iOS 26 Public Beta is Available Now
Apple has officially opened the gates to iOS 26 for the public, releasing the much-anticipated beta version of its next iPhone operating system. If you’ve been itching to try out the company’s fresh new design language and a handful of quality-of-life upgrades teased at WWDC back in June, now’s your chance.
The iOS 26 public beta is available to download starting today through the Apple Beta Software Program. You’ll need to sign up with your Apple ID and then head to Settings > General > Software Update to get started.
But before you rush in, here’s a friendly reminder: back up your iPhone first. Beta software isn’t final. Bugs, crashes, and app incompatibility are all fair game. If you rely on your iPhone daily, consider installing the beta on a secondary device instead.
What to Expect From This New iOS 26 Public Beta
The most noticeable change? The new Liquid Glass interface. It gives the home and lock screens a translucent, light-reactive facelift — a dramatic shift from the more utilitarian design iPhone users have gotten used to. It’s a cohesive look Apple is rolling out across all its platforms, including macOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. If it reminds you of Windows Vista’s Aero Glass, you’re not alone.
Beyond eye candy, iOS 26 packs some genuinely useful updates:
- Phone App Redesign: Now you can view contacts, voicemails, and recent calls all in one place. There’s also Hold Assist, which automatically alerts you when a customer service rep picks up.
- Live Translation: Real-time language translation is now built directly into the Phone, Messages, and FaceTime apps. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s a solid first step.
- Polls in Messages: You can now create polls directly in group chats to quickly settle plans. No more 83-message threads about dinner.
- Spam Filtering for Messages: Unknown senders and scammy texts are automatically sorted into a separate folder.
- Visual Intelligence: Think reverse image search, but baked into iOS. Snap a screenshot and the system will help you find similar items online.
- Photos Tab Reversal: Tabs like Library and Collections are back in the Photos app after last year’s controversial UI changes.
- FaceTime Nudity Detection: A new safety feature will freeze your video if explicit content is detected, designed primarily for child protection.
Siri, meanwhile, is sitting this round out. Apple says its AI-enhanced version of the assistant is still in development and expected sometime next year, possibly alongside a deeper integration of large language models like ChatGPT or Claude.
Which iPhones Will Support iOS 26?
Most iPhones from 2019 onward are eligible. That includes:
- iPhone 11 and newer (including the SE 2nd gen and up)
- iPhone 12/13/14/15 families
- New iPhone 16 and 16e models
- Upcoming iPhone 17 lineup expected this September
Older models like the iPhone XR and XS series won’t make the cut this time around.
Why It’s Called iOS 26 (And Not 19)
In a move to align software names with calendar years, Apple is skipping a few numbers. iOS 26 will launch in 2025, carrying the “26” branding to match other products and set the tone for the year ahead, similar to how car manufacturers brand their models.
When Will the Final iOS 26 Release Arrive?
If Apple sticks to its usual rhythm, expect the full rollout to begin within a week of the next iPhone launch this September. Last year, iOS 18 landed on 16 September, so mark your calendars accordingly.
The iOS 26 public beta isn’t just a new coat of paint; it’s a sign that Apple’s finally listening to long-standing requests for smarter features, modern design, and better communication tools. It’s not without risk, especially in beta form, but for those who want an early taste of what’s coming, now’s the time to dive in.
Just don’t forget to back everything up first.
