
iOS 26 Visual Intelligence: A Complete Guide & Quick Start
Jul 15, 2025 • Filed to: Phone Repair Solutions • Proven solutions
Now, your iPhone steps into a new era of intelligence with iOS 26 Visual Intelligence, where understanding and responding feel human. It goes beyond simple face recognition or text scanning; it understands the context and even anticipates what you might need next. Need to pull up directions from a handwritten note or want to copy text from a street sign; just tap, and you're done.
In this complete review, you will walk through everything you should know, from what it is to how-to guides. However, if you wonder why Visual Intelligence doesn't work on your phone, the tested software will be discussed for upgrading your iOS version.
Part 1. What is iOS 26 Visual Intelligence?
The newly presented Visual Intelligence Apple in iOS 26 marks a major leap in how your iPhone interacts with on-screen content. For better understanding, explore the features provided below, explaining how your device can now interpret what's on your screen:
- Get Information About a Place: With your Camera app, Visual Intelligence can recognize instant key details such as operating hours and available services.
- New Object Identification: Simply point your camera at any plant or animal to let Visual Intelligence identify the species and provide helpful insights.
- Interact with Text: It recognizes text in its surroundings and can summarize, translate, or read it aloud as per convenience. It's a completely hands-free solution and detects phone numbers, emails, and URLs, enabling immediate action.
- Ask ChatGPT for Information: Capture an image and tap "Ask" to solve queries with more questions through typing or voice inputs on ChatGPT.
- Search Google for Similar Items: You can now run a quick Google search for similar items or images, a seamless way to explore visual matches and find alternatives.
- Highlight to Search: This function allows one to draw over an object using your fingers over the screenshot and conduct an image search for object identification. It even works on multiple things in a picture and uses Google Image Search by default.
- Summarize Text: Click a photo of text from the iOS 26 Visual Intelligence interface and use its Summarize option to get a summary of what's written. It's convenient for long blocks of text and provides a brief summary of the text, not particularly in-depth.
- Read Text Out Loud: For the Camera Control image of text, there is now an option to hear it and read it aloud. To use this, you can simply consider "Read Aloud" from the bottom of your display.
- Scan QR Codes: Now, Visual Intelligence can be used to scan a QR code without needing to snap an image. All you need to do is simply point the camera at the QR code and access the link that appears.
- Detect and Save Contact Numbers: Apple says with iOS 26, you can add phone numbers, email addresses, and even open an address in the Maps app.
- Generate a Calendar Event: Visual Intelligence Apple currently provides users with an option to add an event to their calendar with something that has a date on it.
- Translate Text: In the current iOS 26, an individual can translate a captured text that is not in their language (currently limited to English).
- Navigate to Website image name: Having an image with a link and captured through Visual Intelligence iPhone, you'll be provided with an option to tap to visit.
- Send Emails and Make Phone Calls: An image with an email address can be accessed in the Mail app with a compose option. Similarly, when there is a phone number, you'll see an option to call it.
Part 2. How to Use Apple Visual Intelligence on iPhone
If you have a screenshot or an image captured via the Camera app on your iOS 26 screen, Visual Intelligence can transform that into something interactive. You can circle an item to find similar products online (like the Google Lens search) or ask ChatGPT what's displayed.
It scans through your screenshot and suggests identifications, either related to sculpture or books. Without leaving the screen, learn how to have command of Apple Visual Intelligence:
Step 1. Take a screenshot on your iPhone and tap into it to reveal "Ask" and "Image Search" buttons at the bottom. Now, navigate to the "Ask" option and type in a question to ask ChatGPT about the screenshot.
Step 2. On your captured image, use the "Highlight to Search" option and use your finger to draw over what you want to look up. Later, swipe up to conduct a search about the highlighted part through suggested websites.
Note: Apple's iPhone Action Button (available on iPhone 15 Pro and above) can be customized to trigger Visual Intelligence workflows. For instance, it can be set to translate content, scan text, or identify objects with a single press. Moreover, you can access iOS 26 Visual Intelligence from the Control Centre of your iPhone.
Part 3: Utilize the Latest iOS 26 Visual Intelligence Features via Beta Upgrade: Dr. Fone - System Repair (iOS)
Are you excited to explore new iOS 26 Visual Intelligence but can't find it on your iPhone? For relief, remember that this happens due to compatibility issues or an outdated iOS version. If you think your device is eligible but still missing Visual Intelligence, try Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS). This software shows all the available signed iOS versions to upgrade your iPhone.
