These iPhone Models Can Install Apple’s iOS 26.1 Beta 3 Now
Discover which iPhones can download iOS 26.1 Beta 3. Eligible models include iPhone 11 series up to iPhone 17, plus iPhone SE 2nd gen and later.
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Apple has unveiled the third beta version of the iOS 26.1 update for its selected iPhone models, which is one of the notable changes in Apple's software ecosystem. The beta version according to 9to5Mac features a new app icon for the Apple TV that is designed to completely rejuvenate the company's streaming service, now rebranded from Apple TV+ to simply Apple TV, using fewer words.
The iPhone operating system update also comes with a new feature called Local Capture, which is for audio recording using external mics only, and it enables users to choose the storage location for their recorded voice files, as well as recording only the audio file. Besides, iOS 26.1 beta 3 is a signal of the hoopla surrounding Apple Intelligence, with whisperings that third-party AI models may soon set up shop alongside OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
The new beta version swaps out a super-simple gray Apple TV name for a much more funky, bright-colored new logo, which is in line with Apple’s new visual branding on the market. Apple had made this change known when it was issuing a press release for F1: The Movie, where it said that the platform now has a “vibrant new identity.”
Earlier, beta releases had already brought about the availability of features to control the amount of gain for the microphone. iOS 26.1 beta 3 goes one step further by enabling the user to select the Local Capture section under Settings > General and giving them the choice of storage and the option to record only the audio of their choice.
Changes in the code hint at Apple's intention to move its AI ecosystem into collaboration with others beyond ChatGPT. The update of a system label from “Report a concern related to ChatGPT” to “Report a concern related to a Third Party” suggests the possible merging of various AI services. Experts opine that Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, and Perplexity AI may be the first partners.
The beta version gives clues to a better support for external smartwatches coming through the new Notification Forwarding feature, which will allow displaying iPhone notifications on non-Apple devices. Moreover, the list of improvements also contains very delicate animations in the Control Center, a new “slide to stop” interface for alarms and timers, and an accessibility option called “Prefer Single-Touch Options.”
Eligible Devices
The third beta of iOS 26.1 is compatible with many different iPhones, such as:
iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17 Air
iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e
iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
Registration for public beta is available on Apple’s official website, and users can enroll themselves. After the registration is completed, iPhone users can go to Settings > General > Software Update, select Beta Updates, pick iOS 26.1 Public Beta, and then proceed to download. The installation will automatically start when the download is complete.
iOS 26.1 beta 3 is not available to customers in India at the moment indicating a slow rollout.
