Apple has been beta testing iOS 26 since announcing the update at WWDC, so the tech world has had plenty of chances to see what changes the company is cooking up for the fall. The thing is, this beta is only supposedly to be for iOS developers—though that hasn't stopped the general public from installing the update. While I've strongly discouraged non-developers from running these betas, I have good news: The public beta is nearly here.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has a track record for accurate Apple reporting, Apple is planning iOS 26's public beta “around the 23rd” of July. Gurman's reporting is followed up by a MacRumors source, a private account on X, who shared leaked build numbers for Apple's upcoming round of updates on Monday—including the fourth developer beta for iOS 26. According to MacRumors, the account usually drops the build numbers a day before the betas launch, which suggests iOS 26 developer beta 4 will drop today, Tuesday, and will be the same build as the first public beta, which might drop Wednesday.
This timeline isn't surprising, seeing as Apple previously announced the public beta would drop in July—the company's usual month for public beta releases. iOS 18's public beta dropped in mid-July last year, as did iOS 17's, so iOS 26's public beta is actually a bit late.
Public betas vs. developer betas
While betas can be a fun way to try out new features before the general public, I always advise that users exercise caution before installing them on their main devices. This is prerelease software that Apple is putting through its paces, which means there could be bugs and glitches that wouldn't be present on an official release.
If you are dead-set on beta testing iOS 26, however, I'd recommend waiting for this public beta. Apple's developer betas are particularly prone to instability, since they are still in the earliest stages of testing. They're designed for developers to see how their apps respond to the software. By the time the company releases a public beta, they've sorted through most of the worst bugs and glitches, which makes it safer for individuals to try it out if interested.
What do you think so far?
Those following the beta journey thus far will know how much things can change. Just look at Liquid Glass, Apple's big redesign. The company continues to adjust how transparent that glassy effect really is—to the point where, with the third developer beta, it hardly looks like the original design. Who knows what Liquid Glass will look like once the public beta drops?
Signing up for the public betas
iOS 26 won't be the only software with a public beta, either. You should also be able to install the public betas iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26, HomePod software 26, and AirPods Firmware, if you wish. (Apple says there will be no visionOS public beta, for any Vision Pro users.) To do so, you'll need to enroll your Apple ID with the Apple Beta Software Program.
iOS 26 also isn't the only beta out right now—Apple is currently testing iOS 18.6, likely the last release of the iOS 18 era. Unlike iOS 26, however, iOS 18.6 really doesn't introduce any new features. It's more of a stability update, unless you live in the EU, where Apple is changing the experience for downloading apps and app marketplaces from the web.
