Skip to main content

Apple releases iPadOS 26.1 public beta 3 and more, here’s what’s new

Avatar for Ryan Christoffel  | Oct 14 2025 - 10:17 am PT
1 Comment
iPadOS 26.1 public beta

Public beta 3 is here for iPadOS 26.1 and more. Here’s what’s new in Apple’s just-released wave of new beta software updates.

Public beta 3 brings new, colorful Apple TV app icon and more

One day after shipping beta 3 to developers, Apple has just released public beta 3 for iPadOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and more.

We’re getting closer to the wide public launch of these software updates, with a late October release expected.

As such, user-facing changes in each new beta have started becoming harder to find.

One highlight of public beta 3 across all relevant platforms is that it brings a new look to the Apple TV app icon.

Apple TV icon

The icon has been revised with a more colorful design across iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, macOS, and more.

This change is no doubt part of Apple’s recently announced rebranding of Apple TV+ into just ‘Apple TV.’

Another update in iPadOS 26.1 public beta 3 is the arrival of a ‘Local Capture’ menu in Settings.

Local Capture was one of the many new productivity-focused features introduced in iPadOS 26. It offers new tools for recording audio and video from calls, which among other use cases is perfect for podcasting.

Now, by visiting Settings ⇾ General ⇾ Local Capture, you can change where recordings are saved in Apple’s Files app, and also use a new ‘Audio Only’ toggle.

Other user-facing updates in public beta 3 are pretty minimal, as Apple seems to be turning its focus more to bug fixes and performance improvements with the public launch approaching.

Notably, one thing that hasn’t changed in beta 3 is Slide Over. Apple appears intent on shipping its new Slide Over implementation with support for only a single app at a time.

Have you discovered anything new in public beta 3 for iPadOS 26.1 or another release? Let us know in the comments.

Best iPad accessories

Add 9to5Mac as a preferred source on Google Add 9to5Mac as a preferred source on Google

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

Comments

Guides

iPadOS 26.1

iPadOS 26.1

Author

Avatar for Ryan Christoffel Ryan Christoffel

Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.