iOS 26 Beta 2 Now Available: Check Out the Major Updates

Apple has released the second developer beta of iOS 26, introducing several user interface tweaks and enhanced features for supported iPhones.

This update follows the system’s first reveal at WWDC 2025 and marks the initial evolution of the operating system before its general release.

The latest beta emphasizes Apple’s Liquid Glass visual system, which was introduced as a hallmark design change in iOS 26, and expands functionality in several apps, including Music, Safari, and Messages.

In Developer Beta 2, the Control Centre gains a more defined blur backdrop, improving visual separation for toggle buttons. The transparency effect across the system now appears softer when the “Reduce Transparency” accessibility setting is activated. These modifications align the UI more closely with the new Liquid Glass aesthetic, which underpins the OS’s visual framework.

Beta testers will notice two new Apple Music widgets. A dedicated Live Radio widget is now available, and a redesigned Lock Screen widget enables quicker access to search within the Music app.

The update reintroduces the default wallpaper library along with parallax effects, and adds a new ringtone titled “Alt 1” under the “Reflection” tone section. These enhancements further push Apple’s aim to provide deeper personalisation options to users.

Key Apple apps have received functionality improvements:

• Messages: Conversations from unknown numbers now display a blue badge, replacing the earlier red badge format.

• Safari: The button to open new tabs has shifted to the bottom-left corner for better thumb reach.

• App Store: Listings now include a dedicated Accessibility section to highlight support features in individual apps.

• Wallet: The promised order tracking function from WWDC is now active, offering live delivery updates based on email confirmations.

Beyond visual changes, iOS 26 integrates Apple Intelligence tools, including real-time language translation across system apps, adaptive content recommendations, and context-driven smart actions. Genmoji and Image Playground—Apple’s generative media tools—have also been expanded.

System apps such as Phone and Messages have been rebuilt. The Phone app now merges recents, voicemail, and favourites into a single interface while introducing tools like Call Screening. Messages adds group typing indicators, message polling, and in-thread Apple Cash transactions.

Apple has also launched a new Apple Games app that acts as a centralized location for gameplay history, title discovery, and Apple Arcade integration.

Device Compatibility

iOS 26 is supported on iPhone 11 and newer models. However, to access Apple Intelligence capabilities, users must have an iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, or any model in the iPhone 16 series.

Supported Devices Include:

• iPhone 16 Series (16 Pro Max, 16 Pro, 16 Plus, 16, 16e)

• iPhone 15 Series (15 Pro Max, 15 Pro, 15 Plus, 15)

• iPhone 14 Series (14 Pro Max, 14 Pro, 14 Plus, 14)

• iPhone 13 Series (13 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 13, 13 mini)

• iPhone 12 Series (12 Pro Max, 12 Pro, 12, 12 mini)

• iPhone 11 Series (11 Pro Max, 11 Pro, 11)

The public beta is scheduled to arrive in July, with the stable version of iOS 26 expected to roll out later this year, likely timed with the debut of the iPhone 17 lineup.