IOS 26 Public Beta May Be Released Tomorrow
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 reporting on Apple, Apple is planning to release the public beta of iOS 26 “around July 23.” Gurman’s report is backed up by MacRumors , a personal X account that posted build numbers for upcoming Apple updates on Monday, including the fourth developer beta of iOS 26. According to MacRumors, the account typically posts build numbers the day before betas launch, which suggests that the fourth developer beta of iOS 26 will be released today, Tuesday, and will be the same build as the first public beta, which is likely to be released on Wednesday.
This schedule is not surprising, given that Apple has previously said that the public beta would come out in July, the company’s usual month for releasing public betas. The iOS 18 public beta came out in mid-July last year , as did iOS 17 , so the iOS 26 public beta is actually a bit late.
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 won’t be the only software with a public beta. 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 choose. (Apple says there won’t be a public beta of VisionOS for Vision Pro users.) To do so, you’ll need to enroll your Apple ID in the Apple Beta Software Program .
iOS 26 isn’t the only beta available right now: Apple is currently testing iOS 18.6 , likely the last release of the iOS 18 era. Unlike iOS 26, however, iOS 18.6 doesn’t actually add any new features. It’s more of a stability update, unless you live in the EU, where Apple is changing how apps and app stores are downloaded from the web.