Apple has seeded the ninth developer beta of iOS 26, now available for installation on compatible devices as testing nears its end.
Recent iOS 26 beta releases have focused on both design refinement and user feedback. Beta 2 introduced visual polish with Control Center legibility improvements, better Safari menu organization, and enhanced accessibility through High Contrast Mode.
Beta 3 added opaque tab bars and new wallpaper colors, though Beta 4 reverted the opacity changes while reintroducing notification summaries for select apps following earlier Apple Intelligence concerns. Beta 5 addressed user feedback by restoring the Select button in Mail and adding a toggle for the classic Camera swipe direction—only for Beta 6 to remove that toggle again while introducing faster animations, new ringtones, and other subtle refinements. Beta 7 fixed a bug that resulted in screenshots having a darker appearance, as well as adding support for Apple’s redesigned Blood Oxygen feature on Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models sold in the U.S. Beta 8 provided bug fixes and stability improvements.
Apple traditionally releases major iOS updates roughly one week after its September iPhone event. In 2023, iOS 17 arrived on September 18 after the September 12 launch. And in 2024, iOS 18 followed the September 9 event precisely one week later, on September 16.
This year, Apple’s “Awe-Dropping” event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 2025, and sources are pointing to mid-September for iOS 26’s release. Both Macworld and other credible outlets specifically cite Monday, September 15 as the most likely launch date, fitting perfectly with the historical pattern.
iOS 26 marks Apple’s first major visual overhaul since iOS 7, debuting a new “Liquid Glass” aesthetic. The update features translucent layers, dynamic layouts, and spatial wallpapers that create striking 3D-like effects. The Lock Screen has been enhanced with intelligent clock placement that automatically adjusts to avoid overlapping key elements in the wallpaper. Core apps like Camera, Photos, Music, News, and Podcasts have also received refreshed interfaces, including a floating tab bar for more immersive navigation.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s on-device AI suite, has been further expanded. Notable features include Live Translation in Messages and FaceTime, Visual Intelligence for interacting with on-screen content, and upgrades to the Phone and Messages apps. Highlights include Call Screening, iMessage polls, and group Apple Cash payments.
Other additions in iOS 26 include AutoMix in Apple Music for seamless song transitions, visited place tracking in Maps, and redesigned Wallet boarding passes with Live Activities integration.
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