iOS 26 Public Beta
iOS 26 Public Beta (July 2025): A Deep Dive into the Liquid Glass Revolution
1. What Is iOS 26 and Why It’s a Big Deal
iOS 26, announced at WWDC June 9, 2025, marks Apple’s most sweeping redesign since iOS 7. Key highlights:
- Introduces Liquid Glass, a unified design across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision OS India Today+15BGR+15TechRadar+15NextPit+4AppleInsider+4Tech Times+4Tom’s Guide+1Tom’s Guide+1
- Consolidates OS versioning (skipping iOS 19 to match macOS/tvOS/watchOS 26) AppleInsider+1Tech Times+1
- Revamps Home/Lock Screens, Photos, Camera, Control Center, Safari, and core app interfaces BGR+2Tech Times+2Indiatimes+2
The public beta brings this ambitious UI rework to everyday users just ahead of the official fall release.
2. Public Beta Timeline and Eligibility
- Developer beta started June 9
- Public beta launch expected ~ July 23, 2025 Reddit+15India Today+15Reddit+15Reddit
- Final release set for mid-September alongside iPhone 17
- Compatible with iPhone 11+, SE 2, SE 1, dropping support for XR, XS, XS Max MacRumors+10NextPit+10Indiatimes+10
3. Installing iOS 26 Public Beta
- 🛠 Backup your iPhone via iCloud or Finder
- Visit beta.apple.com, enroll in Beta Software Program
- Download the iOS 26 beta profile
- Go to Settings → General → Software Update → iOS 26 Public Beta
- Tap “Download & Install” and wait for the process
- Reboot and explore the new features—with caution
Note: Use a secondary device if possible to avoid disrupting your daily workflow with early-stage bugs.
4. Liquid Glass UI: What’s New?
✨ Design Highlights
- Translucent, blurred “liquid glass” overlay on Home/Lock screens and Control Center IndiatimesGeeky Gadgets+15Tech Times+15YouTube+15TechRadar+2Tom’s Guide+2TechRadar+2
- Dynamic clock resize adapting to wallpaper content Tom’s Guide+3MacRumors+3Tom’s Guide+3
- Apple Music gets full-screen animated album art on the Lock Screen AppleInsider+1Tech Times+1
- Safari’s tab bar, Photos, Maps, and other apps now include frosted-glass effects 9to5Mac
✅ Improvements Across Betas
- Beta 1 introduced full Liquid Glass
- Beta 2 strengthened Control Center contrast Geeky Gadgets+129to5Mac+12BGR+12
- Beta 3 muted transparency (“Frosted Glass”) BGR
- Beta 4 restored balanced translucency and readability Tom’s Guide+19to5Mac+1
5. Core Feature Updates
📸 Refreshed Camera & Photos
- Simplified Camera interface: swipe‑to‑change moved with the selector Geeky Gadgets
- Cleaner Photos app UI, addressing prior redesign backlash TechHounder+15Tech Times+15AppleInsider+15
☎️ Call & Notification Enhancements
- Screen Unknown Callers added granular options: ask reason, send unknown to voicemail, or allow all Cinco Días+3MacRumors+3Macgasm+3
- AI-powered Notification Summaries return in beta 4 with disclaimers and opt-in controls 9to5Mac+11MacRumors+11Macgasm+11
🖼 Personalization & Wallpapers
- Dynamic home wallpapers that shift color through the day Cinco Días+4AppleInsider+4MacRumors+4
- CarPlay gains new background options matching the Liquid Glass aesthetic YouTube+15MacRumors+15Macgasm+15
🔐 Minor Tweaks & Fixes
- Revamped Camera app icon
- High contrast accessibility for borders
- UI enhancements in Settings, Passcode, Mail, Passwords, Weather, Sounds BGR+15MacRumors+15Macgasm+159to5Mac
6. Other Next‑Gen Features
- Integrated Apple Intelligence enhancements: smart summaries, text/call translation, call-hold assistance The Verge+5Apple+5Indiatimes+5
- New Apple Games app to centralize casual gaming MacRumors+4Apple+4Indiatimes+4
- Overhauled Safari, Maps, Wallet, and Apple Music Macgasm+2Apple+29to5Mac+2
- Support for new emojis in later iOS 26 updates Tech Times+15Macgasm+159to5Mac+15
7. Pros & Cons of Public Beta
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| Try hot-off-the-press features | Instability & possible bugs |
| Provide feedback that shapes iOS final | Some apps or functions may be broken |
| Customize your phone’s new look early | Potential battery drain in early betas |
8. Should You Join the iOS 26 Public Beta?
- ✅ Tech enthusiasts: Explore cutting-edge redesign rules
- ✅ Developers/testers: Validate apps ahead of launch
- ❌ Everyday users: Wait for GM release for stability
If you’re keen on visual overhaul and AI features—and have a spare device—this beta is worth exploring early. Otherwise, holding out for September might be best.
9. Installation Tips for Smooth Beta Experience
- Always backup your device before updating
- Use Secondary devices if possible
- Test new features and report issues via Feedback app
- Adjust Reduce Transparency setting if UI readability is an issue Geeky Gadgets+3AppleInsider+3Indiatimes+3New York Post9to5Mac+8BGR+8Geeky Gadgets+8Tech TimesTechRadar+1Indiatimes+1Tom’s Guide
- Reset to iOS 25 if severe bugs arise
10. Looking Ahead to Launch
- Expect further refinements with upcoming betas
- Public beta spanning through summer improves stability
- Full iOS 26 release scheduled for September, likely alongside iPhone 17 BGR+15TechRadar+15The Sun+15
⚡ FAQ
Q1: When is the iOS 26 public beta available?
Public beta launched around July 23, 2025 AppleInsider+2Tom’s Guide+2BGR+2
Q2: Which devices are supported?
Compatible: iPhone 11 and newer, plus SE (1,2)
Not supported: XR, XS, XS Max IndiatimesThe Sun+12NextPit+12Indiatimes+12
Q3: Can I disable Liquid Glass?
Text contrast options like Reduce Transparency can improve readability Reddit+7Tom’s Guide+79to5Mac+7
Q4: What is Apple Intelligence?
A suite including AI call assist, summarization, translation, and context-aware suggestions The Sun+1Indiatimes+1
About the Author
