Hidden iOS 26.2 Beta Tweaks: Apple Adds Secrets Inside Your iPhone

Just a few days after the public rollout of iOS 26.1, Apple is already taking the first step towards the new iOS 26.2 beta for developers by bringing the beta to select iPhone models. The update includes new personalization options, app enhancements, and even the slightest anticipation of AirDrop features that are yet to come.

The new beta version offers a control slider for customizing the Lock Screen which goes further than the “Liquid Glass” that came with iOS 26.1. The clock widget's opacity can already be modified by a new slider. In “Glass” mode, the user can either opt for a clear or frosted look, while “Solid” mode cancels the glass effect completely.

With iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2, Apple is going to change its method of sleep scoring. The Sleep Score function has been reassessed, and along with it, the scoring bands norms are:

Very Low: 0-40 (formerly 0-29)

Low: 41-60 (formerly 30-49)

OK: 61-80 (formerly 50-69)

High: 81-95 (formerly 70-89)

Very High: 96-100 (formerly 90-100)

These scores display on Apple Watch devices that have the watchOS 26.2 beta installed and are via an automatic process synced with the Health app on iPhone.

The Reminders app gets a nifty but small modification. Alarms can now be set by the users that go off whenever a reminder is due. The new “Urgent” toggle that is being turned on triggers a Lock Screen notification with the options of Snooze and Slide to Stop. A timer for the snoozed reminder shows brief buttons to finish or postpone the reminder.

Auto-generated chapters that enhance the listening experience through quick navigation are now offered by the Podcasts app. The introduction of "in-episode mentions" by Apple allows instant transfer to other podcasts quoted in the course of playback. Now, listeners can also click on links from episode transcripts or the playback screen to access the external sources.

Various native applications have had their functionalities improved at lower levels:

Passwords introduces a section for managing the sites that are excluded from the auto-saving function.

Freeform brings in the feature of using tables in the app.

Apple News receives new shortcuts for different sections such as Sports, Politics, Business, and Food.

A new “Flash for Alerts” option in Accessibility flashes the screen for incoming alerts.

Under Notifications, users will see a new Enhanced Safety Alerts section that includes information about earthquakes, threats, and emergency notices.

Code references discovered by developers indicate that iOS 26.2 may soon introduce a feature enabling AirDrop PIN sharing. The new option could allow two individuals to share a short code that keeps AirDrop active between them for up to 30 days, which is significantly longer than the current 10-minute limit for contacts.

With this beta, AirPods Live Translation becomes available to users in the EU, after being limited to certain regions only. The feature provides real-time translation in supported languages through compatible AirPods models.

Supported iPhones

The iOS 26.2 developer beta can be installed on:

iPhone 17 series (17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17 Air),

iPhone 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, and 11,

and iPhone SE (2nd generation and newer).

How to install the beta

The developer can receive the update by logging in to the Apple Developer portal, registering their device under Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates, and choosing iOS 26 Developer Beta. After iOS 26.2 is displayed, it can be downloaded and installed directly.