Cupertino, California – Apple has officially launched the first public beta of iOS 26, making its next-generation mobile operating system available to a wider audience for testing. The release, announced on platforms like TechCrunch, introduces a significant visual overhaul with its "Liquid Glass" design and incorporates enhanced Apple Intelligence features. This public beta allows users to experience the new software ahead of its anticipated general release later this fall.
The centerpiece of iOS 26 is the "Liquid Glass" user interface, marking the most substantial visual transformation since iOS 7. This design aesthetic emphasizes transparency and light refraction, giving UI elements, buttons, and in-app navigation a more fluid, glass-like appearance. It is integrated across key applications such as Phone, Camera, Safari, and Music, as well as system elements like notifications and the Lock Screen.
During its developer beta phase, the "Liquid Glass" design received mixed feedback, particularly concerning legibility and usability due to excessive transparency. Apple has responded to this criticism by making iterative adjustments, with the public beta reflecting changes that aim to strike a balance between the new aesthetic and practical readability. Reports indicate that while some transparency was initially toned down, later beta versions, including the one forming the basis of the public release, have reintroduced more of the "liquid" effect.
Beyond the visual redesign, iOS 26 brings a suite of new functionalities. Apple Intelligence features are expanded, including the return of AI-powered Notification Summaries for news and improvements to Image Playground and Shortcuts. Core applications like Messages, Phone, and Safari have also received updates, alongside new additions such as a dedicated Apple Games app and enhanced CarPlay capabilities.
Users interested in trying the new operating system can enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program for free. While the public beta is generally more stable than developer betas, Apple advises caution, recommending users back up their devices and be aware of potential bugs or performance issues. The company continues to refine the software based on tester feedback.
This public beta release also aligns with Apple's new strategy of unifying its software platforms under a "26" version number to correspond with the calendar year. The move from iOS 18 directly to iOS 26 signifies a major leap forward, with the final stable version expected to launch alongside the new iPhone series later this year.