Apple has released the second beta version of iOS 26, pushing the development cycle forward a couple of weeks after the initial preview. Alongside beta 2 releases for iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, this latest build for iPhone continues to refine the upcoming operating system expected to launch publicly this fall. While early betas primarily focus on stability and bug fixes, iOS 26 beta 2 already showcases significant tweaks and introduces new features.
Announced at WWDC 2025 with a new year-based versioning scheme, iOS 26 represents one of the most dramatic redesigns in the platform’s history. Apple has made the developer beta accessible immediately after the announcement for anyone with an Apple ID enrolled in the free developer program, with a public beta anticipated in July. However, early beta versions are unfinished software prone to bugs and instability, making them best suited for secondary devices after backing up your data.
Introducing the Striking Liquid Glass Design
The most immediately noticeable change in iOS 26 beta 2 is the implementation of the “Liquid Glass” design language. Described by Apple as “beautiful, delightful, and instantly familiar,” this visual revamp impacts nearly every corner of the interface, from the Lock Screen and Home Screen to the Control Center and individual apps.
The Liquid Glass aesthetic emphasizes optical qualities, fluidity, and expressiveness, creating a shared visual consistency across Apple devices. Key elements include:
A more vibrant Lock Screen where the time dynamically adjusts around photo wallpapers, gaining a 3D effect with device movement.
Updated app icons with options for new light, dark, color-tinted, and clear looks.
Dynamic controls within apps that subtly shift focus onto content.
Simplified navigation designed to help users concentrate on the information displayed.
Enhancements Across Core Apple Apps
Beyond the visual overhaul, iOS 26 beta 2 brings practical improvements to essential applications:
Phone & Messages: New tools help manage unwanted calls, including Call Screening which automatically answers unknown callers to get their name and reason before notifying you. Hold Assist can wait on hold during calls and alert you when a live agent is ready. Messages gains the ability to create polls directly in chats and customize chat backgrounds with personal photos or built-in options.
Apple Music: New functionalities include AutoMix for seamless, DJ-like transitions between songs using intelligence, Lyrics Translation to understand song meanings, Lyrics Pronunciation to help users learn how to sing along accurately, and auto-pinning of favorite songs.
CarPlay: The in-car experience integrates the new iOS 26 design, taking over the infotainment display with the updated interface.
Deeper Integration with Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI capabilities announced for iOS 26, continues to evolve in beta 2. These features leverage intelligent processing and visual intelligence to enhance user interaction and content creation:
Live Translation: Integrated into Messages (for text), FaceTime (live translated captions), and the Phone app (spoken translations during calls).
Image Playground & Genmoji: Tools for creating images by combining emoji and descriptions, exploring ChatGPT styles, and generating personalized emojis (Genmoji) inspired by contacts.
AI-Powered Shortcuts: Intelligent actions capable of summarizing text, creating images, or directly utilizing Apple Intelligence models within automated workflows.
Reminders: Apple Intelligence suggests tasks, grocery items, or follow-ups based on content like emails and automatically categorizes related reminders.
Visual Intelligence: Allows users to search, ask questions, and take actions based on content displayed anywhere on the screen.
More Features Uncovered in Beta 2
Further exploration of iOS 26 beta 2 reveals updates across various other apps and system functions:
Maps: Will learn preferred routes, proactively alert users to significant delays, and feature a “Visited Places” history.
Wallet: Expands to include a digital U.S. passport usable at TSA and elsewhere, plus enhanced boarding pass features like airport maps, Find My tracking, and shareable Live Activities.
Games App: A new central hub to track gaming activity, discover friends’ games, get recommendations, and participate in score-based Challenges.
Photos: Updated layout with Library and Collections tabs, and the ability to transform favorite photos into spatial scenes using visionOS tech for a 3D effect.
Journal: Supports multiple journals, inline images, and a map view for entries.
Clock: Customizable snooze duration (1-15 minutes).
Hardware Features: Enhanced audio recording for video calls/Camera app using AirPods Pro with H2 chip, which can also function as an AirPods Camera Remote. CarPlay supports Messages Tapbacks and Live Activities.
Accessibility: Improvements for Braille users, Vehicle Motion Cues to reduce motion sickness, and more reading experience customization.
Family Features: Easier child account migration and enhancements to parental controls.
Device Compatibility and Key Requirements
iOS 26 will be compatible with a wide range of iPhones, starting with the iPhone 11 lineup. However, Apple has discontinued support for the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max with this update, consistent with their typical software support window.
Supported models include:
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
iPhone 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
iPhone 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max (expected)
Important Note: While many iPhones can run iOS 26, several of the core Apple Intelligence features require a device with at least an A17 Bionic chip. This means that only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, along with the upcoming iPhone 16 models, will be able to utilize the full suite of these specific AI capabilities.
Should You Install the Beta?
While the ability to download the developer beta is now open to anyone, installing unfinished software comes with risks. Early betas are prone to bugs, glitches, and potential incompatibility issues with frequently used apps. Data loss is also a possibility.
For these reasons, it is strongly advised not to install iOS 26 beta 2 on your primary, everyday iPhone. If you are eager to try out the new features, use a secondary or backup device. Alternatively, wait for the more stable public beta release, expected around July, or hold off entirely until the official public launch in the fall, likely coinciding with the debut of the next iPhone lineup. Be sure to back up your device and personal information thoroughly before attempting any beta installation.
As testing continues, more refinements and perhaps additional minor features may surface in subsequent beta releases leading up to the final version of iOS 26.
