Apple finished WWDC 25 last week, then abandoned the first beta developer of iOS 26. This early version gives developers (and the most impatient enthusiasts) their first practical meeting with features and parameters that the company presented on stage at Apple Park: a major overhaul and AI upgrades for iPhone software.
The greatest functionality is Liquid Glass, the new Apple coherent design language on all its devices, with a transparent aesthetic and similar to the objective. Live translation is integrated into messages and FaceTime to help you communicate between languages. Call screening, an evolution of live vocal messaging, collects unknown numbers on your behalf, why the appellants call and show a live transcription so that you can decide to jump or let it roll on voicemail. His acolyte, Hold Assist, listens to the maintenance music for you and ping the moment, a real person comes online. And there is much more.
By jumping directly from iOS 18 to iOS 26, Apple synchronizes its name of mobile operating system with the rest of its platforms and signals a generational jump rather than the usual annual development. It is the largest update of the operating system since iOS 7, with updates and improvements to almost all parts of the iPhone.
If you want to try one of these features, you can do it now. Here’s how to download iOS 26.
Look at this: I am impressed by iOS 26. Apple has just improved iPhones
A quick warning before downloading iOS 26
Yes, the beta version of the iOS 26 developer is free, but don’t forget that it is intended for developers, not for daily use. Early constructions often transport insects that can crush applications, drain your battery, overheat your phone and generally make your device slow. Unless you have to test software against the next Apple version, it is smarter to stick to the public beta version, which will be published next month, on your main iPhone.
The iPhone 17, when announced, will support iOS 26.
What iPhone models support iOS 26?
As long as you have an iPhone 11 or more recent, you can download iOS 26. Here is the full list of compatible iPhone models that can run iOS 26:
Apple Intelligence only works on compatible phones, which include any iPhone 16 model and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
What you need to know before downloading the iOS 26 beta developer
Before you excite you too much and start installing the beta version of the iOS 26 developer, there are a few things you have to do:
- First check your equipment. This beta version only works on iPhone 11 and more recent. If you want the features of Apple Intelligence’s titles, you will need a iPhone 15 pro, 15 pro max or anything in the next iPhone 17 range.
- Update of the latest public version. Make sure your phone is already on the most recent stable construction (right now, it’s iOS 18.5). This helps to prevent any problem that results from updating with obsolete software.
- Have a good Wi-Fi connection. You want the installation to become perfectly, which means you have to be connected to a fairly decent Wi-Fi.
- Have enough space on your phone. You need at least 15 GB of space on your phone to download the beta version of the iOS 26 developer.
- Archive a backup. A normal iCloud backup can be crushed; You need it that cannot. On your MacConnect your iPhone, open ResearcherSelect your device, press Save now > Manage backupsRight -click on the new backup and click Archive. On WindowIt’s quite similar. Open iTunesNow click upwards now, locate the backup in Preferences and archive it.
- Know the escape hatch. If the beta version breaks your phone for any reason (it has never happened to me), you will have to put the phone Recovery modeRestore iOS 18.5, then remove this archived backup on the device.
Once you have followed these steps, you are more or less ready to go.
How to install the beta version of the iOS 26 developer on your iPhone
Apple now allows anyone to install developer beta without paying the annual costs of $ 99. To do this, visit the Apple developer site On the device you plan to update, open the ☰ menu, choose AccountAnd connect with the Apple ID of this device. Accept the conditions, check the required boxes and press Submit. You may also have to activate Developer mode In Parameters > Confidentiality and security.
You can now install the beta version of the iOS 26 developer on your phone as live update:
- After registering the Apple developer programYou should see the option to download the beta version of the iOS 26 developer in your settings.
- On your device, open Settings> General> Software update> Beta updates And choose the Beta of the developer iOS 26.
- Go back and type Download and install Under the new option “iOS 26 Developer Beta” which appears.
The beta version of the iOS 26 developer measures 15.28 GB.
Finally, press your access code, accept the T&C and let the installation program do its thing. On a decent Wi-Fi connection, the download and recall routine should take around 10 to 15 minutes, but this can vary. When your iPhone is recovering, you will run the beta version of the iOS 26 developer.
