iOS 26 Public Beta Appears Imminent Based on This Latest Hint

[MacRumors]

An anonymous leaker with a proven track record today shared alleged build numbers for the fourth developer betas of iOS 26 and more.

The private account on X has accurately leaked build numbers for Apple software updates in the past. We do not link to the account at the owner's request.

Here are all of the build numbers shared by the account today:

• iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beta 4 (23A5297i)
• macOS 26 beta 4 (25A5316i)
• tvOS 26 and HomePod Software 26 beta 4 (23J5316g)
• watchOS 26 beta 4 (23R5317g)
• visionOS 26 beta 4 (23M5300g)

The account often shares build numbers for betas around one day before they are released, so it is likely that the fourth developer betas of the updates listed above will be released this Tuesday, July 22. Then, the first public betas of the updates will likely follow by Wednesday, July 23, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. However, there will not be a visionOS 26 public beta, according to Apple's beta website.

Apple accidentally made the macOS 26 public beta available to some users for a brief period earlier today, and the build number for it was the same as the one listed above for the fourth developer beta of macOS 26. In other words, the first public betas will likely correspond with the fourth developer betas, as expected.

Apple previously announced that the public betas would be available in July, but it did not provide a more specific timeframe.

Apple is also planning to offer a public beta of its next major AirPods firmware update.

Anyone can sign up to be a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, for free, and gain access to the public betas when they are available. As always, we recommend backing up your devices before installing beta software, in case of issues.

Article Link: iOS 26 Public Beta Appears Imminent Based on This Latest Hint

 

[sniffies]

I mean, yeah, we all know it's imminent. Without any hints.

 

[jz0309]

Ok then, bring it on!

 

[mentaluproar]

I went to enroll my devices to be ready for this PB to land and it looks like you don't even have to do that anymore. nice!

 

[Kirkster]

Been running the Beta 3 for a week now, still a little buggy, but pretty solid overall, the multi windows takes a little bit to get used to. Overall I like the Liquid Glass theme.

 

[IceCool]

Can’t wait for beta 4…

I’m liking this new timeline change.

It makes way more sense to seed four developer betas at the typical 2 weeks apart and then the first public beta, rather than seeding the first three betas at 2 weeks, a revised third beta at 1 week, and then the first public beta.

One could argue that it’s different this year as they tweak and figure out the liquid glass effect, but I’m sure this is part of a revised seeding system to keep the OS less buggy, similar to the changes made in 2019.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

does public beta ship changes compared to dev beta usually?

 

[mxrider88]

Do they pull them on the same day or the day after?

 

[Slo Pesci]

So the public beta 1 will be the exact same as dev beta 3?

How's it running on the ipad?

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

What’s that private 𝕏 account? Don’t wanna be sued?

 

[B-Mc-C]

Not a great sign if the “i” build number is true. Beta 3 was a g build, so the public beta is even less stable.

 

[HailstormX]

OS26 has been really solid really enjoying the improvements and the stuff they are doing with Vision Pro has been great.

 

[B-Mc-C]

OS26 has been really solid really enjoying the improvements and the stuff they are doing with Vision Pro has been great.

Is this a serious post? It’s been widely known to be the worst series of betas in the history of iOS. Serious lag and glitchiness makes me so thankful I only installed it on my 15PM and not my main phone.

 

[CiP12]

Least obvious MacRumors post.

 

[svish]

Expecting to see a public beta within the next few days or latest by next week. Planning on installing it on one of my devices.

 

[iToph]

an i build??? Holy cow.

 

[contacos]

Will be interesting what they have done to liquid glass this time around. If it's still the same as on beta 3, Apple should probably update it's marketing material about iOS 26 soon

 

[applefan8254]

can we get multiple users? Thank you

 

[Lunarman25]

So the public beta 1 will be the exact same as dev beta 3?

How's it running on the ipad?

No beta 4

 

[Parowdy]

My latest hint:

They said it would come in July.
July is almost over.

 

[tomtad]

Expecting to see a public beta within the next few days or latest by next week. Planning on installing it on one of my devices.

It’s coming tomorrow

 

[johnalan]

I really hope they have done some work on Finder.

So much of the OS has seen serious work during the betas but the UI for Finder is still a mess.

Ugly artefacts when windows lose focus, floating window inconsistency etc.

I mean how many betas before the release, 8? I’m actually starting to get concerned they think the Finder in its current form is ready to go n

 

[fullauto]

Please have a slider for Liquid Glass shading, to make everyone happy, and not piss off 50% of the user base.

 

[klasma]

Do they pull them on the same day or the day after?

Depends on which time zone you’re in.

 

[Radeon85]

iOS 26 B3 has been pretty rock solid for me, with very few issues when it comes to stability. No OS crashes; the only app that has crashed, and quite regularly, is Candy Crush, so no big issue.

The one improvement I wish they would do is improve the laggy and stuttery UI. This is never an issue in apps, but the phone’s UI feels terrible to use and this is on a 16 PM. I know it’s a beta, so I expect issues, but iOS 18 B1 wasn’t even close to as bad as this. It is getting a little smoother on each release so that’s a good sign.