iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe Public Betas Launching in July

[MacRumors]

While the new software updates that Apple showed off today are only available to developers at the current time, Apple does plan to release public betas.

In the fine print for most of its software announcements, Apple says that public betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 will be coming "next month," aka July. Apple has been releasing public betas during July for quite some time now, as the timeline allows for a few rounds of developer beta testing for feature refinements before a wider beta rollout.

So when in July will we get the public beta? Here are Apple's past release dates:

• iOS 18 - July 15
• iOS 17 - July 12
• iOS 16 - July 11
• iOS 15 - June 30
• iOS 14 - July 9

Apple tends to aim for around the middle of the month, so we could get the public betas the week of June 14, but the week before is a possibility too. The public beta usually follows the second or third developer beta, depending on timing and what needs to be fixed and refined.

Apple will provide public betas of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, HomePod Software 26, and the AirPods firmware. Apple doesn't typically provide beta firmware updates for public beta testers, but the company's beta website says it will be an option. Apple doesn't plan to offer a visionOS public beta, and that update will remain limited to developers.

After the developer beta and the public beta testing period, the new software updates will see a public launch in the fall.

Article Link: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe Public Betas Launching in July

 

[It’s always something]

I probably won’t do the beta, as much as I’d love to see all the cool newness asap. Do we know the general release date window yet, by chance?

 

[poematik13]

its that time of the year again where every other article on every apple site is about beta updates

 

[m1mini]

Already downloaded it on my brothers old 11 pro, home screen is choppy for the first 20 minutes.

App store quits unexpectedly, but apps tell you when they quit unexpectedly. Its a mac like dialog box

 

[marinersaptcomplex]

Do we know the general release date window yet, by chance?

AFAIK, the same mid-to-late September dates are probably most likely for OS 26--haven't heard anything that would suggest that pattern has changed

 

[It’s always something]

AFAIK, the same mid-to-late September dates are probably most likely for OS 26--haven't heard anything that would suggest that pattern has changed

Thank you!

3 to 3.5 months of beta envy… I can do this 👍🤪

 

[Yamcha]

Really wishing I had a Mac about now. Mac OS Tahoe looks amazing.

 

[Skb3735]

June 14? Writing error there

 

[Markwebbvt]

On Dev 1: Glass is fugly.

 

[n00boflife]

June 14? Writing error there

Yep, July 14 not “so we could get the public betas the week of June 14”

 

[winxmac]

Already downloaded it on my brothers old 11 pro, home screen is choppy for the first 20 minutes.

App store quits unexpectedly, but apps tell you when they quit unexpectedly. Its a mac like dialog box

Thank you for your sacrifice. I'll keep my iPhone 11 Pro Max on iOS 17.7

 

[neomorpheus]

Will admit, I’m impressed with what they showed.

Lets see how it goes when its released.

And its time to sell this trusty iPad Pro 3rd gen .

 

[Blackstick]

Appleseed for IT here.

It’s definitely a new look. iPad feels much like a MacBook if you’ve got a keyboard/trackpad style Smart Cover. Spooky. App Store is understandably unstable. When apps crash they invoke crash reporter, like a Mac. This is shockingly close to macOS on an iPad. They basically ported it.

macOS looks quite glassy. It does feel like a Vision Pro interface much of the time. Lots of emphasis on round-rects. There’s a retro feeling aqua vibe to it, almost like a modern take on 2002 era OSX Jaguar.

 

[AppleRocks2011]

Installed it on my iPad mini (6th gen). I am so pleasantly surprised. It’s relatively stable so far, and it gives this iPad multitasking! Otherwise, pretty good for a first build, but we all know how this goes. Things can change so quickly.

 

[one more]

“While the new software updates that Apple showed off today are only available to developers at the current time, Apple does plan to release public betas.”

Well, considering that everybody can have Apple’s free developer account, everybody can install a beta right now. I don’t even know why Apple still bother splitting betas into DB and PB. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Installed a beta yesterday on my spare iPhone 11. Mixed feelings so far, will need to use it a bit more.

 

[yabeweb]

On Dev 1: Glass is fugly.

I think it needs to be toned down a bit, may be frosted glass.

I mean it looks cool but I wonder usability in the long run.

 

[CraigJDuffy]

I think it needs to be toned down a bit, may be frosted glass.

I mean it looks cool but I wonder usability in the long run.

It is SO ugly right now.

 

[foobarbaz]

I don’t even know why Apple still bother splitting betas into DB and PB.

Because they don’t want all the complaining from naive users installing beta 1. It’s a huge risk installing these on a real phone that you depend upon. Next month the number of potential problems will be more acceptable.

 

[Dolmio]

Really excited for iPad OS 26 , might finally be able to just take the iPad on its own on a trip and not stress about not having a computer 🙃 CarPlay also looks nice the most annoying thing was phone calls coming in just when I was needing to concentrate on following the map so glad that’s sorted

 

[SanderEvers]

On Dev 1: Glass is fugly.

Everytime a company makes a drastic UI change people are getting mad about it. It's very natural, change is difficult.

To me tbh, I thing the liquid glass looks fine. It's not that much of a change. But it's nicely integrated across all OSes.

 

[Marshall73]

Using a touch pad on the iPad is better now with a pointer rather than the circle but the highlight rounded square when you mouse over a button in apps like safari looks weird. Looks better in photos but it is still wonky.

 

[applefan8254]

Can we get multiple users please? Thank you

 

[fullauto]

Looks great on iPad Pro 12.9” and MacBook Air. Resisting the urge to download on daily driver iPhone.

The bottom glass bar in Apple Music looks amazing with the cover art flowing through.

Glass widgets on macOS desktop look stellar.

No landscape wallpaper or screensavers for Tahoe as yet.

I thought/hoped there would be ‘more glass’. It’s a great effect!

Glass icons, I felt my brain malfunction for a moment and then looked for symbols over colour.

iPadOS is great with multiple windows but will take a moment to get used to. It’s still iPadOS.

The new system menus, sidebar design, on their own semi glass panel, with background window edging behind, certainly feels more layered from their previous flat design.

 

[svish]

Might download the public beta this year and try it instead of waiting till September. Cannot wait to try it out.

 

[TechRunner]

My iPad Mini 7 isn't part of my daily workflow, so I'm tempted to download and dabble. I'll wait for a few more adventurers to post their experiences before I decide.