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Apple Releases Third iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Public Betas, New Developer Beta

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Apple today released the third public betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, allowing the public to test the updates ahead of their September launch. The third public betas come a week after the second public betas. Apple has also released an updated version of the sixth ‌iOS 26‌ developer beta with a new build number.

iOS 26 Feature
Beta testers that have registered on Apple's website can download the ‌iOS 26‌ and ‌iPadOS 26‌ updates by opening the Settings app, going to the General section, tapping on Software Update, and choosing the ‌iOS 26‌ or ‌iPadOS 26‌ Public Beta options.

‌iOS 26‌ and ‌iPadOS 26‌ feature Apple's Liquid Glass design, with a visual aesthetic that focuses on transparency. Icons, menu buttons, navigation bars, and more reflect and refract light with subtle animations. There are pop-out menus in some areas, tab bars shrink down, and everything has a more rounded look.

iOS 26 on Three iPhones
There are new Apple Intelligence features like Visual Intelligence for screenshots, updated order tracking in the Wallet app, new features in Reminders, and Live Translation for the Messages, Phone, and FaceTime apps. Image Playground has ChatGPT style options, and Genmoji supports mixing two or more emoji characters to make something new.

ten messages features
2D photos have a more 3D look with a Spatial Scene feature, and Safari has updated navigation. In the Phone app, there are new Call Screening and Hold Assist features that will save you time, while the Messages app supports customizable backgrounds and polls. Apple Music has a DJ-like AutoMix feature, CarPlay has an overhauled interface, there's a new Apple Games app, and Preview has come to the iPhone for the first time.

ios 26 call holding
For more on all of the new features in the updates, we have a dedicated iOS 26 roundup and a separate iPadOS 26 roundup. ‌iOS 26‌ and ‌iPadOS 26‌ will launch in September.

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Top Rated Comments

Devyn89 Avatar
Devyn89
11 months ago

What's the battery life like on this release? ;)

I wonder if the new Apple Watch blood oxygen fix is included in this release.
Battery life quadrupled for me and my phone no longer ever needs to be charged 😜
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
socialwill
11 months ago
Maybe I am in the minority, but the new camera app selection slider is a PIA. It is harder to use, and has nothing to do with Liquid Glass. It is just the new way Apple thinks this is better, but it is harder to choose something without going the wrong way or completely bypassing what you want. Hopefully this is better in Beta 3.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
LightProtector
11 months ago

... what a weird flex. Whom are you showing off for, exactly, with your superior app loading animation speed?
Know where performance matters to average users? Rendering time for websites in safari, or editing tasks in Photos. Actual quality of life stuff, which is where the iPhone has always shone.
Only an android user grasping at straws would fixate on something like app loading animation speed for bragging rights.
…for myself. I can do stuff faster on the phone because I’m less limited by animation. Phone feels faster and more powerful for me, not to brag to others 😂
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
LightProtector
11 months ago

Doesn’t feel as smooth or faster than the previous one. Seems to have slowed down the animations again.
That’s unfortunate, I really liked the faster animations. iPhones are insanely powerful and the animations helped convey how fast it is.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Parowdy Avatar
Parowdy
11 months ago

Why won't the Contacts app allow me to move addresses of a given contact up or down? That's something that should be added. When I add a new address to a contact, I should be able to move it up to the top, or in second place, or wherever I want it. Would be nice to see that added to the Contacts app in iOS 26.
Just like you can’t rearrange calendars in Calendar.
There are still so many places for improvement but no, Liquid Glass.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Parowdy Avatar
Parowdy
11 months ago

... what a weird flex. Whom are you showing off for, exactly, with your superior app loading animation speed?
Know where performance matters to average users? Rendering time for websites in safari, or editing tasks in Photos. Actual quality of life stuff, which is where the iPhone has always shone.
Only an android user grasping at straws would fixate on something like app loading animation speed for bragging rights.
Curb your attitude.
The faster opening AND CLOSING were very welcome QOL improvements while they lastet.
iOS only „shines“ for those you don’t care to look further.
You still have to process a video you want to share on WhatsApp or the like, something that sometimes feels like it takes as long as the video itself is.
iOS isn’t as polished as people like you want to think.
Want some proof? Scroll in photos and open the app switcher. It’s a stutter fest and it has been for years.

Stop hating on people that simply like their iPhone feeling more snappy in 2025 than in 2015.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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