Moreover, this method doesn't depend on Apple Servers, which means that you can upgrade your iPhone under all conditions. It also offers an Anti-Recovery Mode through which you can permanently erase data, and it makes it impossible for the data recovery tools to restore data. In addition, you can utilize this robust tool to upgrade the firmware version on an iPad or an iPod.

Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS)
Repair iOS System Errors Without data loss.
- Only fix your iOS to normal, no data loss at all.
- Fix various iOS system issues stuck in recovery mode, white Apple logo, black screen, looping on start, etc.
- Upgrade and Downgrade iOS without iTunes at all.
- Work for all iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, running on all iOS versions
Step-by-Step Manual on Upgrading Your iOS Version to iOS 26
To experience the functions offered by Visual Intelligence Apple, go through the given manual and upgrade your version to iOS 26:
Step 1. Install the Program and Access System Repair
Launch Dr.Fone, access the "Toolbox" from the left panel, and select the "System Repair" option. After this, choose the "iPhone" option from the device type.
Step 2. Proceed with the Appropriate Method
Now, click the "iOS Upgrade/Downgrade" option and continue with the "Upgrade iOS" option on the next screen. Connect your iPhone to the computer with an Apple-verified USB cable.
Step 3. Specify Your iOS Firmware and Install
Once connected, choose the iOS 26 firmware for upgrade and press the "Download" button. Next, click "Repair Now" to initiate the installation process and hit the "Done" button to conclude it.
4,624,541 people have downloaded it
Note:
You can also downgrade your iOS version if you are facing performance issues using the same "iOS Upgrade/Downgrade" option in Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS).
Part 4. Why Visual Intelligence May Not Work on Your iPhone?
Regardless of the impressive upgrade of the iPhone Visual Intelligence, the given reasons might be the possibilities why it's not working on your phone:
- iOS Version is Outdated: This Virtual Intelligence function is tied to the latest iOS versions, especially iOS 18.2 or later. When your iPhone hasn't been updated, your system might lack the underlying frameworks that power these tools.
- Device Model Doesn't Support Features: Not all iPhone models support Virtual Intelligence due to hardware limitations or missing advanced image processors. Models like iPhone X, 8, or older series might not be equipped with the necessary Neural Engine required for AI-visual tasks.
- Region Restriction: A couple of features in Visual Intelligence are only available in selected countries due to regulatory or licensing issues. Take an example, real-time scene recognition might not be accessible if you're located outside the U.S or supported regions.
- Privacy Settings Limit Access: When Virtual Intelligence depends on analyzing your images or using the camera for real-time recognition. Thus, when necessary, permission isn't granted, the system can't scan or interpret content, resulting in missing out on features.
Among all the listed reasons, if you think your buggy iPhone is holding back this new innovation, utilize Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS) for smarter performance unlock.
Conclusion
In closing, the upgraded iOS 26 Visual Intelligence redefines how your iPhones interact with the world and is incredibly useful in everyday moments. Whether it's identifying text or objects to connect you with the technology like ChatGPT, it evolves how you interact with your screen. When you're excited about the innovation and realize it's not working on your phone, consider using the robust functionalities of Dr.Fone.
4,624,541 people have downloaded it
iOS 26 Topics
- iOS 26 Downgrade/Upgrade
- iOS 26 Bugs/Issues
- 1. iOS 26 Beta Bugs List
- 2. Fix iOS 26 Glitches
- 3. Unable to Verify Update iOS 26
- 4. Hey Siri Not Responding on iOS 26
- 5. RCS Messaging Not Working in iOS 26
- 6. iOS 26 Beta Battery Drain
- 7. iOS 26 Stuck on Install Now
- 8. iOS 26 Update Not Showing Up
- 9. iOS 26 Unable to Check for Update
- 10. iOS 26 Update Failed
- 11. iOS 26 Beta Developer Mode Not Showing
- 12. iOS 26 Beta Frozen
- 13. iOS 26 Camera Not Working
- 14. iOS 26 Beta Control Center Bugs
- 15. iOS 26 Beta Laggy
- iOS 26 Features
Alice MJ
staff Editor
Generally rated4.5(105participated)