iOS 26 is fast approaching, and Apple continues to release beta versions. The public beta 5 is now available, which corresponds to the 8th developer beta. There is a good chance this will be the last trial version before the anticipated release in mid-September.
As a reminder, iOS 26 is expected to be deployed alongside the iPhone 17 range and will be natively available on these smartphones. While Apple has not yet announced the official presentation date, some clear indications point to mid-September. This is because it aligns with the usual timeline of the Cupertino company.
How to Install Beta 5 of iOS 26 on Your iPhone
With the launch of public beta 4, we now have beta 5. As the name suggests, it is accessible to all users. To do so, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update after enabling public beta permissions. Registration is free; you simply need to use your Apple ID to sign in at this link. Once your iPhone is registered, the update option will automatically appear in settings.
It’s worth noting that Cupertino continues to offer more developer betas than public betas. This is significant because the developer betas largely shape the user experience with applications tailored to this ecosystem, especially with the Liquid Glass design.
As for the update content, iOS 26 has introduced some exciting new features:
- New ringtones
- Faster animations
- The return of the “Select” button in Mail
- AI-driven notification summaries are back
- The draft section in Messages
- Liquid Glass has been refined after numerous adjustments to transparency
iOS 26 promises significant improvements, including the native availability of ChatGPT-5. Additionally, we are also expecting iPadOS 26, which is launching its public beta 5. The Cupertino tablets will also receive exciting features.
We now await the iPhone 17 keynote in early September. At that time, Apple will provide more information on what to expect from iOS 26 following all the hints given by the betas. We also hope to discover which smartphones will feature this Liquid Glass design, which contrasts sharply with the current aesthetic.
However, if you are testing iOS 26 in beta, make sure to perform a complete backup before updating. There are bugs and stability risks, and some applications may not function correctly. Apple emphasizes this in the guidelines for the beta program.
