Apple wrapped up WWDC 25 earlier this week, and the very first developer beta of iOS 26 is now right here. This early launch offers builders (and essentially the most impatient lovers) their first hands-on encounter with options the corporate previewed on stage at Apple Park: a significant redesign and AI upgrades for the iPhone software program.
The greatest new characteristic is Liquid Glass, Apple’s new cohesive design language throughout all its units, with a clear, lenslike aesthetic. Live Translation is built-in into Messages and FaceTime that will help you talk throughout languages. Call Screening, an evolution of Live Voicemail, picks up unknown numbers in your behalf, asks why callers are calling and reveals a reside transcript so you’ll be able to resolve whether or not to leap in or let it roll to voicemail. Its sidekick, Hold Assist, listens to the maintain music for you and pings you the moment an actual particular person comes on the road. And there’s much more.
By leaping straight from iOS 18 to iOS 26, Apple is syncing its cellular OS naming with the remainder of its platforms and signaling a generational leap somewhat than the same old annual tune-up. It’s the most important OS replace since iOS 7, with updates and enhancements to just about each a part of the iPhone.
If you wish to check out any of those options, you are able to do so proper now. Here’s how one can obtain iOS 26.
Watch this: I’m Impressed With iOS 26. Apple Just Made iPhones Better
A fast warning earlier than you obtain iOS 26
Yes, the iOS 26 developer beta is free, however bear in mind it is meant for builders, not day-to-day use. Early builds usually carry bugs that may crash apps, drain your battery, overheat your cellphone and usually make your machine really feel sluggish. Unless you should check software program in opposition to Apple’s subsequent launch, it is smarter to stay with the general public beta, which might be launched subsequent month, in your predominant iPhone.
The iPhone 17, when it is introduced, will help iOS 26.
Which iPhone fashions help iOS 26?
As lengthy as you personal an iPhone 11 or newer, you’ll be able to obtain iOS 26. That means the iPhone XR/XS era is out, whereas each A13 Bionic handset ahead, together with the forthcoming iPhone 17 fashions, are included. Here’s the total listing of appropriate iPhone fashions that may run iOS 26:
Apple Intelligence works solely on appropriate telephones, which embody any iPhone 16 mannequin and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
What you should know earlier than you obtain the iOS 26 developer beta
Before you get too excited and begin putting in the iOS 26 developer beta, there are some things you should do:
- Check your {hardware} first. This beta runs solely on iPhone 11 and newer. If you need the headline Apple Intelligence options, you will want an iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max or something within the forthcoming iPhone 17 lineup.
- Update to the newest public launch. Make positive your cellphone is already on essentially the most present secure construct (proper now that is iOS 18.5). This helps stop any points that come up from updating with outdated software program.
- Have a superb Wi-Fi connection. You need the set up to go flawlessly, which implies you need to be related to some fairly respectable Wi-Fi.
- Have sufficient house in your cellphone. You want a minimum of 15GB of house in your cellphone to obtain the iOS 26 developer beta.
- Archive a backup. A traditional iCloud backup might be overwritten; you want one that may’t. On your Mac, join your iPhone, open Finder, choose your machine, hit Back Up Now > Manage Backups, right-click the brand new backup and click on Archive. On Windows, it is fairly related. Open iTunes, click on Back Up Now, find the backup in Preferences and archive it.
- Know the escape hatch. If the beta breaks your cellphone for any cause (this has by no means occurred to me), you will need to put the cellphone in Recovery Mode, restore iOS 18.5, after which pull that archived backup again onto the machine.
Once you have adopted these steps, you are just about able to go.
How to put in the iOS 26 developer beta in your iPhone
Apple now lets anybody set up developer betas with out paying the $99 annual charge. To achieve this, go to the Apple Developer website on the machine you propose to replace, open the ☰ menu, select Account, and sign up with that machine’s Apple ID. Agree to the phrases, tick the required containers, and faucet Submit. You may additionally must allow Developer Mode in Settings > Privacy and Security.
Now you’ll be able to set up the iOS 26 developer beta in your cellphone as an over-the-air replace:
- After you join the Apple Developer program, it’s best to see the choice to obtain the iOS 26 developer beta in your settings.
- On your machine, open Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select the iOS 26 Developer Beta.
- Go again and faucet Download and Install underneath the brand new “iOS 26 Developer Beta” choice that seems.
The iOS 26 developer beta is 15.28GB in measurement.
Finally, punch in your passcode, settle for the T&C, and let the installer do its factor. On a good Wi-Fi connection, the download-and-reboot routine ought to take roughly 10 to fifteen minutes, however which will range. When your iPhone powers again on, you will be working the iOS 26 developer beta.
