Apple releases eighth iOS 26 developer beta and fifth public beta

Apple on Monday pushed the eighth developer beta and the fifth public beta of iOS 26, signaling that the next major iPhone software update is approaching its final stage of testing ahead of a full public rollout expected around mid September. The update, unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June, brings a broad redesign called Liquid Glass along with new communication, translation and AI features. Apple has said iOS 26 will be available this fall.

The latest betas are largely focused on stability and refinement rather than sweeping new capabilities. Historically Apple has issued eight developer betas before shipping a release candidate and then the public release, and developers and public testers report only minor differences between beta 7 and beta 8. “iOS 26 delivers a stunning new design,” the company has described the software, while developers say the current builds are mostly performance and polish updates as Apple prepares a candidate build for distribution after its September hardware event.

Key changes arriving in iOS 26 include the Liquid Glass visual overhaul that applies glasslike translucency across system surfaces, a revamped Phone app with Call...