Apple has today released the first public beta of iOS 26, allowing non-developers to test the latest features ahead of the official release. Until now, only the developer betas have been available, which, while technically installable by anyone, are primarily intended for developers with test hardware.
Apple typically waits about a month before releasing public betas. This delay allows the company time to address major bugs and refine the software, as public testers are more likely to install the beta on their primary devices. In contrast, developers are expected to use dedicated testing devices to minimize the risk of bugs affecting their daily workflow.
The first public beta of iOS 26 includes the same visual overhaul seen in the developer betas, including the new Liquid Glass aesthetic, dynamic layouts, and spatial wallpapers. Additionally, it brings new features like Live Translation in Messages and FaceTime, along with improvements to Apple Intelligence, including Visual Intelligence and Call Screening.
Public testers will also get to experience the revamped Lock Screen, redesigned stock apps, and features like AutoMix in Apple Music and visited place tracking in Maps.
Trending Now
