Just a week after the public rollout of its latest operating systems, Apple has seeded the first betas of watchOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 to developers. The updates arrive alongside the first betas in Apple’s next testing cycle: iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1.
Developers with registered Apple IDs can now download the new builds on supported devices. watchOS 26.1 beta 1 is build 23S5002i, tvOS 26.1 beta 1 is build 23J5543j, and visionOS 26.1 beta 1 is build 23N5013j. As is typical for the first round of point updates after a major release, these betas focus on fixing early bugs, improving stability, and refining performance across Apple’s platforms.
watchOS 26 introduced several new features, including the Liquid Glass redesign, the long-awaited Notes app, a wrist flick gesture for faster navigation, and Apple Intelligence integration on supported models. It is not yet clear what new features watchOS 26.1 will introduce. Apple often reserves smaller improvements and delayed features for these point updates, so developers will be looking closely at the build in the coming days.
tvOS 26.1 beta 1 is expected to focus on bug fixes, performance improvements, and refinements to the major changes that shipped with tvOS 26. Apple TV users who installed the latest update last week gained access to a redesigned interface with Liquid Glass, a revamped TV app, new AirPlay speaker improvements, support for using an iPhone as a microphone in Apple Music Sing, and new screensavers. Apple may also use the cycle to prepare for new Apple TV+ content launches during the fall season, which typically coincide with software refinements.
visionOS 26.1 beta 1 is also expected to have multiple bug fixes rather than flashy new features. visionOS 26 introduced spatial widgets, a revamped personas feature, spatial scenes, PS VR2 controller support, and a new Jupiter environment. Still, testers are looking into the new beta and will report back if any new features or noteworthy tidbits are found.
Public beta versions of watchOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 are expected soon, offering non-developers a chance to preview the updates before final release later this year. Apple advises against installing betas on primary devices, since unresolved issues may still affect stability, battery life, or app performance.
