Apple revealed iOS 26 (not iOS 19) on WWDC 2025 and it will (probably) arrive at iPhones in September 2025. But Apple’s Beta program is here now so you can try the new software features of developer Beta if you feel brave. Although you might first have to read about why we advise against installing the iOS beta.
A little later, those who are enrolled in the (typically more stable) public beta will be able to start testing the new version of the iPhone operating system. This arrives prior to its full launch, which is expected in September with the iPhone 17 series.
If you want to join the beta, or already signed up and just want to know when the first developer Beta in iOS 26 will be available, or the first public beta in iOS 26, read on.
Updated June 13: Apple updated Beta 1 for developers on June 13, although the version number has only changed the last letter (from 23A5260n to 23A5260U). This is still “beta 1” and there are probably no new features, just a critical error or security error.
iOS 26 Beta Release Date: Developer Beta
- June 9, 2025
- Updated June 13, 2025
As expected, Apple opened its worldwide developer conference with a keynote speaker in which it revealed the new features that came in iOS 26 (part of a new unifying annual name system along with similar in iPados 26 and MacOS 26).
Developer Beta became available to those registered for the program on June 9. The first update came on June 13th.
iOS 26 BETA: What’s in the latest beta
The first beta release of iOS 26 on June 9 had everything Apple demonstrated in its WWDC keynote: Liquid Glass, the new phone app and features, the new camera and photo experience and more.
On June 13, Apple Beta 1 updated for developers. The version number has only changed the last letter (from 23A5260n to 23A5260U). This is still “beta 1” and there are probably no new features, just a critical error or security error.
Karen Kahn / Foundry
iOS 26 Beta Release Date: Public Beta
The public beta usually comes a month later, around the beginning of July. By 2024, the first public beta of iOS arrived 18 on July 15, while the first public beta in iOS 17 arrived on July 12. We expect the public beta to arrive in the week beginning July 14.
iOS BETA: Develops vs. public beta
Apple always runs an iOS-Beta test program during the summer months to produce a more polished release for the autumn launch and give developers a chance to test and update their apps. There is also a public beta aimed at a wider audience who is just interested in testing new features.
Each phase of iOS’s development cycle is rolled out first to developers and then to public beta testers afterwards. If you are a developer and need to test your apps against the most up -to -date version of iOS, this is the version to run.
The developer version of a beta usually comes a few days before the equivalent public beta version (with more than a month between the original developer and public betas). Due to this delay, the public beta is probably more stable than the developer’s beta.
That is not to say that it is risk -free to run the public beta. Even the public beta has the potential to mason your iPhone, so we recommend that you do not use your most important iPhone and that you also back up the phone before running any updates!
How to get iOS developer Beta
Anyone with an Apple developer account can access the developer Beta. It is not necessary to be a paid member of the Apple Developer program, you can create a free Apple developer account using your Apple ID.
You can use the Xcode app, Apple Developer app on iOS or on the Apple Web site to get your free Apple developer account. We think the use of the Apple Developer app is the simplest way – just log in with your Apple ID. We explain how to get a free Apple developer account in how to become an Apple Beta tester.
If you want to sell applications to the App Store and sell them, you must pay $ 99/£ 79 per Years for a developer account. Sign up for the Apple Developer program (here) or via Apple’s Developer app. You can register as an individual or a company. You need to add different bites of information and accept the program license agreement and then enter your payment information (it is an annual subscription that you can end up to a day before it is renewed). It may take a few days to verify you and make the account live. You can compare the free and paid accounts here.
All set with your Apple Developer account? Okay! Now to install beta …
To install the iOS developer Beta
- Back up your iPhone (because this is a beta you test!)
- Open the Settings app.
- Press General.
- Press Software update.
- IN Beta updates Section, Select iOS developer beta.
- Now wait a while while the beta is installed.
Foundry
Developers can choose to get public beta instead by selecting iOS Public Beta on screen Software Update.
Before iOS 16.4, it was necessary to download and enable a beta profile on your device. From iOS 16.4 onwards, Apple just checks to see if your Apple ID is a registered developer and provides access from the Software Update menu. It may be necessary to restart your iPhone for the possibility of displaying.
How to get iOS public beta
If you are not a developer but are eager to try the new features, we recommend waiting for the public beta – the first developer beta releases tend to be quite buggy and unreliable. Just be careful that any beta, public or developer is likely to be buggy and cause problems with your iPhone, so our advice is not to run it on a secondary iPhone or have some backup plan in place.
Beta testers will continue to receive beta updates even after the final version will be launched. If you do not want to continue to get the beta or have a problem with beta, read: how to remove iOS beta.
Developer Beta is, as the name suggests, only intended for developers, but Apple offers a beta test program to the public who would like to try new features and find errors. As of iOS 16.4, you no longer have to download and activate a profile to get beta. Simply sign up and select Beta from the Software Update section in Settings.
To install iOS public beta
You can install iOS public beta using the following instructions.
- Click on Sign up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
- Sign in to the Beta Software program.
- Click Sign up for your iOS device.
- Open Settings App, press Generalso Software update.
- In the Beta Updates section, select iOS public beta.
Foundry
To uninstall the beta and stop receiving beta updates, read this: To remove an iOS beta from your iPhone.
The beta contains a feedback app that you can use to submit abdominal reports and broken features. Use it! It’s the best way for Apple to become well -documented, reproducible abdominal reports directly to developers along with things like telemetry and screens that make it easy for them to find out what’s wrong. Using the feedback app every time you encounter a problem is the best way to make sure the final release of iOS 26 is a smooth upgrade for everyone.
Risks and precautions for iOS -beta
First and foremost, note that betas are test versions of upcoming software. They are per. Definition unfinished, and while they must include most or all the functions of the finished product, there will be cosmetic differences and inevitably some errors and problems to be corrected. Glitches and problems are the reason why Apple is bothering for beta-test iOS in the first place.
In other words, don’t expect a perfect user experience. Especially don’t expect existing apps (including those you can trust) to work perfectly with the new version. In extreme cases, you may even find that your device is walled by the beta and cannot be used until the next beta comes along and hopefully solves the problem. It is not uncommon for the early beta software to also exhibit excessive battery drain.
The closer we get to the last launch, the more polished and the functioning of the function is betas. The counter to it, of course, is that there will be less time left to wait for the official launch so you don’t get much by installing a beta.
If we assume that you decide to move on, we cannot emphasize enough how important it is to back up your iPhone before installing an iOS beta, or even better, use a secondary device rather than your most important iPhone. You don’t lose everything if something goes wrong while the beta is installing and you will be able to return to the last version if, after all, you do not like the new software or that it is too buggy.