Apple iOS 26 Public Beta Now Available With Liquid Glass Design and New Features
Apple has officially launched the public beta for iOS 26, giving users an early look at the major updates coming this fall. The biggest change is the Liquid Glass design, a complete visual overhaul that brings a translucent aesthetic to the home and lock screens. This new look extends across all of Apple’s operating systems, including macOS, iPadOS, and more.
Liquid Glass introduces a fresh, floating button design and adaptive transparency that shifts between light and dark modes. While some have compared it to Microsoft’s old Vista Aero design, Apple has already tweaked the transparency levels based on early feedback. The goal is to create a more cohesive experience across all Apple devices.
Beyond the design refresh, iOS 26 brings several practical upgrades. The Phone app now lets users scroll through contacts, recent calls, and voicemails on a single screen. A new Hold Assist feature notifies you when a customer service agent picks up, so you don’t have to listen to hold music.
Messages is getting useful additions like polls for group chats and a spam filter that automatically sorts unknown senders into a separate folder. FaceTime now includes a Communication Safety feature that pauses video if nudity is detected, aimed at protecting younger users.
Another highlight is Live Translation, which works in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages to translate conversations in real time. Visual Intelligence lets users search for objects in screenshots, similar to a reverse image search. And for those who disliked last year’s Photos app changes, the old tabs are returning for easier navigation.
The iOS 26 public beta is available now through the Apple Beta Software Program. Users can sign up at beta.apple.com and install the beta via Settings. However, since beta software can be unstable, it’s best to avoid installing it on a primary device.
The final version of iOS 26 will launch this fall, likely in September alongside new iPhone models. Most iPhones from 2019 onward will support the update, including the iPhone 11 series and newer, but the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max won’t be compatible.
While Apple has delayed its smarter Siri upgrade to next year, reports suggest the company may integrate third-party AI models like ChatGPT or Claude to enhance the assistant. For now, iOS 26 focuses on refining existing features while introducing a bold new design direction.
