IOS 26 Public Beta May Be Released Next Week
Apple has been beta testing iOS 26 since the update was announced at WWDC , so the tech world has had plenty of opportunity to see what changes the company has in store for the fall. The thing is, this beta is supposedly for iOS developers only, though that hasn’t stopped anyone from installing the update. While I’ve been discouraging non-developers from running these betas, I have good news: a public beta is coming soon.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman , who is known for his accurate Apple reporting, Apple is planning to release the iOS 26 public beta “around July 23.” If you’re reading this article as of press time, that could be next week. That’s not surprising, given that Apple has previously said the public beta would come in July, a typical month for the company. The iOS 18 public beta came out in mid-July last year , as did iOS 17 , so the iOS 26 public beta, if it comes next week, would be a bit later.
Public Betas vs. Developer Betas
While betas can be a fun way to try out new features before they’re released to the public, I always advise users to exercise caution before installing them on their primary devices. They’re pre-release software that Apple is testing, meaning they may have bugs and glitches that won’t make it into the official release.
However, if you’re serious about beta testing iOS 26, I’d recommend waiting until the public beta is released. Apple’s developer betas are especially prone to instability because they’re still in the early stages of testing. They’re designed to let developers see how their apps respond to the new software. By the time the public beta is released, the company has already fixed most of the major bugs and glitches, making it safer for those interested.
Those who have been following the beta so far know how much can change. Take Liquid Glass , Apple’s major redesign. The company continues to refine the transparency of the glass effect, to the point that in the third developer beta , it barely resembles the original design anymore . Who knows what Liquid Glass will look like once the public beta is out?
Registration for public beta tests
iOS 26 isn’t the only software with a public beta. Next week, you’ll also be able to install public betas of iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26, as well as HomePod 26 software and AirPods firmware if you want to. You’ll need to enroll your Apple ID in Apple’s beta software program to do so.