Apple has officially opened public beta testing for its 2026 software lineup, with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 and watchOS 26 now available for supported devices. The rollout gives users an early look at what’s coming later this year, including a major visual overhaul and several new features across Apple’s platforms.
One of the biggest changes is cosmetic, where a new design language called Liquid Glass brings shiny, translucent visuals across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, marking the company’s most dramatic interface revamp in years. Apple is also moving away from its previous naming convention, dropping the version numbers like “iOS 18” in favour of year-based branding. Hence, this year’s releases carry the “26” label.
Apple typically finalises its major software updates in September, shortly before new iPhone launches. Last year, iOS 18 was released on 16 September, and a similar timeline is expected for iOS 26 following the iPhone 17 event in early September.
What’s New In iOS 26 And iPadOS 26
iOS 26 introduces personalised wallpapers and interactive polls in Messages, along with a new Live Translation feature that works across Messages, FaceTime, and Phone. Visual Intelligence also sees improvements, allowing users to interact with content directly on their screen, and there are new conversation screening tools aimed at reducing noise.
On the iPad, iPadOS 26 makes one of its most significant leaps yet toward desktop-class productivity. Apple’s tablets now support true window management, a menu bar system, and familiar macOS features like Exposé and the Preview app. The changes are particularly aimed at professional users frustrated by the iPad Pro’s previously limited multitasking potential.
macOS Tahoe 26 And watchOS 26 Highlights
macOS 26, which is also branded as macOS Tahoe, inherits iPhone features like the Phone app and Live Activities, while also enhancing Spotlight to allow direct actions from the launcher. On the wearable side, watchOS 26 introduces Workout Buddy, an AI-powered fitness assistant that uses your training history to offer real-time insights via voice prompts.
Availability And Device Support
The public betas are now available via Apple’s Beta Software Program. Anyone with a compatible device can sign up and install the beta directly through the Software Update section in Settings.
Supported iPhones for iOS 26 include models from iPhone SE (2nd gen) and iPhone 11 onwards, up to the latest iPhone 16 series. For iPads, iPadOS 26 is available on recent iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad Mini models, including those powered by M-series and A16/A17 chips.
Apple Watch users should exercise more caution, as downgrading from a watchOS beta is not possible. watchOS 26 supports Apple Watch Series 6 and later, including SE and Ultra models. Users must first install the iOS 26 beta on their paired iPhone before installing the watchOS beta.
On that note, users should remember that public betas may still contain bugs and performance issues. A full device backup is strongly recommended before installation.
(Source: Apple)
