iOS 26 beta 3 has been succeeded by the availability of beta 4 for developers. This updated version aims to further enhance the overall user experience, stability, and battery usage concerns found in earlier builds. With the anticipated rollout of the first public beta nearing, here’s all the essential information regarding this forthcoming software update.
Apple may still be striving to achieve an effective balance between legibility and the innovative Liquid Glass interface. In the last two betas, the navigation bar in Control Center, Apple Music, App Store, and other applications has been made more opaque. The Liquid Glass design is transitioning to resemble a “Frosty Glass,” but modifications are likely in the subsequent updates.
Additionally, the prior beta introduced fresh wallpaper alternatives, as the new backdrop featured in iOS 26 showcases new hues. These wallpapers are also noticeably different in Dark mode. Apple has enabled Commute Delays in Apple Maps. This functionality was revealed during the WWDC 2025 keynote, but it took several betas before Apple could provide it to testers.
Earlier, Apple incorporated a new ringtone, the order tracking capability within the Wallet app, and a Recovery Assistant mode that allows users to operate without connecting their iPhone to a Mac. In the Messages app, iOS 26 beta 4 continues to advance the new backgrounds for chats and polls. For iPhones powered by Apple Intelligence, the Messages app will propose polls relevant to your conversations. Live Translation is another feature accessible within Messages, Phone, and FaceTime. Apple is also developing multiple new Apple Intelligence functionalities.
