Apple Launches Developer Betas for iOS 26 and More

Apple has introduced the initial developer betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, providing developers with an opportunity to access the features revealed during WWDC 2025. The public beta phase will commence next month, but users who are eager to experience Apple’s newest software can start right away without incurring any fees.

In a recent change, Apple has removed the requirement for users to purchase a paid developer account to trial developer betas. Now, anyone with a compatible device and an Apple ID can participate through the Apple Beta Software Program.

How to Access the Developer Betas

To begin, users must visit beta.apple.com and enrol their devices. After enrolling, beta versions will be available in the software update settings on all of Apple’s platforms. For iPhone users, this means navigating to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and selecting the developer beta profile to start the download process.

Cautions Regarding Early Releases

Apple does advise users that these initial beta builds are not the final releases and might not host every feature highlighted during the keynote. These preliminary versions might also come with bugs, compatibility concerns with applications, and increased battery consumption, which can make them less suitable for everyday use.

For those looking to experiment with the developer beta, it is highly recommended to do so on a secondary device. If a secondary device is unavailable, ensuring that the primary device is backed up before installation is essential.

Public Beta Availability

Apple has announced that the public beta programme will launch for all users in July, extending access to the complete range of software updates, including advancements powered by Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI platform that is set to be widely released later this year.

Currently, the developer betas present the first chance to explore features such as Live Translation, spatial widgets within visionOS, and new system-wide Siri integrations that connect across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro.