
Updates that Parents Need to Know About
Communication limits
With iOS 26, child accounts will now require permission from guardians to text or call new contacts. When your child wants to text a new friend from school, for example, you’ll get a message allowing you to deny or approve it. This is a great way to help keep your child safe from strangers.
Automatic content filtering and nudity blocking
If your child gets sent a message or is FaceTiming and inappropriate content appears, Apple will automatically blur it out. Unfortunately, they’ll be able to view it if they choose to, which sort of defeats the purpose of this feature.
More granular age-based settings
By the end of the year, Apple will have in place five different categories of age ratings for app store download guidance. These will be: 4+, 9+, 13+, 16+, and 18+. This will help families choose content that is more appropriate for their kids, as even though a few years doesn’t sound like a huge difference, for children it can be an enormous jump.
Phone app available for iPads and laptops
This new feature will allow iPads and MacBooks to make Wi-Fi calls as long as there’s a cellular-enabled iPhone nearby and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Parents should keep this in mind, as kids could use this new feature to make calls if they connect their iPad to a parent’s phone.
iOS 26: The Fun Stuff
Liquid Glass
This is Apple’s new design refresh that gives iOS a smoother, more polished feel. Think of it like a visual upgrade for your device: Menus, animations, and transitions now look cleaner and feel more intuitive. It’s a subtle change, but it definitely stands out as a classic Apple design trick.
Live translation in Messages
If your family speaks more than one language — or you have friends and relatives abroad — this one’s a game-changer. Live translation lets you translate messages instantly, right inside the Messages app. No more switching between apps or copying text into translators.
Call screening
Call screening is a handy new feature that gives you more control over who gets through to your phone. When someone calls you — especially if it’s an unknown number — iOS 26 can automatically ask the caller to state their name and purpose before you decide whether to pick up. You’ll get a transcript of their response so you can decide if the call is worth answering.
Final Thoughts for Parents
iOS 26 brings some thoughtful improvements that parents will appreciate, especially the expanded Family Center tools and the new communication limits. Apple is clearly stepping up when it comes to helping families manage screen time, content, and safety. These changes make it easier for parents to guide their kids in a digital world.
That said, Bark still offers a deeper layer of protection, giving parents comprehensive insight and customizable tools that go beyond what iOS provides. Bark monitors texts, emails, apps, and more, so parents can feel confident they’re not just managing screen time, but truly keeping kids safer online. Check out our entire suite of family-friendly tech devices to learn more about our advanced safety tools, thoughtful parental controls, and peace‑of‑mind features designed for today’s families.
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Bark helps families manage and protect their children’s digital lives.
