When will iOS 26 be released?
iOS 26 will be widely available as a free software update on Sept. 15, 2025. The developer beta was released during WWDC in June 2025, while the public beta was released in July.
Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 26?
Apple removed the iPhone XR and XS from its list of supported devices with iOS 26, so any iPhone 11 or newer is compatible with the new operating system, including the iPhone SE.
Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to iOS 26 (and which ones don’t support it)
How to install the iOS 26 public beta?
If you’d like to test iOS 26 between now and its public release, you can try the public beta or the developer beta. Here’s how you can download and install the public beta:
- Go to your iPhone’s Settings and select General.
- Within General, tap on Software Update. Your iPhone’s Software Updates feature must be updated to automatically receive beta updates and beta versions of iOS.
- Go to Beta Updates to enable it and select the iOS version you’d like to access. This setting is turned off by default on iPhones.Select iOS 26 Public Beta to begin receiving automatic software updates to the latest beta version of iOS 26.
- Return to the previous page. If an update is available now, your iPhone will prompt you to download and install it.
Also: iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Why I’m upgrading to this years model after three years
If you’d rather download the iOS 26 developer beta version, navigate to your settings to install the iOS 26 developer beta if your device runs iOS 16.5 and is used with an Apple ID enrolled in the Apple Developer Program. Here’s how you can get the iOS developer beta on your iPhone:
- Go to your iPhone Settings
- Tap on General
- Select Software Update
- Go to Beta Updates
- Choose the iOS 26 Developer Beta
If you can’t see this option, go to your Settings, select Privacy & Security, and enable Developer Mode.
If you aren’t already a member of the Apple Developer Program, you can sign up to become one in the app. An annual membership costs $99, but you don’t need one to try the developer beta.
What to do before installing the iOS 26 public beta?
You can always join the Apple Beta program to get the latest beta versions of iOS. Before you download a beta version of an operating system, keep these housekeeping items in mind:
- Back up your device and personal information.
- Don’t download beta software, which will likely have bugs and glitches, on your everyday iPhone.
- Beta versions are released so you can test new features and share feedback to improve iOS.
How to submit beta feedback to Apple
The iOS 26 public beta comes with its own built-in Feedback Assistant app, which you can open from the Home screen. If you encounter something that doesn’t work, or you have feedback on any part of the new OS, you can communicate directly with Apple via that app.
