Apple has been busy prepping iOS 26 for its probably debut in September. Till then, the iPhone’s upcoming new OS has been accessible for anyone to try by way of a developer beta (now as much as model 5) and the preliminary public beta. Although iOS 26 nonetheless has at the very least a month of tweaks earlier than it is finalized, the beta flavors already present a peek at what to anticipate.
You possibly can obtain iOS 26 beta in your iPhone now. Here’s how to install it — and which models support it.
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I have been operating the general public beta since its launch on July 24. Among the many new and improved options in iOS 26, these are my 5 favorites to date.
1. Liquid Glass
Including a brand new translucent design to the interface, Liquid Glass gives the look that you are looking at your display screen components by means of glass. With this new aesthetic enabled, icons seem extra three-dimensional and layered, whereas menus are semi-transparent. I’ve learn some unfavourable feedback about Liquid Glass, however I like the brand new design.
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I really feel the interface attracts me in and engages with me in an inventive however sensible means. Evaluating my check iPhone with iOS 26 and my present cellphone with iOS 18, I can clearly see and recognize the variations with Liquid Glass.
2. Digital camera app
For iOS 26, Apple tweaked the digicam app that can assist you extra rapidly and simply entry sure controls and settings. By default, the app reveals you the 2 commonest modes — picture and video. To segue to different modes akin to portrait, pano, slow-mo, and time-lapse, swipe your finger left or proper or press down on the management to maneuver from one mode to a different.
Even higher, the important thing settings at the moment are extra simply accessible and configurable. To show settings akin to flash, publicity, filter, and timer, you’ll be able to nonetheless swipe up from the underside as all the time, or just faucet the button with the identify of the mode. Up pops a Liquid Glass menu with icons for all of the settings. Faucet a selected icon to regulate it. Relying in your present mode, controls additionally seem on the prime so that you can view and alter.
3. Images app
With iOS 18, Apple altered the format within the Images app to show each your library and collections on the identical display screen. Although that will sound handy, it upset many iPhone customers who now must swipe up and down to change between the 2 views. With iOS 26, Apple has rectified that error.
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Open the Images app within the new OS and you will see two icons on the backside — one to your Library and one other to your Collections. By default, the app opens in Library view so you’ll be able to simply scroll by means of all of your images or view them by yr or month.
Faucet the Collections icon and you will then see your images organized by recollections, albums, folks, and different standards. You can too reorder the completely different collections to position your favourite ones on the prime of the display screen.
4. Display screen your calls
That will help you higher fight rip-off and spam calls, iOS 26 provides a useful new choice to the Telephone app. Now you can display screen a name from an unknown quantity by asking the caller for sure data. Earlier than you select whether or not to choose up the decision, the individual on the opposite finish is requested why they’re calling. That data then flashes on the display screen that can assist you determine the best way to deal with the decision.
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To allow this, head to Settings, choose Apps, after which faucet the Telephone app. Swipe to the part for Display screen Unknown Callers and faucet the choice for “Ask Motive for Calling.” The following time you obtain a name from a stranger, the individual can be prompted to elucidate why they’re calling. You possibly can then reply or ignore the decision.
5. Set your default apps
Apple hasn’t made it straightforward to vary your default apps. Previously, you needed to drill down to every app that you simply wished to vary or set. Now with iOS 26, you’ll be able to select all of your default apps in a single place. For this, go to Settings, choose Apps, after which faucet Default Apps. From right here, you are capable of modify the defaults for e mail, messaging, calling, name filtering, browser, translator, passwords, contactless funds, and keyboard.
