TL;DR
iOS 26 introduces several refinements across the iPhone experience, including systemwide credit card AutoFill, an opt-in Visited Places feature in Maps, and pinned items in Apple Music. Each change aims to speed common tasks — payments, finding previously visited locations, and accessing favorite music — while retaining user control over privacy.
What happened
Apple’s iOS 26 packs a number of incremental features that change everyday iPhone workflows. The OS now exposes saved payment cards through the systemwide AutoFill menu: when you tap the cursor in any text field you can open AutoFill and choose a new 'Credit Cards' section to copy card details into forms. Maps gained an opt-in Visited Places mode that automatically detects locations where you spend time (restaurants, shops, etc.), stores them in the app, and surfaces a ‘Visited’ label in searches; Apple says those entries are end-to-end encrypted, not readable by Apple, and can be deleted with a swipe. In Music, you can pin up to six items — playlists, artists, albums or songs — to the top of your Library for faster access. These are small but practical adjustments that aim to reduce friction in everyday tasks.
Why it matters
- Systemwide AutoFill reduces friction when entering card details on sites or apps that don’t support Apple Pay.
- Visited Places can speed location searches by marking venues you’ve actually been to, helping find the right branch among multiple locations.
- End-to-end encryption for Visited Places aims to limit privacy risks by preventing Apple from accessing the stored location data.
- Pinned music puts frequently played or saved recommendations immediately at hand, cutting the steps to start listening.
Key facts
- iOS 26 adds a 'Credit Cards' section to the systemwide AutoFill menu available from any text field.
- Saved card details in AutoFill can be copied and pasted into forms directly from that menu.
- Visited Places in Apple Maps is an opt-in feature that records locations where you spend time, such as restaurants and shops.
- Apple states Visited Places data is protected with end-to-end encryption and cannot be accessed by Apple.
- Visited Places entries can be removed individually with a swipe inside Maps.
- Maps displays a 'Visited' tag on locations you’ve been when running searches, helping identify familiar places.
- Apple Music now supports pinning up to six items to the top of the Library; pins may be playlists, artists, albums or individual songs.
- The article mentioning these features was written by Ryan Christoffel and published on Dec. 29, 2025.
What to watch next
- Whether Apple raises the six-item pin limit in Apple Music — not confirmed in the source.
- How AutoFill handles nonstandard or poorly formatted web forms beyond copy/paste conveniences — not confirmed in the source.
- Adoption and user feedback for Visited Places’ privacy controls and whether additional location controls are introduced — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- AutoFill: A system feature that inserts saved personal information (like names, addresses, or payment cards) into form fields to reduce manual typing.
- End-to-end encryption: A method of securing data so that only the sender and intended recipient(s) can read it; intermediaries cannot access the unencrypted content.
- Visited Places: A Maps feature in iOS 26 that, when enabled, records and stores locations you spend time at so they can be searched and shared.
- Pinned items (Apple Music): User-selected playlists, artists, albums, or songs that are held at the top of the Library for quicker access.
Reader FAQ
How do I access saved credit cards in iOS 26?
Tap the cursor in any text field, open the AutoFill menu, and select the 'Credit Cards' section to copy card details.
Is Visited Places enabled by default?
No. Visited Places is opt-in and must be enabled by the user.
Can Apple read my Visited Places data?
According to Apple, Visited Places entries are protected with end-to-end encryption and cannot be accessed by Apple.
How many items can I pin in Apple Music?
You can pin up to six titles, including playlists, artists, albums, or individual songs.
Here are six exciting Apple product launches to look forward to in 2026 Michael Burkhardt Dec 27 2025 IOS 26 iOS 26 has three new iPhone features I’ve been really…
Sources
- iOS 26 has three new iPhone features I’ve been really loving
- Don't Like iOS 26? Here are 18 Features That Might …
- What's new in iOS 26
- Ranked: The 10 Most Useful iOS 26 Features | Page 3
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