How to Download the iOS 26 Beta Now (And Which iPhones Support It)
Curious to try out Apple’s bold new iOS 26 with its sleek Liquid Glass design and advanced features? Whether you're a developer or eager public tester, this guide covers everything—from device compatibility to installation steps—so you can download the beta safely on your iPhone right now.
📱 Which iPhones Support iOS 26 Beta?
Thanks to Apple’s update to year-based versioning, iOS 26 is designed for newer devices only. Here's the full compatibility breakdown:
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Supported (no Apple Intelligence): iPhone 11, 11 Pro/Max, SE 2 & 3, iPhone 12, 12 Mini/Pro/Max, 13 Series, 14 & 14 Plus, 14 Pro/Max, 15 & 15 Plus
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Supported (with Apple Intelligence features): iPhone 15 Pro/Max, 16 & 16 Plus, 16 Pro/Max, and 16e (Wikipedia, MacRumors, Wikipedia)
Dropped support: A12 Bionic devices like iPhone XS, XS Max, XR – they can’t upgrade to iOS 26 .
Beta Access: Developer vs Public Builds
Apple has released developer beta 1 on June 9, 2025, with an updated build on June 13. Developer beta 3 arrived recently, bringing UI tweaks, new wallpapers, and control center refinements (Wikipedia).
The public beta is expected this coming July, between build 2 and 3, before the final release in mid‑September, alongside the iPhone 17 series (Wikipedia).
✅ Prepare Your iPhone: Backup & Requirements
Before installing iOS 26 beta, doing this check can save headaches later:
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Backup your iPhone: Make a full iCloud or computer backup. Archived backups let you revert to iOS 25 if needed (YTechB, Tom's Guide).
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Ensure 6–8 GB free storage and at least 50% battery or stay plugged in (Mid Atlantic Consulting).
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Connect to a stable Wi‑Fi network for faster, uninterrupted download.
🛠 Developer Beta Installation (Right Now)
If you're enrolled in Apple’s $99/year Developer Program:
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Open Safari on your iPhone and go to the Apple Developer site.
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Sign in, navigate to Downloads, and tap Install Profile next to iOS 26 beta (9to5Mac).
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Allow the profile download, then restart your device.
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Go to: Settings → General → Software Update, download and install the iOS 26 developer beta.
🌐 Public Beta Installation (Coming This July)
Once Apple launches the public beta:
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Visit beta.apple.com via Safari.
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Sign in with your Apple ID, go to Enroll your iOS device, then Download Profile (Mid Atlantic Consulting, 9to5Mac).
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After restart, navigate to Settings → General → Software Update, then tap Download and Install.
This mirrors the process used for iOS 16 and earlier betas (YTechB).
🚨 Risks & Tips for Beta Testing
Beta releases offer early access but come with trade‑offs:
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Expect bugs: crashes, battery drain, app incompatibility (starzsoft.com).
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Only install on a secondary iPhone, not your everyday device .
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To exit the beta: remove the profile in Settings → General → Profile, then reinstall the latest public iOS build .
⚠️ New Features in iOS 26 Beta Builds
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Liquid Glass UI overhaul with more translucent, refractive UI elements (Wikipedia).
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Beta 2 enhancements: CarPlay upgrades, Live Translation in calls, expanded AI tools, full‑screen clock, and smarter Maps (Indiatimes).
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Beta 3 refinements: Less blur in nav bars, additional wallpapers, darker notification backgrounds, refreshed Control Center icons (Indiatimes).
💡 Summary Table
| Step | Developer Beta (Now) | Public Beta (Coming Soon) |
|---|---|---|
| Profile Download | Developer site via Safari | beta.apple.com via Safari |
| Enrolment Status | Developer account required ($99/year) | Free for anyone |
| Update Path | Settings → General → Software Update | Same |
| Release Timing | Active now | Likely July 2025 |
🔚 Final Take
Want to explore Apple's futuristic Liquid Glass UI and test new AI features? Grab the iOS 26 developer beta now—if you're a developer. Prefer stability and official testing? The public beta is just weeks away. In both cases, back up your device, ensure you have space and power, and run it on a secondary iPhone to avoid disruptions.
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