Apple has been beta testing iOS 26 since saying the replace at WWDC, so the tech world has had loads of possibilities to see what adjustments the corporate is cooking up for the autumn. The factor is, this beta is just supposedly to be for iOS builders—although that hasn’t stopped most of the people from putting in the replace. Whereas I’ve strongly discouraged non-developers from working these betas, I’ve excellent news: The general public beta is sort of right here.
In line with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has a observe document for correct Apple reporting, Apple is planning iOS 26’s public beta “across the twenty third” of July. Gurman’s reporting is adopted up by a MacRumors supply, a personal account on X, who shared leaked construct numbers for Apple’s upcoming spherical of updates on Monday—together with the fourth developer beta for iOS 26. In line with MacRumors, the account often drops the construct numbers a day earlier than the betas launch, which suggests iOS 26 developer beta 4 will drop as we speak, Tuesday, and would be the identical construct as the primary public beta, which could drop Wednesday.
This timeline is not shocking, seeing as Apple beforehand introduced the general public beta would drop in July—the corporate’s traditional month for public beta releases. iOS 18’s public beta dropped in mid-July final 12 months, as did iOS 17’s, so iOS 26’s public beta is definitely a bit late.
Public betas vs. developer betas
Whereas betas could be a enjoyable approach to check out new options earlier than most of the people, I at all times advise that customers train warning earlier than putting in them on their principal units. That is prerelease software program that Apple is placing by way of its paces, which suggests there may very well be bugs and glitches that would not be current on an official launch.
In case you are dead-set on beta testing iOS 26, nonetheless, I might suggest ready for this public beta. Apple’s developer betas are significantly vulnerable to instability, since they’re nonetheless within the earliest levels of testing. They’re designed for builders to see how their apps reply to the software program. By the point the corporate releases a public beta, they’ve sorted by way of a lot of the worst bugs and glitches, which makes it safer for people to attempt it out if .
What do you assume up to now?
These following the beta journey so far will know the way a lot issues can change. Simply take a look at Liquid Glass, Apple’s huge redesign. The corporate continues to regulate how clear that glassy impact actually is—to the purpose the place, with the third developer beta, it hardly appears to be like like the unique design. Who is aware of what Liquid Glass will appear to be as soon as the general public beta drops?
Signing up for the general public betas
iOS 26 will not be the one software program with a public beta, both. You also needs to have the ability to set up the general public betas iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26, HomePod software program 26, and AirPods Firmware, if you want. (Apple says there shall be no visionOS public beta, for any Imaginative and prescient Professional customers.) To take action, you will must enroll your Apple ID with the Apple Beta Software program Program.
iOS 26 additionally is not the one beta out proper now—Apple is at present testing iOS 18.6, probably the final launch of the iOS 18 period. In contrast to iOS 26, nonetheless, iOS 18.6 actually does not introduce any new options. It is extra of a stability replace, except you reside within the EU, the place Apple is altering the expertise for downloading apps and app marketplaces from the online.
