iOS 26 Beta 9 Download Available for iPhone & iPad
iOS 26 beta 9 has been released by Apple for iPhone, along with iPadOS 26 beta 9 for iPad, MacOS Tahoe 26 beta 9, and other OS 26 beta 9 updates for the rest of the Apple device suite. New betas typically arrive for developers first and the same build is released for public beta users soon after.
iOS 26 features a new translucenct and shiny interface appearance called Liquid Glass, new icon cusdtomizations, new wallpapers, a redesigned lock screen, new ringtone options, group chat polling and custom backgrounds in Messages app, Phone app improvements, enhancements to CarPlay, enhancements to Apple Intelligence, Preview app for iPhone and iPad, and more. iPadOS 26 includes the same features for iPad but also a new multitasking system and app windowing, a menubar, and the Phone app arrives on iPad too.
The final version of iOS 26 for iPhone and iPadOS 26 for iPad is set to be released this fall, according to Apple. Users who want to get an earlier experience with the new operating systems can install iOS 26 beta on iPhone or iPadOS 26 beta on iPad, but most people would be better served waiting for the final version to be released in the coming weeks.
How to Download & Install iOS 26 Beta 9 / iPadOS 26 Beta 9
Backup your iPhone or iPad to iCloud as well as a local computer before starting a beta update. Local backups allow you to downgrade iOS 26 beta and preserve your data, if you decide to roll back.
- Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
- Go to “General” and then go to “Software Update”
- Select “Download & Install” for iOS 26 beta 9 / iPadOS 26 beta 9
Your device will need to restart to complete installation.
As this is the 9th beta version, and an Apple event is scheduled for next week presumably to launch a new iPhone, it’s reasonable to assume this is at or near the final beta version before a release candidate build is issued. Apple has only said that the OS 26 suite will be released this fall, but it’s a high likelihood that that we’ll get precise release dates next week at the Apple event, so stay tuned.
Separately, beta 9 updates for macOS Tahoe 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 are also available for beta testers.
