Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Apple recently concluded WWDC 25 and released the initial developer beta of iOS 26. This preliminary version provides developers, and eager enthusiasts, an early opportunity to explore the features and settings unveiled at Apple Park, which incorporate a significant redesign and AI upgrades for iPhone software.
Key Enhancements in iOS 26
A prominent addition is Liquid Glass, Apple’s innovative design language that ensures consistency across devices, featuring a transparent, lens-like visual style. Integrated directly into Messages and FaceTime, Live Translation facilitates cross-lingual communication effortlessly. The enhanced Call Screening, building upon the foundations of Live Voicemail, intercepts calls from unknown numbers, inquires about the caller’s purpose, and presents a real-time transcript, enabling users to decide whether to answer or direct the call to voicemail. Complementing this, Hold Assist monitors hold music, notifying users as soon as a representative becomes available. These improvements are just a fraction of what’s included in the new operating system.
By advancing directly from iOS 18 to iOS 26, Apple aligns its mobile operating system naming convention with its other platforms, thereby signaling a generational leap rather than a mere annual refresh. This update represents the most substantial overhaul since iOS 7, introducing revisions and refinements to essentially every facet of the iPhone experience.

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If you’re keen on experiencing these features sooner rather than later, you can do so now. Below are relevant steps to download iOS 26.
A Word of Caution Before Installing iOS 26
While the iOS 26 developer beta is accessible without cost, it’s important to understand that it is designed for developers, not everyday users. Early versions typically contain bugs that can cause application crashes, accelerated battery consumption, device overheating, and overall sluggish performance. Unless your primary goal is to test software compatibility with Apple’s upcoming release, it is advisable to use the public beta–scheduled for release next month–on your personal iPhone.
iOS 26 Compatibility: Supported iPhone Models
The iOS 26 update is compatible with iPhone 11 models and newer. This specification excludes the iPhone XR/XS generation, but incorporates all A13 Bionic-powered devices onward, including the expected iPhone 17 range. The following is a comprehensive compilation of iPhone models capable of running iOS 26:
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 (expected)
- Future iPhone 17 lineup
It’s important to note that Apple Intelligence functionalities are exclusive to specific models, notably any iPhone 16 variant and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max iterations.
Important Considerations Before Downloading the iOS 26 Developer Beta
Before you start installing the iOS 26 developer beta, here are essential steps to consider:
- Verify Your Hardware: This beta is exclusive to iPhone 11 models and later. For full access to Apple Intelligence features, you need an iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, or models from the upcoming iPhone 17 series.
- Ensure you have the most up-to-date public release: Proceed with updating your iPhone to the most recent stable version which is iOS 18.5. This will prevent potential conflicts.
- Stable Wi-Fi Connection: For a seamless download experience, connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network.
- Adequate Storage Capacity: To download and install the iOS 26 developer beta, ensure you have at least 15GB of free space on your device.
- Archive Your Backup: Preserving your data is very important, create an archived backup that cannot be overwritten. Connect your iPhone to your Mac, then open Finder, select your device, and click Back Up Now > Manage Backups; right-click the new backup and select Archive. On Windows, use iTunes; click Back Up Now, locate the backup in Preferences, and archive it.
- Emergency Plan: If the beta causes issues and your phone becomes unstable (although unlikely), you will need to activate Recovery Mode, revert to iOS 18.5, and restore the archived backup onto your device.
After completing these preparations, you’ll be ready to proceed.
Step-by-Step Guide: Installing the iOS 26 Developer Beta on Your iPhone
Apple has streamlined the process, allowing anyone to install Apple developer betas without the annual fee. To get started, visit the Apple Developer site on your iPhone, tap the menu icon, select Account, and log in by using your Apple ID. Accept the terms, confirm the necessary checkboxes, and tap Submit. Additionally, in Settings > Privacy and Security, Developer Mode may need enabling.
With everything set up, you can easily install the iOS 26 developer beta through an over-the-air update:
- After registering for the Apple Developer program, the option to download the iOS 26 developer beta should appear in your settings.
- On your device, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select iOS 26 Developer Beta.
- Return to the previous screen, and select Download and Install listed under the new “iOS 26 Developer Beta.”
Finally, insert your passcode, accept the conditions laid out in Terms and Conditions, and let the installer begin. Expect a 10-15 minute duration for the download and reboot phase, assuming reliable Wi-Fi, but this may vary. Your iPhone will then restart, now operating on the iOS 26 developer beta.