November 29, 2025 — As the holiday season kicks in, Apple is lining up a busy December focused on software, services and streaming rather than shiny new hardware. iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 are all due next month, alongside a big Apple Arcade drop on December 4, the Brad Pitt-led F1 The Movie streaming debut on December 12, and the annual Apple Music Replay recap. [1]
Here’s a closer look at what’s actually coming in December 2025 — and what Apple fans shouldn’t expect this year.
iOS 26.2 release date: when is the next iPhone update coming?
Apple has already confirmed that iOS 26.2 will ship to all users in December 2025, continuing its pattern of major “.2” iOS releases landing just before the holidays. [2]
Most watchers currently expect the rollout in early–to–mid December, roughly between December 9 and 16, based on Apple’s recent beta cadence and past release timing for similar mid‑cycle updates. Apple hasn’t announced a specific day yet, but the update is already in multiple beta versions, so the public build is close. [3]
iOS 26.2: the biggest new features coming to your iPhone
iOS 26.2 is shaping up to be one of the most feature‑packed point releases in years, with upgrades touching media apps, system utilities, accessibility and the car. [4]
Smarter media apps: Music, Podcasts, News & Games
Key changes highlighted across Apple’s own betas and third‑party hands‑ons include: [5]
- Apple Music offline lyrics
Real‑time, scrolling lyrics can now be cached for offline use, so you can follow along even when you’re away from a data connection. - Apple Podcasts with Apple Intelligence features
iOS 26.2 adds automatic episode chapters, smarter “From This Episode” summaries, and quick links to topics mentioned in the show, making long podcasts much easier to skim and revisit. - Apple Games quality‑of‑life updates
The Apple Games hub, introduced with iOS 26, gains new library filters, real‑time challenge updates and broader Bluetooth gamepad support to make gaming on iPhone feel more console‑like. - Apple News redesign
A refreshed interface reorganises the app’s navigation, separating “Following” into its own tab and improving search with shortcuts and smarter suggestions, making it easier to find the outlets and topics you care about. - Reminders “Urgent” alarms
Tasks can be marked as Urgent, with stronger alerts, time‑based alarms and Live Activity integration on the Lock Screen so you’re less likely to miss critical to‑dos. - Freeform tables
Apple’s whiteboard app finally supports tables, making it more useful for light project planning, roadmaps and meeting notes. - Refined Health Sleep Score
The Health app’s Sleep section is getting a tweaked scoring model to better represent sleep quality and consistency.
Liquid Glass and lock‑screen tweaks
Apple is also tuning its bold new Liquid Glass design language and the lock screen: [6]
- A new slider lets you adjust the transparency of the lock‑screen clock, making it easier to match busy wallpapers.
- Liquid Glass settings more clearly explain how colourful icon styles interact with accessibility options like Increase Contrast and Reduce Transparency.
These changes aim to make iOS 26’s dramatic visual refresh easier to customise and more accessible.
AirDrop, CarPlay and notifications get smarter
iOS 26.2 also tackles everyday usability: [7]
- New AirDrop sharing method
Apple is adding another way to trigger AirDrop, making it simpler to share with people nearby without hunting through menus. - CarPlay upgrades
- More widgets and information panels can be shown at once, making better use of wide in‑dash screens. [8]
- Drivers gain the option to turn off pinned conversations in Messages on CarPlay, decluttering the interface.
- Brighter notification flash
A stronger screen flash option for alerts helps users who rely on visual notifications. - System‑wide shortcut for Invites
A new universal shortcut lets you quickly create events in Apple’s Invites app from anywhere in the system.
Regional changes: translation and assistants
Apple is also rolling out region‑specific tweaks: [9]
- AirPods Live Translation in the EU – live audio translation through AirPods expands in European markets.
- Alternative assistant support in Japan – users in Japan will be able to assign a different voice assistant to the iPhone’s side button, in place of Siri.
- EU‑specific Wi‑Fi sharing limits – in response to local rules, Apple is restricting certain Wi‑Fi sharing features between iPhone and Apple Watch in the European Union.
iPadOS 26.2: multitasking finally feels familiar again
If you’ve missed the old iPad multitasking model, December is good news.
When Apple launched iPadOS 26 in September with its new windowing system, long‑time users complained that classic tools like drag‑and‑drop multitasking had been stripped back. [10]
- Slide Over returned in iPadOS 26.1.
- With iPadOS 26.2, Apple is restoring drag‑and‑drop support for managing Split View and Slide Over, much closer to how things worked in iPadOS 18. [11]
You’ll again be able to drag apps from the Dock or Spotlight and drop them into full‑screen, Split View, or Slide Over positions. App icons morph as you hover them around the screen to preview what layout you’ll get once you let go — a blend of the new 26‑style flexibility with the muscle memory of older iPadOS versions. [12]
macOS Tahoe 26.2: Edge Light turns your Mac into a virtual ring light
On the Mac, December’s headlining feature is Edge Light, a new video‑calling option in macOS Tahoe 26.2 designed to fix dim, grainy faces without buying extra gear. [13]
Here’s what Edge Light does:
- Creates a soft, bright border around your Mac’s display that illuminates your face during calls, mimicking the effect of a ring light.
- Uses the Neural Engine in Apple silicon Macs to detect your face, its size and position in the frame and adjust the lighting accordingly.
- Lets the Image Signal Processor tune the final image so the glow looks natural in your environment.
- Lives in the same control area as background effects, Portrait mode and Studio Light in compatible apps like FaceTime and Zoom.
