iOS 26 Public Beta is now available

Macworld

As is tradition, Apple released beta versions of its new operating systems to developers on the first day of WWDC on June 9. That first beta release had all the major features Apple demonstrated in its WWDC keynote: Liquid Glass, the new Phone app and features, the new Camera and Photos experience, and more.

Subsequent released have focused on refining the interface, improving performance and quality, and squashing bugs.

There are still plenty of unrefined areas, as you would expect with a major iOS update still weeks from release. Not everything is working as it should, so you might think twice about running the beta on a critical device.

You can read all about all the new features in our iOS 26 superguide and find out the latest information about the iOS beta including when it will launch and how to install it in a separate story.

Update July 24: The first Public Beta of iOS 26 is now available. There is also a new build of developer beta 4, with an updated build number (23A5297i was the first beta 4 release, the new build is 23A5297m).

What’s new in the latest beta release

Here’s what’s new in the fourth beta of iOS 26:

The “liquid glass” interface effects have been further tweaked, now a little more glass-like than beta 3 but still more legible than earlier betas.

On first launch, you are asked which notifications you want summaries for. You can individually select from: News & Entertainment, Communication & Social, and All Other Apps.

There is a new Dynamic option for the iOS 26 wallpapers that cycles through them based on time of day.

Silence Unknown Callers has three options: Never, Ask Reason for Calling, and Silence. Silence functions as it did in previous versions of iOS, and Ask Reason for Calling is the new Call Screening feature.

The Camera app has a new splash screen to prepare you for the new simplified design.

iOS 26: How to install the public beta

The iOS 26 public beta test is expected to begin in July, but you can sign up now so you’re ready for it.

Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.

Log in to the Beta Software Program.

Click Enroll your iOS device.

Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.

In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.

It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update.

iOS 26: How to install the developer beta

You’ll need to be registered as an Apple developer, but a free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app:

Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store.

Open the app.

Tap on Account.

Sign in using your usual Apple ID.

Find out everything you need to know about iOS 18 in our iOS 26 superguide.