Apple has been busy prepping iOS 26 for its possible 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 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 thus far.
1. Liquid Glass
Including a brand new translucent design to the interface, Liquid Glass gives the look that you are looking at your display parts via glass. With this new aesthetic enabled, icons seem extra three-dimensional and layered, whereas menus are semi-transparent. I’ve learn some unfavorable 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 a creative however sensible method. Evaluating my check iPhone with iOS 26 and my present telephone with iOS 18, I can clearly see and recognize the variations with Liquid Glass.
2. Digital camera app
For iOS 26, Apple tweaked the digital camera app that will help you extra rapidly and simply entry sure controls and settings. By default, the app reveals you the 2 most typical modes — picture and video. To segue to different modes comparable 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 are actually extra simply accessible and configurable. To show settings comparable to flash, publicity, filter, and timer, you’ll be able to nonetheless swipe up from the underside as at all times, or just faucet the button with the title 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 structure within the Images app to show each your library and collections on the identical display. Although which will sound handy, it upset many iPhone customers who now should swipe up and down to modify 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 may see two icons on the backside — one on your Library and one other on your Collections. By default, the app opens in Library view so you’ll be able to simply scroll via all of your photographs or view them by 12 months or month.
Faucet the Collections icon and you may then see your photographs organized by reminiscences, albums, individuals, and different standards. You can too reorder the totally different collections to position your favourite ones on the prime of the display.
4. Display your calls
That can assist you higher fight rip-off and spam calls, iOS 26 provides a useful new choice to the Telephone app. Now you can display a name from an unknown quantity by asking the caller for sure info. Earlier than you select whether or not to choose up the decision, the particular person on the opposite finish is requested why they’re calling. That info then flashes on the display that will help you resolve the 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 Unknown Callers and faucet the choice for “Ask Purpose for Calling.” The subsequent time you obtain a name from a stranger, the particular person might 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 just 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 in a position to modify the defaults for e mail, messaging, calling, name filtering, browser, translator, passwords, contactless funds, and keyboard.