Apple Unveils iOS 26 Beta: Boldest iPhone Redesign in Over a Decade Now Open for Public Preview

Apple has officially launched the public beta of iOS 26, offering iPhone users an early look at the company’s most significant interface overhaul since iOS 7 in 2013.

Now available for public testing, the iOS 26 beta gives users a chance to explore the redesigned system ahead of its official release this fall. To participate, users can register through Apple’s beta program website, then head to their device settings under General > Software Update > Beta Updates to install the preview.

Dubbed the “Liquid Glass” interface, the new design introduces fluid, translucent buttons and animated transitions, giving the iPhone a more dynamic and modern look. This visual shift is part of Apple’s strategy to refresh the user experience across all devices, including iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, which are also getting the same design treatment.

In addition to the visual revamp, the Phone app has been reworked to merge call history and voicemails into a single view. Enhanced spam filtering tools have also been integrated to help block unwanted calls and messages.

While major updates to Siri’s AI capabilities—teased back in 2024—are still in development and expected no earlier than 2026, iOS 26 introduces new AI-powered features. These include real-time translation within iMessage and FaceTime, as well as visual search tools that allow users to identify and shop for items by highlighting them in screenshots.

Each year, Apple rolls out a major iOS update following its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Developers and early adopters test the software during the summer, helping to identify bugs and refine features. The finalized version is typically released in the fall alongside new iPhone models, when it becomes widely available through automatic updates.