Apple has now released the first public betas for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. This gives all the Apple enthusiasts out there a chance to test drive the new software ahead of its official launch in September. This public release follows several rounds of developer betas, and marks the first opportunity for general public to get a hands-on taste of these updates since they were announced at the start of June.
That means you can see the new Liquid Glass interface for yourself, along with the redesigned Lock Screen, the new Phone app, and everything else added this year.
But be warned that this is still pre-release beta software, meaning some apps might not work as intended just yet and you’re almost certain to encounter unexpected bugs from time to time. Personally, I’ve been using the developer beta on my main device (not recommended!) since the start, and it’s been noticeably more janky than usual. Remember this is the biggest design overhaul in years, so it’s no surprise that Apple have a lot to iron out this summer. I’ve had random crashes when texting, apps crashing, and faster-than-usual battery drain. You have been warned.
If those kind of issues don’t bother you, or you have a secondary device you can use, now’s your chance to go for it. One final thing – it’s not just iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 that are available to try. Apple also dropped public betas for its other devices, including macOS 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26.
How to install the iOS 26 beta
To try the new software for yourself, sign up for the free Apple Beta Software Program. Once registered, you can then download updates by heading to the Settings app, tapping on General, then hitting the Software Update section. Here, you can toggle on the iOS 26 Public Beta option, which grants access to the current release and all subsequent beta updates through the summer. Then simply update your software as usual.