[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Apple has released the release candidate (RC) version of iPhone operating system iOS 26.6, signalling an official update is imminent. The update focuses on laying the groundwork for iOS 27 and next-generation Siri AI, due this autumn, rather than adding many new features.

On July 20 local time, IT outlet 9to5Mac reported that Apple distributed iOS 26.6 RC to developers and beta testers. The RC is the stage just before a public release, and if no major issues are found, the same build is often released to general users.

iOS 26.6 has gone through five test versions via developer and public beta programs since the first beta was released on May 26. With the RC now out, the final version is expected to be distributed within a few days to two weeks.

The key change in the update is optimisation of the Spotlight search system. In official release notes, Apple said iOS 26.6 includes bug fixes and security updates and "optimises the Spotlight index to prepare for iOS 27."

Spotlight is a core feature for searching data on an iPhone. If the index is prepared in advance, reindexing needed when users upgrade to iOS 27 can proceed faster and more efficiently.

The change is also linked to next-generation Siri AI. The industry expects a broad overhaul of AI-based Siri as a key feature of iOS 27. Because the new Siri operates based on re-analysing and indexing data on the iPhone, Apple is seen as preparing related groundwork in iOS 26.6.

There are not many new features users will notice. The most notable change is a new warning alert for users who have blocked an excessive number of contacts. 9to5Mac also said it found signs in iOS 26.6 code of a new anti-snatching feature for iPhone, but added it is unlikely to be included in this public release.

Security updates are also applied, but detailed fixes have not yet been disclosed. Apple plans to release related details through its security notice after the final version is distributed.

The launch timing is expected to be similar to past schedules. Apple previously released iOS 18.6 and iOS 17.6 on July 29, iOS 16.6 on July 24 and iOS 15.6 on July 20. Based on those precedents, iOS 26.6 is also likely to be made available to general users around this month.

The industry sees iOS 26.6 as a preparatory step for the transition to iOS 27 rather than a large standalone update. It is being analysed as a release that refines system foundations centred on bug fixes, stronger security and Spotlight index optimisation, while serving as a foothold for the AI-focused next-generation iPhone operating system due this autumn.