December will be a month packed with software and service updates for Apple. While no new hardware is expected, numerous features are planned for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Apple Music. This outlook reveals which areas will receive fresh impetus in December and which expectations are best postponed until next year.
Apple is wrapping up an exceptionally successful year and focusing entirely on software in December. The coming weeks will bring new system versions, app enhancements, service improvements, and early hints at what might be coming in early 2026. The focus is clearly on iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and macOS 26.2, along with updates for Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and the annual Apple Music Replay release. This overview shows everything Apple is actually delivering in December and what's not currently on the agenda.
iOS 26.2 brings a long list of new features
iOS 26.2 will be released in December and will expand the iPhone with a wide range of new features. System apps, in particular, will receive significant upgrades.
New features in the system apps
- Offline song lyrics in Apple Music
- New alarms categorized as "Urgent" within the Reminders app
- Three new features in Apple Podcasts including automatically generated podcast chapters
- Updated sleep score in the Health app with an improved rating system
- New design for Apple News with clearer and faster navigation.
- Apple Games receives three improvements
- Freeform now supports tables
Liquid Glass Extensions
Apple continues to expand Liquid Glass and add several features across the entire system.
- The clock on the lock screen can be customized with more or less transparency.
- The spirit level tool in the Measure app now supports Liquid Glass.
- New Liquid Glass animations are available system-wide.
System-wide improvements and CarPlay updates
Several cross-functional iPhone features are also receiving upgrades.
- AirDrop is getting a new sharing method
- Notifications are easier to notice thanks to a brighter screen flash.
- CarPlay offers some users more widgets on the display.
- CarPlay allows you to disable pinned conversations in messages.
- A system-wide link for creating events in the Apple Invitations app
Features specifically for users outside the USA
- AirPods Live Translation launches in the EU
- Users in Japan can replace Siri with another assistant when using the side button.
- EU users will receive limited Wi-Fi sharing between iPhone and Apple Watch.
iPadOS 26.2 brings back drag and drop multitasking
With iPadOS 26, the new windowing system gained many modern features, but simultaneously removed older multitasking options from iPadOS 18. Slide Over has been available again since version 26.1, and drag and drop multitasking is now available in iPadOS 26.2.
Apps can once again be dragged directly from the Dock or Spotlight and dropped onto the screen. Depending on their position, the app will display full screen, split view, or slide over. The app icon changes shape to indicate how the app will be placed in the respective area. The process is similar to last year's functionality but also benefits from the performance of the new windowing system.
macOS Tahoe 26.2 introduces the new Edge Light feature.
macOS 26.2 adopts many of the improvements from iOS and iPadOS, but adds an exclusive feature for video calls.
Edge Light acts as a software-based ring light that better illuminates the face during a call without requiring external hardware. The feature is available on all Macs with Apple Silicon and uses the Neural Engine to detect the face, its size, and position. The image signal processor adjusts the lighting effect to the environment for a natural-looking result.
First hints of iOS 26.3 betas
Apple traditionally releases the betas for x.3 updates in mid-December. This year, the company might decide to postpone the first beta of iOS 26.3 until January. If Apple sticks to its usual pattern, the first betas for iOS 26.3 and the associated system versions will still appear shortly after the public release of iOS 26.2.
Apple TV kicks off December with F1 The Movie
Apple TV kicks off December with one of the biggest premieres of the year. F1 The Movie arrives on December 12 and will be included with an Apple TV subscription. The film was a huge summer blockbuster and can now be conveniently streamed at home.
In addition, new episodes of Pluribus and Down Cemetery Road will be released. A new Christmas special and a documentary series about six rare young animals round out the December program.
Apple Arcade is getting five new games
On December 4th, Apple Arcade will expand its offering with five titles, adding to the over 200 existing games.
- PowerWash Simulator with special bonus packages
- SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit 2 as a platform sequel
- Cult of the Lamb Arcade Edition as an award-winning roguelite
- Subway Surfers Plus as an arcade version of the world's most downloaded mobile game
- Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Plus as a 3D fighting game
Apple Arcade can be booked individually for €6.99 per month and is part of the Apple One bundle.
Apple Music Replay Year in Review is just around the corner
The Apple Music Replay Year in Review was released on December 3rd, 2024, and should therefore be available again in a few days. In iOS 26, Replay is fully integrated into the Apple Music app, without any web interfaces or external pages. In addition to the monthly statistics, the annual summary remains a highlight, which Apple enhances each year with special visuals.
What's not coming: new Apple hardware in December
Apple traditionally releases very little new hardware in December. Despite numerous rumors about AirTag 2, a new Apple TV 4K, and a HomePod mini 2, a release before 2026 is highly unlikely. A surprise remains possible, but a unveiling at the beginning of next year is more realistic.
- New iOS 26.2 feature: Screen flashes for notifications
- Live translation with AirPods: Here's how the feature works
Apple is rolling out important new features in December.
December showcases Apple's software strengths. iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and macOS 26.2 bring back many features, refine existing apps, and expand services like Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Apple Music. While new hardware is still pending, Apple is delivering a wide range of improvements at the end of the year, further strengthening the Apple ecosystem. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Thanon Charoenkitviwat)
- iOS 27: Which features is Apple preparing for 2026?
- AirPods Future: How Big Will Apple's Line-up Be in 2026
- Apple is greatly benefiting from Google's progress with Gemini 3
- iPad mini 8: Apple's new speaker design in detail
- iPhone 2027: What Apple is planning for its 20th anniversary
- iOS 26.2 changes Wi-Fi synchronization in the EU – here's why
- M6 MacBook Pro: Everything about release, price and new features
- Apple will again rely more heavily on titanium for the iPhone in 2026
- AirPods Pro: Apple is already working on the next model
- Apple plans to integrate Gemini into Siri
- iOS 26.2: When the update will be released & which features are coming
- Apple is making progress: Will Siri finally become intelligent in 2026?
- iPad mini with OLED: Everything about price, performance and launch
- Apple in November 2025: All developments at a glance
- Apple launches major smart home offensive with new devices
- Will Apple's first budget MacBook arrive this year?
- Apple TV 4K Update: All rumors about the new model at a glance
- iPhone 18 Pro: First rumors about design and technology
- AirPods Max 2: All the rumors about the design, chip, and market launch
- Apple 2026 in transition: Five innovations will shape the year
- Apple on the verge of change: How the leadership team is changing
- Apple Glasses combine fashion, technology and AI in everyday life
- Apple Vision Air: Why the headset may never be released
- Apple announces new immersive content for Apple Vision Pro
