iOS beta release date and how to get iOS beta updates on iPhone

Macworld

Apple unveiled iOS 26 (not iOS 19) at WWDC 2025, and it will (probably) arrive on iPhones in September 2025. But Apple’s beta program is here now, so you can try out the new software features in the developer beta if you’re feeling brave. Although maybe you should first read about why we advise against installing the iOS beta.

A little time later, those signed up for the (typically more stable) public beta will be able to start testing the new version of the iPhone operating system. This will arrive ahead of its full launch, which is expected in September with the iPhone 17 range.

If you want to join the beta, or are already signed up and just want to know when the first developer beta of iOS 26 will be available, or the first public beta of iOS 26, read on.

Updated June 13: Apple updated beta 1 for developers on June 13, though the version number has only changed the last letter (from 23A5260n to 23A5260u). This is still “beta 1” and there are likely no new features, just a critical bug or security flaw fixed.

iOS 26 beta release date: Developer beta

June 9, 2025

Updated June 13, 2025

As expected, Apple opened its Worldwide Developers Conference with a keynote where it revealed the new features coming in iOS 26 (part of a new unifying annual naming system along with the likes of iPadOS 26 and macOS 26).

The developer beta became available for those registered for the program on June 9. The first update came on June 13.

iOS 26 beta: What’s in the latest beta

The first beta release of iOS 26 on June 9 had everything Apple demonstrated in its WWDC keynote: Liquid Glass, the new Phone app and features, the new Camera and Photos experience, and more.

On June 13, Apple updated beta 1 for developers. The version number has only changed the last letter (from 23A5260n to 23A5260u). This is still “beta 1” and there are likely no new features, just a critical bug or security flaw fixed.




Karen Kahn / Foundry

iOS 26 beta release date: Public beta

July 14, 2025 (estimate)

The public beta usually comes a month later, around the beginning of July. In 2024 the first public beta of iOS 18 arrived on July 15, while in 2023 the first public beta of iOS 17 arrived on July 12. We anticipate that the public beta will arrive in the week commencing July 14.

iOS beta: Developer vs Public beta

Apple always runs an iOS beta-testing program throughout the summer months in order to produce a more polished release for the fall launch, and to give developers a chance to test and update their apps. There is also a public beta, which is aimed at a broader audience who are just interested in testing new features.

Each stage of iOS’s development cycle is rolled out to developers first, and then to public beta testers afterwards. If you’re a developer and need to test your apps against the most up-to-date version of iOS possible, this is the version to run.

The developer version of a beta usually comes a few days before the equivalent public beta version (with more than a month between the initial developer and public betas). Because of this lag the public beta is likely to be more stable than the developer beta.

That’s not to say that running the public beta is risk free. Even the public beta has the potential to brick your iPhone, so we recommend that you don’t use your main iPhone and that you also back up the phone before running any updates!

How to get the iOS Developer Beta

Anyone with an Apple developer account can get access to the developer beta. It is not necessary to be a paid-up member of the Apple Developer Program, you can create a free Apple Developer account using your Apple ID.

You can use the Xcode app, the Apple Developer app on iOS, or on Apple’s website to get your free Apple Developer account. We think that using the Apple Developer app is the simplest way – just log in with your Apple ID. We explain how to get a free Apple developer account in How to become an Apple beta tester.

If you want to sell applications to the App Store and sell them you’ll need to pay $99/£79 per year for a developer account. Sign up for the Apple Developer Program (here) or through Apple’s Developer App. You can register as an individual or a company. You will be required to add various bits of information and agree to the program license agreement, then enter your payment details (it’s an annual subscription that you can end up to a day before it renews). It can take a few days to verify you and make the account live. You can compare the free and paid accounts here.

All set with your Apple developer account? Okay! Now to install the beta…

How to install the iOS developer beta

Back up your iPhone (because this is a beta you are testing!)

Open the Settings app.

Tap General.

Tap Software Update.

In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Developer Beta.

Now wait a while while the beta installs.




Foundry

Developers can choose to get the Public Beta instead by selecting iOS Public Beta in the Software Update screen.

Prior to iOS 16.4, it was necessary to download and activate a beta profile on your device. From iOS 16.4 onwards, Apple will simply check to see if your Apple ID is a registered developer and provide access in the Software Update menu. You may need to restart your iPhone for the option to appear.

How to get the iOS Public Beta

If you aren’t a developer, but are keen to try out the new features, we recommend waiting for the public beta—the first developer beta releases tend to be quite buggy and unreliable. Just beware that any beta, public or developer, is likely to be buggy and cause issues with your iPhone, so our advice is not to run it on a secondary iPhone or have some backup plan in place.

Beta testers will continue to receive beta updates even after the final version launches. If you don’t want to continue to get the beta, or have an issue with the beta, read: How to remove iOS beta.

The developer beta is, as the name suggests, intended for developers only, but Apple does offer a beta testing program for members of the public who would like to try out new features and find bugs. Beginning with iOS 16.4, you no longer need to download and activate a profile to get the beta. You simply need to enrol and select the beta from the software updates section in Settings.

How to install the iOS public beta

You can install the iOS public beta using the following instructions.

Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.

Log in to the Beta Software Program.

Click Enroll your iOS device.

Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.

In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.




Foundry

If you want to uninstall the beta and stop receiving beta updates read this: How to remove an iOS beta from your iPhone.

The beta includes a Feedback app that you can use to submit bug reports and broken features. Make use of it! It’s the best way for Apple to get well-documented, reproducible bug reports directly to developers, along with things like telemetry and screenshots that make it easy for them to figure out what’s wrong. Using the Feedback app every time you encounter a problem is the best way to make sure the final release of iOS 26 is a smooth upgrade for everyone.

Risks and precautions of the iOS beta

Note first of all that betas are test versions of upcoming software. They are by definition unfinished, and while they should include most or all of the features in the finished product, there will be cosmetic differences and, inevitably, some glitches and problems that will need to be fixed. The glitches and problems are why Apple bothers to beta-test iOS in the first place.

In other words, don’t expect a perfect user experience. In particular, don’t expect existing apps (including ones that you may rely on) to work perfectly with the new version. In extreme cases, you may even find that your device is bricked by the beta, and cannot be used until the next beta comes along and hopefully fixes the problem. It’s not uncommon for early beta software to exhibit excessive battery drain, too.

The closer we get to the final launch, the more polished and feature-complete the betas become. The counter to that, of course, is there will be less time left to wait for the official launch, so you won’t gain much by installing a beta.

Assuming you decide to go ahead, we can’t stress enough how important it is to back up your iPhone before you install an iOS beta, or better still, use a secondary device rather than your main iPhone. You won’t lose everything if something goes wrong while the beta is installing, and you’ll be able to go back to the last version should you find that you don’t like the new software after all, or that it’s too buggy.