iOS 26 Beta 8 Download Available for iPhone & iPad
Apple has released iOS 26 beta 8 for iPhone and iPadOS 26 beta 8 for iPad. The new beta build has arrived to developers first, and a public beta version is likely soon to follow.
Separately, Apple released MacOS Tahoe 26 beta 8 along with beta 8 for the rest of the OS 26 suite. The 8th beta is historically often the final beta version in major system software testing cycles for Apple before a release candidate build, and it’s possible this applies here too. Apple has previously stated that iOS 26, and the rest of the OS 26 lineup, will be released this fall.
iOS 26 includes a new shiny and translucent Liquid Glass interface appearance scheme that offers new icon customization options along with new wallpapers, a revamped lock screen, custom backgrounds in Messages app, group chat polling in Messages, Phone app improvements, CarPlay enhancements, imporvements to Apple Intelligence, new ringtone options, Preview app, and more. For iPadOS 26 all the same is included, along with new multitasking capabilities and windowing of apps, along with an iPad menubar that is Mac-esque.
Any advanced user can install iOS 26 beta on iPhone or iPadOS 26 beta on iPad, though this is generally not recommended for most people.
How to Download & Install iOS 26 Beta 8 / iPadOS 26 Beta 8
Backup iPhone/iPad to iCloud and your local computer before starting a system software update. A local backup allows you to downgrade iOS 26 beta if you choose to.
- Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
- Select “General” and then go to “Software Update”
- Choose to “Download & Install” for iOS 26 beta 8 / iPadOS 26 beta 8
Installation requires the device to restart.
Apple usually releases new iOS versions around the same time a new iPhone launches, providing a rough timeline for when users can expect the final iOS 26 release to be available to the broader public. Apple has previously said that iOS 26 will be released in the fall, along with macOS Tahoe 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.
