The First Public Beta of IOS 26 Is Out, and Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Install It
iOS 26 is on its way. Apple first announced the latest update for iPhone during WWDC 2025 , revealing new features like a refreshed “ Liquid Glass ” design, the first major update to the Camera app in years , and live translation for all supported Apple devices .
Apple doesn’t plan to release iOS 26 to the general public until the fall. However, you can try it out right now if you have a compatible iPhone by installing the iOS 26 public beta (not to be confused with the developer beta). The thing is, I wouldn’t recommend you try it.
Two types of iOS beta versions
Apple releases two types of betas: a developer beta and a public beta. The developer beta, which has been running since WWDC in June, is exclusively for software developers. They can install and test their apps on iOS 26. This way, they can update their apps to work correctly with the new OS update and report any OS-level issues to Apple. These betas are released first and tend to have the most bugs of any iOS version.
Now, let’s talk about the public beta that Apple just launched today. This beta is for the general public to try out new features and changes before they’re released this fall. That’s because it comes after more than a month of developer beta testing: iOS 26 public beta 1 is technically iOS 26 developer beta 4, which means this first preview for public testers is actually the fourth time Apple has tested iOS 26 in beta.
You probably shouldn’t install the iOS 26 public beta.
With all the new features and changes Apple has added this year, it’s tempting to install the iOS 26 beta on your iPhone, but I generally don’t recommend it. Betas, by their very nature, are unfinished software. The whole point of beta testing is to test the new update for bugs, instability, and incompatibilities. Developers then fix these issues before releasing the program to the general public.
By installing iOS 26 beta, you are installing an unstable version of iOS on your iPhone. This may make it difficult or, in the worst case, impossible to use your iPhone. If you need to remove the beta from your iPhone, you will likely have to install a clean version of iOS 18, which may result in data loss if you normally use backups.
A word of warning: If you’re going to run a beta, it’s much better to run a public beta since it’s already out. While anyone who signs up for an Apple account as a developer can run a developer beta, these betas tend to be more buggy because Apple releases them to developers first and then opens them up to public testers. At least if you run a public beta, you’re using pre-tested software, so the chances of catastrophic bugs are much lower.
How to Install iOS 26 Beta
While I don’t recommend it, you have a choice between the iOS 26 developer beta and the iOS 26 public beta. Previously, Apple’s developer betas were only available to developers with a paid $99 license. This prevented most users from trying them out early, although some still found them online. But in recent years, Apple has made it free to at least sign up as a developer, and that’s now all you need to get access to the developer beta. Now that the public beta is out, Apple will likely release the dev version 24 hours before the public beta, so you can think of it as the “early” version of each beta.
To install the developer beta, you’ll need to sign up for the Apple Developer program with your Apple account. Sign in with your Apple ID here and agree to the terms. Open the Settings app, then go to General > Software Update > Beta Updates . Here, you’ll be able to select iOS 26 Developer Beta once it’s available. Tap Back in the top-left corner, allow iOS to download the beta, then tap Update Now .
To install the public beta, you’ll need to sign up for your Apple account in the Apple Beta Software Program . Then, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates . Select iOS 26 Public Beta and tap Back . iOS will download the beta, and you can tap Update Now when it’s ready.
Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 26?
Of course, your iPhone must be compatible to install iOS 26. Unfortunately, Apple has excluded the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR from this year’s update. That means the following iPhones are compatible with iOS 26:
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iPhone 16e
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iPhone 16
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iPhone 16 Plus
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iPhone 16 Pro
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iPhone 16 Pro Max
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iPhone 15
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iPhone 15 Plus
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iPhone 15 Pro
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iPhone 15 Pro Max
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iPhone 14
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iPhone 14 Plus
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iPhone 14 Pro
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iPhone 14 Pro Max
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iPhone 13
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iPhone 13 mini
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iPhone 13 Pro
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iPhone 13 Pro Max
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iPhone 12
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iPhone 12 mini
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iPhone 12 Pro
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iPhone 12 Pro Max
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iPhone 11
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iPhone 11 Pro
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iPhone 11 Pro Max
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iPhone SE (2nd generation)
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iPhone SE (3rd generation)
What’s new in iOS 26?
Apple announced a bunch of new features in this software update. There’s a brand new design called “Liquid Glass,” based on how light and objects refract through glass. It sounds pretentious, but honestly, I like the design: it’s minimalist and seems to have a lot of attention to detail. Apple has made some tweaks to the Liquid Glass design during this beta, and I’m looking forward to testing it out.
Live Translation can translate audio and text equally, so you can communicate in two languages without knowing the other. Visual Intelligence , which lets you analyze objects using the camera, now works with any image on your iPhone screen, making it even more useful. Genmoji and Image Playground now let you combine two AI-powered images into one, and the Shortcuts app now supports Apple Intelligence.
The Phone app has received a new design, as well as a number of new features that should reduce spam: Call Screening , which asks callers for their details before transferring them to you, and Hold Assist , which lets you know when an operator is available to talk. The Messages app also lets you filter text messages , add custom backgrounds, and create polls. Group chats now support typing indicators. Plus, the first time you take a photo in iOS 26, you’ll see a redesigned Camera app.