Apple seeds the first public betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iOS edited July 24

Apple has finally brought out the first public beta builds of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26.

Operating systems listed vertically: iOS, watchOS, tvOS, macOS, visionOS, iPadOS, each followed by the number 26, with a pastel gradient background.
Apple's upcoming releases will be version 26.



While Apple introduces its upcoming operating system releases during WWDC, it only brings out initial test builds for use by developers. Those builds, often with bugs and things that need improvement, are often considered too unsafe for members of the public to try out.

The public beta, on the other hand, is for versions of the operating systems that Apple considers has been tested enough to be usable by the public. While there is always a risk of data loss and issues cropping up, it's significantly less than using the developer betas.

Potential participants can sign up to take part via the official Apple Beta website, using their existing Apple Account.

This is the first public beta round for the 26-generation operating systems, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, and tvOS 26.

Apple has also shared public beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 for testing, at the same time.

As for the content of the public betas, they tend to be mostly on par with the developer versions, or one or two build cycles behind.

AppleInsider and Apple strongly advise against users installing test operating systems or beta software onto primary or "mission-critical" hardware. The higher likelihood of major issues in these early beta releases can potentially result in the loss of data.

Ideally, beta participants should use secondary or non-essential hardware and ensure they have sufficient backups of their critical data at all times.

Find any changes in the new builds? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at andrew@AppleInsider.com.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 4
    kkqd1337kkqd1337 Posts: 518member
    I have been using the iOS beta since Dev1 on my production device. no real issues.

    But one problem I always experience with iOS betas is overheating and worsened battery life.
    appleinsideruser
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 4
    Anilu_777anilu_777 Posts: 612member
    kkqd1337 said:
    I have been using the iOS beta since Dev1 on my production device. no real issues.

    But one problem I always experience with iOS betas is overheating and worsened battery life.
    As with all betas, report, report, report using the feedback app
    Alex1N
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 4
    anthogaganthogag Posts: 132member
    I installed all 26 public betas. No significant issues. My Apple devices are newer. 
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 4
    davidlewis54davidlewis54 Posts: 148member
    I have installed iPad OS26 on an iPad and an iPad Pro it has been very good, with no problems at all.  Next up Tahoe, AirPods, TV, Watch and last, iPhone. 

    Sometimes later betas are less reliable than early ones. 
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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