With WWDC 2025 done and dusted, developers are currently evaluating the initial iOS 26 beta. In the meantime, numerous iPhone users are curious about when they might get a sneak peek at the new features. Here’s all the essential information regarding the launch of the iOS 26 public beta.
## Did Apple confirm when users can download the iOS 26 public beta?
Indeed, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook stated during the WWDC 2025 keynote that the iOS 26 public beta will be accessible in July. Typically, Apple releases several betas solely for developers prior to making beta testing available to the broader public.
## When can you anticipate the first public beta?
We anticipate that iOS 26 public beta 1 will be released between the second and third week of July. Here’s when Apple launched the first public beta of prior iOS updates in recent years:
– **iOS 15:** June 30, 2021
– **iOS 16:** July 11, 2022
– **iOS 17:** July 12, 2023
– **iOS 18:** July 15, 2024
It wouldn’t take us by surprise if the iOS 26 public beta goes live around July 14 or July 15.
## How can you sign up for the beta program?
If you wish to be among the first to experience the public beta, you must register your Apple Account in the Apple Beta Software Program. Follow these steps:
– First, ensure you’re registered in the [Apple Beta Software Program](https://beta.apple.com/)
– On your iPhone, launch the **Settings** app
– Tap on **General**, then **Software Update**
– Select **Beta Updates** and activate iOS 26 Public Beta
## These are some features you can look forward to seeing in iOS 26 public beta 1
When the public beta becomes available, you’ll have the opportunity to test the following features:
– **Completely new design:** Apple presents a fresh design featuring the Liquid Glass UI. It’s a significant departure from the prior design language used in iOS 18.
– **Messages app enhancements:** Users can filter messages from unknown senders, create polls, and design unique backgrounds using Image Playground.
– **Apple Music:** [With a redesigned app](https://bgr.com/tech/every-new-apple-music-feature-coming-in-ios-26/), users can pin their favorite tracks at the top of the library, along with various other modifications.
– **ChatGPT enhancements:** ChatGPT now features onscreen awareness for those utilizing it to enhance Apple Intelligence.
– **Genmoji and Image Playground upgrades:** Apple claims iOS 26 elevates these original Apple Intelligence features, allowing the blending of emoji, Genmoji, and descriptions to create something novel.
## Supported devices
Here’s the complete list of devices that will be compatible with iOS 26:
– iPhone 11
– iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
– iPhone SE (2nd gen)
– iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12
– iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
– iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13
– iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
– iPhone SE (3rd gen)
– iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
– iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
– iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
– iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
– iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
– iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
– iPhone 16e
Below, you can discover more about some additional new features arriving in iOS 26.
