iOS 26 Beta 4 ― Bug Fixes, Changes, and Improvements

[ps4db]

Can anyone use stickers or type in text on the screen during FaceTime video call? I seem to be missing that functionality.

 

[crookadile]

On my iPhone 11, it's there immediately (assuming you mean the double arrow icon thingy bottom right) even if it's the first time I've opened the camera since a reboot.

It’s there immediately on my iPhone 11 also.

 

[nortonandreev]

 

[jpdunn13]

It’s certainly interesting that those having the worst of the problems are mostly on the latest hardware.

I have occasional stutters here and there but for the most part, my 15PM doesn’t feel like I’m on a beta. Just wish they’d bring back the glassy elements of B1.

I’m having a good experience on b4 with my 16+. The only app i see stutters in is Words with Friends and I tend to blame the app developer for that.

 

[nortonandreev]

 

[iLuddite]

Thanks for the detailed breakdown! It’s great to see Apple continuing to fine-tune iOS 26 with each beta. Some of the bug fixes in Beta 4 really improve stability — especially the smoother app switching and better battery optimization. I also noticed a few UI tweaks that make things feel more polished overall. Still hoping for more control over lock screen widgets in the final release, but this update definitely feels like a step in the right direction. Appreciate the insights!

Thanks, ChatGPT! 😍

 

[tyrnnsrs]

I was thinking of test driving the iOS beta this week. I also have a watch, should I update that to the watchOS beta as well for optimal compatibility?

 

[teeshot44]

I was thinking of test driving the iOS beta this week. I also have a watch, should I update that to the watchOS beta as well for optimal compatibility?

Only if you remember that the watch can’t be restored.

 

[hovscorpion12]

I was thinking of test driving the iOS beta this week. I also have a watch, should I update that to the watchOS beta as well for optimal compatibility?

Personally, i'd stick with iOS beta [next week's Beta 5]. WatchOS can't be downgraded.

 

[dsdevries]

It still bugs me to see all this wasted space on the home screen. PLUS it seems that they’ve made the dock even bigger in beta 4. I wish they would allow for more customization in this area. (B1 left, B4 right)

View attachment 2531232

I fully agree with this. We have a way to fully customize home screens and place icons wherever we want for years already, if they would just allow icons to be placed on homescreens multiple times across several screens, or add a way to extend an app icon across multiple screens, we would not need a dock anymore. We could just create our own dock down the bottom, or anywhere on the screen actually.
Then the dots can be moved down to the bottom and you would have room for a whole extra row of icons or widgets.

 

[joshwithachance]

I'm not sure what you're talking about. My iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPad Pro 2018 are running just fine. Great, in fact.

Runs perfect on my 16PM …

I guess we have very different definitions of "great" and "perfect". Because it's a janky, stuttering mess in my opinion.

 

[Travis299]

I was thinking of test driving the iOS beta this week. I also have a watch, should I update that to the watchOS beta as well for optimal compatibility?

16P + Apple Watch 10, both on iOS 26 public B4 & no problems.

 

[TNman]

delete

 

[LutzRFrank]

Sandisk does NOT connect to USB-C port with (23A5297m) and it did before update. Sandisk works a-ok on laptop USB-A port. Sandisk is used for file X-fer between iPhone & laptop.

View attachment 2532647

using several of these LEXAR without issues here

 

[hutzi20]

I am using the SanDisk Dual Drive Luxe (it’s the metal version) without any issues.

 

[Séamus Boyle]

I’m on 15 pro, beta 4 and my phone has been running great. Only issue is one of my mag safe battery packs keeps connecting and disconnecting. Other than that, really nothing crazy except some lag here and there. All my apps have worked since day 1 of the first beta. I have Apple Intelligence and everything turned on too.

 

[jameseld82]

I don’t know if this is a bug but my photo collection doesn’t stay in the order I put them. They revert back to standard as soon as I leave the app.

 

[COBRASVT]

Runs perfect on my 16PM …

Other than some connectivity loss that's better, but still there... mine too.

 

[Caly]

I'm having a bug that doesn't notify me of missed calls.
I'm currently on iOS 26 PB.
Anyone else?
15 PM

 

[ghostface147]

Annoying how my watch’s volume gets maxed out from time to time. I have to go to the watch app on iOS 26 to fix it.

 

[TexasAggie013]

Annoying how my watch’s volume gets maxed out from time to time. I have to go to the watch app on iOS 26 to fix it.

I’ve experienced this from time to time as well. It’s been a trick one to reproduce. Still haven’t figured out what triggers the volume change.

 

[Itsedstech]

Besides having to swipe 3-4 times to bring down Notification Center, this beta has been solid

 

[Anonymebaba]

I really dont understand. I have upgraded from 18.5 to 26 Public Beta and my 16PM is literally unusable : stutters everywhere, in stock apps and light apps I use such as Pokémon. Safari is so stuttery my phone is now behaving like a 100$ android phone like the other guy said. Enabling "Reduce Transparency" setting didn't help

 

[Project Alice]

I really dont understand. I have upgraded from 18.5 to 26 Public Beta and my 16PM is literally unusable : stutters everywhere, in stock apps and light apps I use such as Pokémon. Safari is so stuttery my phone is now behaving like a 100$ android phone like the other guy said. Enabling "Reduce Transparency" setting didn't help

Did you try restarting your phone? Seriously. Do that and after you unlock it, let it sit like 10 to 20 minutes. If it still does it restore it I guess.
I'm running 26 on a second gen SE, which is much slower than your 16PM. It runs fine. No slower than 17 or 18 was on it. Sometimes weird crap happens. If a reboot doesn't fix it, a restore will.

 

[Intelmaster]

Anyone got a working Camera Control
Button with zooming in the refreshed Beta 4 ? For me pressing to shoot is ok, but zooming with the sliding feature is broken.