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iOS 26 Public Beta Appears Imminent Based on This Latest Hint

An anonymous leaker with a proven track record today shared alleged build numbers for the fourth developer betas of iOS 26 and more.

iOS 26 Feature
The private account on X has accurately leaked build numbers for Apple software updates in the past. We do not link to the account at the owner's request.

Here are all of the build numbers shared by the account today:

  • iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beta 4 (23A5297i)
  • macOS 26 beta 4 (25A5316i)
  • tvOS 26 and HomePod Software 26 beta 4 (23J5316g)
  • watchOS 26 beta 4 (23R5317g)
  • visionOS 26 beta 4 (23M5300g)

The account often shares build numbers for betas around one day before they are released, so it is likely that the fourth developer betas of the updates listed above will be released this Tuesday, July 22. Then, the first public betas of the updates will likely follow by Wednesday, July 23, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. However, there will not be a visionOS 26 public beta, according to Apple's beta website.

Apple accidentally made the macOS 26 public beta available to some users for a brief period earlier today, and the build number for it was the same as the one listed above for the fourth developer beta of macOS 26. In other words, the first public betas will likely correspond with the fourth developer betas, as expected.

Apple previously announced that the public betas would be available in July, but it did not provide a more specific timeframe.

Apple is also planning to offer a public beta of its next major AirPods firmware update.

Anyone can sign up to be a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, for free, and gain access to the public betas when they are available. As always, we recommend backing up your devices before installing beta software, in case of issues.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
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Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
12 months ago
I mean, yeah, we all know it's imminent. Without any hints.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IceCool Avatar
12 months ago

Is this a serious post? It’s been widely known to be the worst series of betas in the history of iOS. Serious lag and glitchiness makes me so thankful I only installed it on my 15PM and not my main phone.
Absolutely not true.

This is the most stable beta since iOS 14 and it’s not even close. For the first time in years, features actually work - and they have from the first beta.

Complaining about lag and some glitches is what seems unserious as it’s an expected early beta issue.

iOS 11, iOS, 13, iOS 16 are probably the top 3 actual worst “series of betas”, with iOS 11 and iOS 13 having plenty of remaining issues at release and iOS 16’s feature set being almost unusable in the first several betas due to bugs. 🤣
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kirkster Avatar
12 months ago
Been running the Beta 3 for a week now, still a little buggy, but pretty solid overall, the multi windows takes a little bit to get used to. Overall I like the Liquid Glass theme.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
12 months ago
Will be interesting what they have done to liquid glass this time around. If it's still the same as on beta 3, Apple should probably update it's marketing material about iOS 26 soon
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
serzhs1 Avatar
12 months ago
I predict that the iPhone 17 will be released in September 🤭😂🤣
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fullauto Avatar
12 months ago
Please have a slider for Liquid Glass shading, to make everyone happy, and not piss off 50% of the user base.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)