Edge Light is limited to Macs with Apple silicon and is currently available in the 26.2 beta; Apple and third‑party reports all point to a public release in December alongside iOS and iPadOS 26.2. [14]
Will we see iOS 26.3 betas before the holidays?
If Apple follows its usual pattern, the company will push out the first iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3 and macOS 26.3 betas in mid‑December, shortly after 26.2 launches and before engineers go on their holiday break. [15]
That’s not guaranteed — Apple could always hold 26.3 for January — but developers should be ready for at least an initial beta drop before the end of the year.
Apple TV+ in December: F1 The Movie and new originals
On the streaming side, December is also busy for Apple TV+. [16]
Highlights include:
- F1 The Movie – global streaming debut December 12, 2025
Brad Pitt stars as fictional former F1 prodigy Sonny Hayes in Apple Original Films’ big‑budget racing drama, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick). Apple has confirmed the film will hit Apple TV globally on December 12 after its theatrical run. [17] - Holiday and family content
- Ongoing series
New episodes continue through December for hit series including Pluribus and Down Cemetery Road, keeping Apple TV+ subscribers stocked with weekly drops through the end of the month. [20]
Apple Arcade on December 4: five new games launch at once
Apple Arcade is also getting a notable refresh on Thursday, December 4, with five new titles arriving the same day. [21]
According to Apple and multiple gaming outlets, the December 4 lineup includes:
- PowerWash Simulator – the oddly soothing hit where you blast grime off cars, buildings and more.
- SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit 2 – a sequel platformer set in Bikini Bottom, exclusive to Apple Arcade at launch.
- Cult of the Lamb: Arcade Edition – the acclaimed cult‑builder roguelite, with Apple Arcade‑specific extras.
- Subway Surfers+ – a premium, ad‑free version of what’s often called the world’s most downloaded mobile game.
- NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM+ – a 3D fighting game based on the long‑running anime franchise.
All five games are included in the $6.99/month Apple Arcade subscription, or via Apple One bundles. [22]
Apple Music Replay 2025: your year‑in‑review is almost here
Apple’s answer to Spotify Wrapped, Apple Music Replay 2025, is also part of the December story. [23]
Here’s what to expect:
- Timing
Last year’s full end‑of‑year Replay experience went live around December 3, and Apple’s own support docs emphasise that Replay now provides month‑by‑month stats all year, with a special annual recap layered on top. [24] - Where to find it
You can view Replay:- In the Apple Music app under Listen Now / Home by scrolling to “Replay: Your Top Music”; or
- On the Replay web portal at replay.music.apple.com after signing in with your Apple ID. [25]
Make sure Use Listening History is enabled in Settings → Music, or Apple Music won’t have enough data to build your recap. [26]
What not to expect: December hardware is still unlikely
If you were hoping for a surprise December keynote with brand‑new devices, temper those expectations.
9to5Mac and others note that Apple almost never launches new hardware in December, and there’s currently no indication that will change in 2025. [27]
That means long‑rumoured products like:
- AirTag 2,
- a new Apple TV 4K, and
- HomePod mini 2
are all still more likely to arrive sometime in early 2026, according to ongoing product‑roadmap reporting. [28]
Apple has a history of occasionally dropping late‑year surprises (AirPods Max in December 2020, for instance), so an out‑of‑nowhere announcement is never impossible — just highly unlikely based on current information.
How to get ready for Apple’s December releases today
If you’re planning to install Apple’s December updates or dive into the new services lineup, a little prep now will save headaches later:
- Back up your devices
- iPhone/iPad: use iCloud Backup or a Finder backup on Mac.
- Mac: ensure Time Machine or your preferred backup tool is up to date.
- Free up storage
Major OS updates often require several gigabytes of free space. Offload old apps, photos or downloads ahead of time. - Check app compatibility
If you rely on pro or niche apps, confirm they’re working on the latest betas or wait a few days after launch to see early reports. - Tune your Apple Music settings
Turn on Listening History and make sure you’re actively using Apple Music so Replay 2025 has enough data to build an interesting recap. - Plan your streaming and gaming time
- Note December 4 for the Apple Arcade drop.
- Mark December 12 if you’re excited for F1 The Movie on Apple TV+.
The bottom line
As of November 29, 2025, Apple’s year will likely end not with a hardware bang, but with a wave of meaningful software and service upgrades. iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 promise to refine the big changes of 2025, while Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and Apple Music Replay give users plenty to watch, play and listen to over the holidays. [29]
For most Apple users, December is shaping up to be less about buying a new device and more about getting new experiences out of the hardware they already own — and that’s not a bad way to close out Apple’s busiest year yet.
References
1. 9to5mac.com, 2. 9to5mac.com, 3. zeerawireless.com, 4. www.tomsguide.com, 5. www.tomsguide.com, 6. www.heise.de, 7. 9to5mac.com, 8. www.t3.com, 9. 9to5mac.com, 10. 9to5mac.com, 11. www.macrumors.com, 12. 9to5mac.com, 13. 9to5mac.com, 14. www.macrumors.com, 15. 9to5mac.com, 16. www.tomsguide.com, 17. tv.apple.com, 18. www.tomsguide.com, 19. www.tomsguide.com, 20. 9to5mac.com, 21. 9to5mac.com, 22. 9to5mac.com, 23. 9to5mac.com, 24. 9to5mac.com, 25. replay.music.apple.com, 26. setapp.com, 27. 9to5mac.com, 28. 9to5mac.com, 29. 9to5mac.com
