Apple has been busy prepping iOS 26 for its seemingly 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 no less than a month of tweaks earlier than it is finalized, the beta flavors already present a peek at what to anticipate.
You’ll be able to 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 working 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 up to now.
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 via 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 means. Evaluating my check iPhone with iOS 26 and my present cellphone with iOS 18, I can clearly see and admire the variations with Liquid Glass.
2. Digital camera app
For iOS 26, Apple tweaked the digicam app that will help you extra shortly and simply entry sure controls and settings. By default, the app reveals you the 2 most typical modes — photograph and video. To segue to different modes equivalent 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 equivalent to flash, publicity, filter, and timer, you may nonetheless swipe up from the underside as all the time, 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 particular icon to regulate it. Relying in your present mode, controls additionally seem on the prime so that you can view and alter.
3. Pictures app
With iOS 18, Apple altered the format 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 must swipe up and down to change 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 via all of your photographs or view them by yr or month.
Faucet the Collections icon and you may then see your photographs organized by reminiscences, albums, folks, and different standards. You can too reorder the totally different collections to put your favourite ones on the prime of the display screen.
4. Display screen 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 info. Earlier than you select whether or not to choose up the decision, the individual on the opposite finish is requested why they’re calling. That info then flashes on the display screen that will help you resolve easy methods to deal with the decision.
Searching for the subsequent greatest product? Get skilled evaluations 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 screen Unknown Callers and faucet the choice for “Ask Motive for Calling.” The subsequent time you obtain a name from a stranger, the individual can be prompted to clarify why they’re calling. You’ll be able to then reply or ignore the decision.
5. Set your default apps
Apple hasn’t made it simple to alter your default apps. Up to now, you needed to drill down to every app that you simply wished to alter 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 e mail, messaging, calling, name filtering, browser, translator, passwords, contactless funds, and keyboard.
