Apple Launches Public Beta of iOS 26

SadaNews - Apple has made the public beta of iOS 26 available, offering users the opportunity to experience its key updates before the official release next fall. This update is considered one of the boldest and most expansive design updates in over a decade, featuring a completely new interface called "Liquid Glass," along with deeper integration of Apple Intelligence AI technologies and notable performance improvements in core applications.

A Unified Interface Across All Devices

The most striking aspect of iOS 26 is the entirely new "Liquid Glass" design inspired by the interfaces of visionOS. This approach relies on transparent elements and smooth motions, providing a cohesive look that extends across the lock screen, home screen, control center, icons, and animations.

Apple has made precise adjustments to transparency levels and colors based on user feedback from previous versions, aiming to achieve a better balance between aesthetics and usability.

Deeper Integration with AI

iOS 26 offers a smarter experience for daily interactions by integrating new features powered by Apple Intelligence technology. Among the highlights are real-time translation during calls and apps like FaceTime and Messages, supporting multiple languages including English, French, German, and Spanish, all processed on the device to protect privacy.

The system also introduces the "Visual Intelligence" feature, allowing the user to interact with content displayed on the screen, such as recognizing an item within a screenshot and taking direct action on it.

Smart shortcuts have become more efficient, as they can suggest automatic actions like summarizing text, creating an image, or automating multiple tasks with a single step.

Updates to Applications

Many core applications have received significant updates. The camera app has been redesigned with a simpler interface and the ability to use AirPods as a shutter button, in addition to supporting external microphones. The Photos, Safari, Maps, Music, Wallet, and CarPlay apps have seen organizational and functional improvements.

One of the major additions is a new gaming app called "Games," which combines Apple Arcade games and other games in one location for easy browsing and playing.

Supported Devices and Installation Method

Any user can register for the Apple program to experience beta versions and install the update via (Settings ← General ← Software Update). The public version is based on the fourth developer beta released this week.

The new system requires an iPhone 11 or later, excluding support for devices like the iPhone XR and XS and XS Max. Additionally, features of Apple Intelligence require newer devices, such as the A17 Pro chip on iPhones or the M1 chip and later on iPads and Macs.

For the first time, Apple has launched a public beta version of the operating system for AirPods, including the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 models equipped with the H2 chip. New features include automatic pausing when sleeping, studio-quality audio recording, camera control via AirPods, and improvements in call quality.

Notes Before Updating

Although public beta versions are more stable than developer releases, users may encounter some bugs or a decrease in battery performance. Apple advises backing up data before updating and notes that some AI-based features may require monitoring or further improvement.

Apple is expected to officially launch iOS 26 alongside iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 in September, coinciding with the release of the iPhone 17. The public update will likely be available a few days after the official announcement event.

This is the first release where Apple adopts a unified numbering policy across all of its device operating systems, a move aimed at simplifying user understanding of system versions.