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 anybody to attempt by way of a developer beta (now as much as model 5) and the preliminary public beta. Although iOS 26 nonetheless has at the very least a month of tweaks earlier than it is finalized, the beta flavors already present a peek at what to anticipate.
You possibly can obtain iOS 26 beta in your iPhone now. Here is how you can set up it — and which fashions help it.
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I have been operating 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 by 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.
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I really feel the interface attracts me in and engages with me in an inventive however sensible method. Evaluating my check iPhone with iOS 26 and my present cellphone with iOS 18, I can clearly see and recognize the variations with Liquid Glass.
2. Digicam 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 — picture and video. To segue to different modes similar 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 similar to flash, publicity, filter, and timer, you possibly can nonetheless swipe up from the underside as at all times, 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 structure 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 should swipe up and down to change between the 2 views. With iOS 26, Apple has rectified that error.
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Open the Pictures app within the new OS and you will 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 possibly can simply scroll by all of your pictures or view them by 12 months or month.
Faucet the Collections icon and you will then see your pictures organized by reminiscences, albums, individuals, and different standards. You can even reorder the totally different collections to put your favourite ones on the prime of the display screen.
4. Display your calls
That can assist 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 data. Earlier than you select whether or not to choose up the decision, the particular person on the opposite finish is requested why they’re calling. That data then flashes on the display screen that will help you determine how you can deal with the decision.
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To allow this, head to Settings, choose Apps, after which faucet the Telephone app. Swipe to the part for Display Unknown Callers and faucet the choice for “Ask Purpose for Calling.” The subsequent time you obtain a name from a stranger, the particular person might be prompted to clarify why they’re calling. You possibly can then reply or ignore the decision.
5. Set your default apps
Apple hasn’t made it straightforward to alter your default apps. Up to now, you needed to drill down to every app that you simply needed to alter or set. Now with iOS 26, you possibly can 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 electronic mail, messaging, calling, name filtering, browser, translator, passwords, contactless funds, and keyboard.
