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How to Get the iOS 26 Developer Beta on Your iPhone

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple has released the first iOS 26 beta to developers, but even non-developers have the opportunity to download beta software updates on their iPhones for free. Keep reading to learn how it's done.

Apple-WWDC25-iOS-26-hero-250609.jpg

Traditionally, when Apple announced a major new operating system update, the first wave of betas would only be available to download by paying subscribers to Apple's Developer Program, which costs $99 a year. Public betas would then become available to users enrolled in Apple's Public Beta Software Program after a delay of a few days or weeks after the developer beta has been released. That all changed in 2023, and these days iPhone users no longer have to wait for a publicly released beta to test what's new.

Indeed, anyone who signs in to Apple's developer account website with their Apple Account credentials gets access to developer beta releases as well, even if they are not a paying member of Apple's Developer Program. This means anyone with an Apple Account can download and install the new iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe betas without waiting for the public betas to launch.

Is My iPhone Compatible With iOS 26?

iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. In other words, the following models are supported:
  • iPhone 16e
  • iPhone 16
  • iPhone 16 Plus
  • iPhone 16 Pro
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • iPhone 15
  • iPhone 15 Plus
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14
  • iPhone 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
Should I Install iOS 26 Developer Beta?

Great question! Before downloading the update, it's worth noting that Apple does not recommend installing iOS 26 beta updates on your main iPhone, so if you have a secondary device, use that. This is beta software, which means there are often bugs and issues that pop up that can prevent software from working properly or cause other problems. Apple undoubtedly has plenty of fixes to make before the final release.

Make an Archived Backup of Your Device First

Before installing the beta, make sure to back up your iOS device before installing the software using the following method, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to iOS 18 if things go wrong.
  1. Plug your iPhone into your Mac using the supplied cable.
  2. Allow the accessory to connect by clicking Allow in the dialog prompt.
  3. Open a Finder window by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock.
  4. Click your iOS device's name in the sidebar.
    archived-backup2.jpg

    If this is the first time connecting your device to your Mac, click Trust in the Finder window.
    archived-backup1.jpg

    Tap Trust on your device when prompted, then enter your passcode to confirm.
  5. In the General tab, click the circle next to where it says Back up all of the data on your iPad to this Mac.
  6. If you want to encrypt the backup, check the box next to Encrypt local backup, then enter a password to protect your data.
  7. If you don't want to create an encrypted backup, or you've already set up encrypted backups, click Back Up Now.
    archived-backup3.jpg
When the backup is finished, you can find the date and time of the last backup in the General tab, just above the Manage Backups button. Remember that this backup will not be overwritten when you manually or automatically back up your iPhone in the future, so you can restore it at any time by using the Restore Backup... option in the same Finder screen.

How to Download iOS 26 Developer Betas

The option to download and install the iOS 26 Developer Beta is immediately available for users who have previously enrolled on Apple's Beta Software Program. If you're currently enrolled to receive Public Betas, you can skip to step 6, otherwise follow these steps.
Open Safari on your iPhone and visit developer.apple.com.
[*]Tap the menu icon in the top-left corner of the page, then tap Account.
[*]Under "Sign in to Apple Developer," enter and submit your Apple Account credentials using the arrow buttons, then enter the two-factor authentication code sent to your devices.
sign-in-developer-account.jpg

Tap the top-left menu icon again, then tap Account.
[*]Accept the legal terms of the Apple Developer Agreement by scrolling down the page, checking the box, and tapping I Agree. You'll then be directed to a payment screen, but you can quit out of your browser from here – you don't need to pay anything.
install-ios-beta-2.jpg

Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 16.4 or later by going to Settings -> General -> Software Update. If it is, and you have just completed steps 1-5 to register a developer account, restart your iPhone. If it isn't, download and install the latest update to your device, then wait for it to restart.
[*]Now go back to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update.
[*]Tap Beta Updates. If you don't see the option, try switching off Download iOS Updates (Automatic Updates ➝ Download iOS Updates), then tap Back and it should appear.
[*]Select iOS 26 Developer Beta in the list, then tap Back.
Wait for the Software Update screen to check Apple's servers. When the iOS 26 Developer Beta appears, tap Download and Install, then follow t... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: How to Get the iOS 26 Developer Beta on Your iPhone
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/get-ios-26-developer-beta-iphone/
Josephhhhhhh said:
It’s running pretty well on my main device ◡̈
Click to expand...
No it doesn’t :) Crashing the whole thing, forcing it to reboot, running it on my iPad because 18.5 wasn’t good anyways

Edit: that is, when using the iPad as daily driver in combination with an external screen and smart keyboard plus Logitech mouse. Doesn’t work very well in 18.5, Os26 crashes completely every 10mins. Probably doesn’t happen when you’re only using it for browsing or occasionaly watching a youtube. But you’re all free to disagree of course and hail Apple ‘because it’s the best’.
 
Last edited:
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Can anyone confirm, that IPSW file from developer portal for iPhone 14 Pro Max can not be downloaded at the moment? Never had such problem. I can literally download any of them, but this one. It opens XML file with "Access Denied" text
 
I downloaded and installed the iPad beta. I just refinished reinstalling 18.5. I am not complaining about the glitches... I knew what I was getting myself into. A few observations...

Safari folders wouldn't open
A strange line across Safari
The liquid glass is a bit weird... sometimes I have to enter my passcode. With liquid glass I couldn't see the top row, probably because of my screen saver

I will wait until fall.
 
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My 12 mini is… running it. I’m loving the look and design, and after a few hours it’s no longer super heating, but it’s definitely a first Dev beta haha. I am legit surprised how much of the new features are available on my device. Even the spatial photo effect is working! Very slow, but it works!

My main apps are still working - Telegram and Discord - and Springboard has only had one respring so far.

Absolutely stoked for what it’ll be like on release!
 
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I really wanna try it out, but I’m always afraid of the complete havoc and rapid aging of the battery these cause. Not only is the thermal concerns when it gets very warm, but also the fact that you need to charge more (more charge cycles age it faster) because of the inefficiencies. Please tell me I’m wrong so I have permission to download
 
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Josephhhhhhh said:
It’s running pretty well on my main device ◡̈
Click to expand...
Same. When I first loaded up it stuttered in animations a bit, but it's smooth now. No crashes, all apps have worked fine. The only thing is the battery drain is worse than the current iOS. No biggie for me, I sit next to a charger in my office all day, so whatever. lol.
 
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dcingie said:
I really wanna try it out, but I’m always afraid of the complete havoc and rapid aging of the battery these cause. Not only is the thermal concerns when it gets very warm, but also the fact that you need to charge more (more charge cycles age it faster) because of the inefficiencies. Please tell me I’m wrong so I have permission to download
Click to expand...
source.gif
 
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cocky jeremy said:
Same. When I first loaded up it stuttered in animations a bit, but it's smooth now. No crashes, all apps have worked fine. The only thing is the battery drain is worse than the current iOS. No biggie for me, I sit next to a charger in my office all day, so whatever. lol.
Click to expand...
How much worse (approximately) is it, would you say?
 
Now that they have public betas I’m not sure why any non-developer would install a developer beta on their device. Surely you can wait until July for the public beta.
 
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Rogifan said:
Now that they have public betas I’m not sure why any non-developer would install a developer beta on their device. Surely you can wait until July for the public beta.
Click to expand...
I’m waiting for the general release in September, but eagerness for the newest shiny stuff is a real thing. I can totally understand why people do it. On the bright side more beta testers means better data for the developers, which is a win for everyone.
 
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vertsix said:
I'm on it. I don't recommend it. My 16PM can barely keep up at 80Hz with all the new animations and styling. Music app is especially bad. Battery life is noticeably worse but not as bad as I expected.
Click to expand...
I’d like to echo this. I was running it on a 16 Pro and it was always hot, full of bugs and a vampire on the battery.
 
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