All of Apple’s operating systems got a major overhaul today, heralded by a new system theme featuring Liquid Glass elements. Apple also updated its naming scheme to a unified numbering system based on the calendar year, so rather than iOS 19, it’s now iOS 26. And macOS 26. And watchOS 26. And tvOS 26. And iPadOS 26. And visionOS 26.
If you aren’t developer, you’ll be able to try out all these new software updates for free by installing the public beta in July. The OS’s will be released for all users in the fall, probably in September.
The developer beta 1 of all of these platforms is rolling out right now. If you have a registered developer account, you can install those today.
If you are on the open-access public beta train, you have to wait until next month. Apple did not provide an exact date for the public beta launch, other than saying it will roll out in July. But if it follows the tradition of previous years, it usually comes with beta 3 cycle in the first couple weeks of the month.
The Apple Beta Software Program will host public betas for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. (Note: visionOS does not participate in the public beta, as it is not currently supported to install public betas on Apple Vision Pro.)
The public beta program is available to anyone who signs up at beta.apple.com, so you don’t need a developer account or anything special like that.
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