Apple has recently launched the iOS 26 Public Beta, just a day after the release of iOS 26 Developer Beta 4. Although the Developer Beta is accessible for free without a paid subscription, many users prefer the Public Beta for its stability. Given that Developer Betas typically contain more experimental features and potential risks, the Public Beta offers a more reliable experience.
To install the iOS 26 Public Beta on your iPhone, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. From there, select Beta Updates at the top of the Software Update page. You will then see the option for iOS 26 Public Beta; selecting it will mark it for installation.
After confirming your choice, return to the Software Update section to receive the prompt for the beta installation. For those new to beta versions, an initial registration with the Apple Beta Software Program is required at beta.apple.com. If you’ve already registered previously, you can skip this step and proceed with the installation.
Before moving forward, ensure you back up your device to prevent loss of data due to any bugs that may arise during testing. Previous versions of iOS betas have encountered issues, such as missing incoming call notifications. The most striking change in this update is the introduction of the Liquid Glass design, offering a shimmering effect on various buttons throughout the interface.
Additionally, the Phone app has been revamped; the traditional Favorites feature is now complemented by avatars representing your most dialed contacts. Instead of a Favorites tab, there is now a “Calls” tab that allows users to easily access their most-used contacts. A new layout also includes sections for Recent calls, Contacts, Keypad, and Search.
However, it’s worth noting that there are no updates to Siri in this version, as improvements to the digital assistant have been postponed.