Apple has been busy prepping iOS 26 for its possible debut in September. Till then, the iPhone’s upcoming new OS has been accessible for anyone to try through a developer beta (now as much as model 5) and the preliminary public beta. Although iOS 26 nonetheless has not less than a month of tweaks earlier than it is finalized, the beta flavors already present a peek at what to anticipate.
You possibly can obtain iOS 26 beta in your iPhone now. Here’s how to install it — and which models support it.
Additionally: My biggest regret after updating my iPhone to iOS 26 (and how to fix it)
I have been operating the general public beta since its launch on July 24. Among the many new and improved options in iOS 26, these are my 5 favorites thus far.
1. Liquid Glass
Including a brand new translucent design to the interface, Liquid Glass gives the look that you are looking at your display screen components by glass. With this new aesthetic enabled, icons seem extra three-dimensional and layered, whereas menus are semi-transparent. I’ve learn some detrimental feedback about Liquid Glass, however I like the brand new design.
Additionally: The best MagSafe accessories of 2025 for your iPhone
I really feel the interface attracts me in and engages with me in a creative however sensible method. Evaluating my check iPhone with iOS 26 and my present telephone with iOS 18, I can clearly see and respect the variations with Liquid Glass.
2. Digicam app
For iOS 26, Apple tweaked the digicam app that will help you extra rapidly and simply entry sure controls and settings. By default, the app exhibits you the 2 commonest modes — photograph and video. To segue to different modes comparable to portrait, pano, slow-mo, and time-lapse, swipe your finger left or proper or press down on the management to maneuver from one mode to a different.
Even higher, the important thing settings at the moment are extra simply accessible and configurable. To show settings comparable to flash, publicity, filter, and timer, you may nonetheless swipe up from the underside as at all times, or just faucet the button with the title of the mode. Up pops a Liquid Glass menu with icons for all of the settings. Faucet a selected icon to regulate it. Relying in your present mode, controls additionally seem on the high so that you can view and regulate.
3. Pictures app
With iOS 18, Apple altered the structure within the Pictures app to show each your library and collections on the identical display screen. Although which will sound handy, it upset many iPhone customers who now need to swipe up and down to modify between the 2 views. With iOS 26, Apple has rectified that error.
Additionally: Apple finally added my most-requested iPhone feature (and you’ll love it, too)
Open the Pictures app within the new OS and you may see two icons on the backside — one on your Library and one other on your Collections. By default, the app opens in Library view so you may simply scroll by all of your images or view them by 12 months or month.
Faucet the Collections icon and you may then see your images organized by reminiscences, albums, folks, and different standards. You may also reorder the completely different collections to position your favourite ones on the high of the display screen.
4. Display your calls
That will help you higher fight rip-off and spam calls, iOS 26 provides a useful new choice to the Telephone app. Now you can display screen a name from an unknown quantity by asking the caller for sure data. Earlier than you select whether or not to select up the decision, the individual on the opposite finish is requested why they’re calling. That data then flashes on the display screen that will help you determine the right way to deal with the decision.
In search of the following finest product? Get professional opinions and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.
To allow this, head to Settings, choose Apps, after which faucet the Telephone app. Swipe to the part for Display Unknown Callers and faucet the choice for “Ask Purpose for Calling.” The following time you obtain a name from a stranger, the individual might be prompted to clarify why they’re calling. You possibly can then reply or ignore the decision.
5. Set your default apps
Apple hasn’t made it straightforward to vary your default apps. Prior to now, you needed to drill down to every app that you simply needed to vary or set. Now with iOS 26, you may select all of your default apps in a single place. For this, go to Settings, choose Apps, after which faucet Default Apps. From right here, you are in a position to modify the defaults for electronic mail, messaging, calling, name filtering, browser, translator, passwords, contactless funds, and keyboard.
