The first public beta versions of iOS 26, iPados 26, MacOS Tahoe and Watchos 26 are now available. And if you are an avid enthusiast of all things, Apple – which is likely, considering the name of the site you are currently reading – then I imagine that you have been tempted to download one or more of them and give them a vortex to see what all that excited is about.
I’m here to ask you not to do it.
If you are a developer, it makes perfect sense to try the developer betas. You need kind of because you need time to update your apps to work with the new software frame before it officially rolls out: It’s not good to run iOS 26.0 for the first time on the launch day in September and suddenly realize it is killing your game. But for everyone else, the disadvantages strongly outweigh the benefits, and I would go so far as to say that most people have to stay away from installing them. Here’s why.
They are difficult to uninstall
In the world of technology, curiosity is almost always a good thing. Fearless experimentation is how to expand your knowledge and adapt to the latest developments. The most important thing, when one care for this spirit of curiosity in beginners, explains that there are no negative consequences for a slight tinker: that changes can be undone, settings returned and rescue regained.
But installing a software beta, like upgrading Apple operating systems in general, does not come under this category of consequence-free exploration. A few years ago, Apple made the download and installation of beta much easier (we explain the process in this tutorial); Uninstalling it is much more pain. Removing iOS 26 beta, for example, requires you to completely dry your iPhone, reinstall iOS 18 and lose what you may have done while using the beta.
So don’t make the decision lightly. Installing a beta is not a one -way ticket, but let’s just say it’s much easier to check on hotelpublic beta than to check out.
Foundry
They are not done yet
There is something appealing about trying a new tech product before anyone else-as you are a celebrity or influencer that gets exclusive access behind the scenes. But that’s not what happens when you install a public beta. You don’t really get MacOS Tahoe (or whatever), but an unfinished piece of software of the same name that Apple does not yet consider to be ready for release.
In some respects, public betas are unfinished because Apple simply hasn’t come around to add scheduled features yet (and wouldn’t you rather wait for them to be added?). But other elements will change organically between WWDC and the launch day in response to tester -Feedback. Complaints about liquid glass visual effects have resulted in them being fine -tuned and toned down; Apple has also been praised for improving performance and stability. There will be many such improvements as the beta process continues and to seize the public beta now means you get a version that does not benefit from them.
They can cause serious problems
What is the meaning of beta testing? To find bugs. A process that benefits apple but can cause serious problems for the people who find them.
Beta software has been known to cause any number of headaches, from small errors that hit a single app or screen to system-covering problems with overheating, battery performance, backups, connection and screen freezer. In some cases, Betas has completely walled the devices they run on. Of course, these things have happened on officially released software, but far less often – because these products have been through a full beta test process.
We always advise potential beta testers to run the pre-release software on a reserve or older device so that driving into a serious error does not leave them unable to use their primary. But a better solution would not be to run beta at all.
They are not the flex you think they are
Full (and a little embarrassing) passing: I like it when people notice a brand new tech device I undergo. Oh, is that the new iPad Pro? Why yes, yes it is. Yes, I’m a very cool person. How kind you need to notice.
If you are looking for the same experience from running a public beta, I am here to tell you that it does not give the same effect. On the one hand, it is not obvious enough; It only changes the interface of your iPhone rather than its physical exterior. You must actively point out that you are running the beta that is destroying the effect.
No man’s sky is now a much more fun game thanks to patches.
Hi Play
You spoil the surprise!
When Space Exploration Game No Man’s Sky came out in 2016, the players rushed to get on board, seduced by wildly ambitious claims and the idea of what it could be. Reality, at least at the launch, was very different: Planned features were delayed or abandoned, scope was reduced, and it all managed to live up to what was hinted by trailers. The original reviews were bad, user figures fell off and it seemed like a failure.
But the producers did not give up the game, and the following months and years saw several updates. Problems were added, features were added and these days it is considered a success.
With advantage of afterwards, how would you choose to play that game? By jumping in at the launch, being massively disappointed and then either sticking to a substandard experience until it got better or giving up? Or wait until it was ready and enjoy the game in its full glory, surprised and dazzled by the new experiences every time you land on a new planet?
Apple’s public betas may have come out, but they are not the finished article. No lots of features have been added, they do not work optimally and there will be bugs everywhere. Why would you choose to spoil the surprise now? Just wait and enjoy the full experience in September, barely two months away.