Did you know that you can download and install the new iOS 26 before the launch of this fall, if your phone can manage it?
Apple traditionally announces the new versions of their operating systems during their world annual conference for developers every June, then publishes them roughly when new iPhones will be sold in September.
Apple developer members could get their hands on the software early to help Apple find bugs, but 10 years ago, Apple also started publishing beta software to the public.
What is beta software? This is an early version of the software that runs the phone.
I was wary of beta outings after a bad experience at the start of the public beta program. Beta Software is published with the knowledge that the people who use it will be diligent to report all the problems they find so that the developer can solve them before the public release.
Once you have installed beta software, you will notice that Apple publishes an update version each week or two. These updates include fixes for problems that have been identified earlier by developers and public users.
Each intermediate release must lead to fewer and fewer problems. The versions include notes describing the fixes. New features are also introduced in the intermediate versions and sometimes you can see visually changes because Apple modifies the interface.
One of the new features of iOS 26 is called Liquid Glass, which is a redesign of icons and folders on the main screen of the iPhone. As the beta versions have turned off, you can see how Apple plays with the appearance of icons, in particular with reflections and transparency.
I have been using the iOS 26 beta for about a month, and I had no problem on an iPhone 16th.
If you want to try it on your iPhone, you can access the settings, then open general, then open the software update. You will see a menu there to install the beta version. You must make sure you have a current backup of your data, either on iCloud or on your computer. The installation lasts a few minutes and all your applications and data must be ready to use at the end of the installation.
Note, you will need a relatively recent iPhone to install iOS 26. Compatible phones include the iPhone SE (second generation) and any iPhone 11 or a new model.
Be notified, however, if you don’t like the beta version, going back to the old version of iOS is not very easy. You should wipe your phone and reinstall it.
Jim Rossman is a technological columnist for Tribune News Service. It can be reached at [email protected].
