Apple Releases iOS 26 Public Beta: Top New Features, Supported Devices, and How to Install Now

Apple has started rolling out the iOS 26 public beta, giving every eligible iPhone owner an early taste of the software that will ship on new iPhone 17 models this fall. Below is everything you need to know—features, device list, install guide, risks, and how to roll back—so you can decide whether to jump in now or wait for the polished release. What’s new in iOS 26 public beta • Revamped design language – subtle depth effects, refreshed icons, and a sleeker Control Center align iPhone, iPad, and Mac visuals across the “Apple Design 3.0” framework. • Smarter battery optimization – on-device machine learning predicts daily charging patterns and slows chemical aging, building on last year’s Clean Energy Charging. • Siri 2.0 – a rebuilt, on-device large language model delivers faster, context-aware responses while keeping personal data private. • Adaptive audio – iOS 26 can automatically balance notifications, media, and ambient sound when you move between Focus modes or AirPods. • Messages via satellite – emergency SOS texts introduced in iOS 15 expand to everyday texting when no cellular or Wi-Fi is available (supported on iPhone 14 or later). • Health & Fitness upgrades – the new Vitals app tracks nightly respiration, heart rate variability, and body temperature trends, flagging anomalies inside Apple Health. • Interactive Home Screen widgets – control smart-home accessories, check off reminders, or start a timer without opening the app. • Game Mode – lowers background latency, reserves additional GPU cycles, and supports 120 fps on compatible titles. Supported devices According to Apple’s release notes, you’ll need an iPhone XR/XS or newer; the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X finally drop off the list this year. All iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models get the full feature set, while some AI functions are limited to A17-powered handsets. How to download the iOS 26 public beta 1. Make an encrypted backup with Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows). 2. Enroll your Apple ID at beta.apple.com, then sign in from the iPhone you plan to update. 3. In Settings ➜ General ➜ Software Update, turn on “Beta Updates” and select iOS 26 Public Beta. 4. Tap “Download and Install,” plug in, and wait; the update weighs about 6 GB. If you already installed the iOS 26 developer beta, simply toggle to the Public Beta channel to receive the typically more stable build. Known issues & risk factors • Some banking and ride-share apps crash on launch. • CarPlay may freeze when switching playlists. • Battery life during the first 24–48 hours is noticeably shorter as Spotlight and Photos re-index. • You cannot restore to iOS 25 without wiping the device, so keep that backup handy. Beta software is unfinished—install on a secondary iPhone if possible. Downgrading back to iOS 25 Should you encounter show-stopping bugs, place the iPhone in Recovery Mode, connect to a Mac/PC, and choose “Restore.” You’ll be forced onto the latest signed iOS 25 build, then you can restore your archived backup. Note: data created while on iOS 26 may not load on iOS 25 apps. Why try the iOS 26 beta now? Apple actively watches Feedback Assistant reports, so testing helps squash bugs before the September GM (gold master). Early adoption also readies your app library—developers are already shipping iOS 26-optimized versions that take advantage of interactive widgets and Game Mode. Bottom line The iOS 26 public beta delivers Apple’s most ambitious annual upgrade in years, blending fresh visuals with AI-driven intelligence and deeper satellite capabilities. If you have a spare iPhone or don’t mind occasional hiccups, enrolling today gives you two months of head-start features—and a chance to shape the final release that millions will download this fall.