iOS 26 Beta 6 Download Available for iPhone & iPad
Apple has released iOS 26 beta 6 for iPhone and iPadOS 26 beta 5 for iPad. If it seems like they had just updated new betas not long ago you’d be right, as the sixth betas arrive just a week after the fifth, indicating an acceleration in beta development as the fall deadline for final release nears. As usual, the build typically arrives first for developers, and the same build is typically matched soon after by a public beta release.
iOS 26 features the new Liquid Glass interface appearance scheme which is continuing to be refined throughout the beta process, but overall is much shinier and more translucent than before, along with some new features and changes like the inclusion of custom background wallpapers in Messages app, polling in Messages group chats, Phone app improvements, Carplay improvements, improvements to Shortcuts and Apple Intelligence, new ringtone options, new wallpapers, and the iPad gains new windowed multitasking capabilities along with the Preview app and more.
Anyone can install the iOS 26 beta or iPadOS 26 beta onto their eligible devices using either the developer beta or public beta, but generally speaking beta system software is only appropriate for advanced users.
Separately, Apple has also released macOS Tahoe 26 beta 6, watchOS 26 beta 6, tvOS 26 beta 6, and visionOS 26 beta 6.
How to Download & Install iOS 26 Beta 6 or iPadOS 26 Beta 6
As usual, backup iPhone or iPad to iCloud first before installing any system update:
- Open the “Settings” app iPhone or iPad
- Choose “General” and then “Software Update”
- Choose to “Download & Install” for iOS 26 beta 6 / iPadOS 26 beta 6
Your device will restart to complete installation.
The latest beta build includes some new ringtones, along with continued refinements to the Liquid Glass appearance. Some users report the 6th beta feels faster as well. Apple usually goes through several beta builds before issuing a final version.
If you are running betas of other system software, don’t forget to get the latest beta 6 build of macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
Apple has said the final versions of iOS 26 for iPhone and iPadOS 26 for iPad will be available to all users and out of beta this fall.
