Apple has released the first beta of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 to developers, marking the beginning of the next testing cycle following yesterday’s public launch of iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1. The update can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or directly on compatible iPhones and iPads enrolled in the beta program.
At the time of writing, Apple has not shared detailed release notes for those updates, and it is not yet clear which changes or fixes are included in this build. This first developer beta is positioned as an early test release, so most of the discovery work will come from developers installing the update and checking for visible changes or under-the-hood improvements over the coming days.
Developers can install iOS 26.2 beta 1 by opening the Settings app, going to General > Software Update, and enabling the developer beta option on eligible iPhones that are signed in with a developer account. Once the device is enrolled, the update appears like any other iOS software update and can be downloaded and installed directly.
This new beta arrives very soon after iOS 26.1 in which Apple introduced the new Liquid Glass tint customization option across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, along with several fixes to Calendar and Live Activities.
iOS 26.2 beta 1 is currently limited to the Apple Developer Program. A public beta is likely to follow later, giving users in the Apple Beta Software Program an opportunity to try the update before its general release. Until then, this first build is aimed squarely at developers who need to test their apps and workflows against the upcoming version of iOS.
As with any pre-release software, Apple advises that betas should not be installed on primary devices due to potential bugs, reduced performance, or unexpected app behavior. Users who rely on their iPhone for day-to-day work or critical tasks should wait for the final version or, at minimum, a later beta that has had more time in testing.
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