Apple wrapped up WWDC 25 earlier this week, and the very first developer beta of iOS 26 is now here. This early release gives developers (and the most impatient enthusiasts) their first hands-on encounter with features the company previewed on stage at Apple Park: a major redesign and AI upgrades for the iPhone software.
The biggest new feature is Liquid Glass, Apple’s new cohesive design language across all its devices, with a transparent, lenslike aesthetic. Live Translation is integrated into Messages and FaceTime to help you communicate across languages. Call Screening, an evolution of Live Voicemail, picks up unknown numbers on your behalf, asks why callers are calling, and shows a live transcript so you can decide whether to jump in or let it roll to voicemail. Its sidekick, Hold Assist, listens to the hold music for you and pings you the instant a real person comes on the line. And there’s a lot more.
By jumping straight from iOS 18 to iOS 26, Apple is syncing its mobile OS naming with the rest of its platforms and signaling a generational leap rather than the usual annual tune-up. This update feels like the largest OS overhaul since iOS 7, providing enhancements to almost every part of iPhone.
If you want to try out any of these features, you can do so right now. Here’s how you can download iOS 26.
A Quick Warning Before You Download iOS 26
Yes, the iOS 26 developer beta is free, but remember it’s meant for developers, not day-to-day use. Early builds can carry bugs that might crash apps, drain your battery, overheat your phone, or generally make your device feel sluggish. Unless you need to test software against Apple’s next release, it’s smarter to stick with the public beta, which will be available next month for your main iPhone.
Which iPhone Models Support iOS 26?
As long as you own an iPhone 11 or newer, you can download iOS 26. That means the iPhone XR/XS generation is out, while every A13 Bionic handset onward, including the forthcoming iPhone 17 models, are eligible. Here’s the full list of compatible models that can run iOS 26:
Apple Intelligence works only on compatible phones, which include any iPhone 16 model and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
What You Need to Know Before You Download the iOS 26 Developer Beta
Before you get too excited and start installing the iOS 26 developer beta, there are a few things you need to do:
- Check Your Hardware First: This beta runs only on iPhone 11 and newer. To access the headline Apple Intelligence features, you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, or anything in the forthcoming iPhone 17 lineup.
- Update to the Latest Public Release: Ensure your phone is on the most current stable build (currently iOS 18.5) to avoid potential issues that arise from updating with outdated software.
- Have a Good Wi-Fi Connection: A strong Wi-Fi connection is crucial for a seamless installation.
- Have Enough Space on Your Phone: You need at least 15GB of space to download the iOS 26 developer beta.
- Archive a Backup: A standard iCloud backup can be overwritten; create one that can’t. Connect your iPhone to a Mac, open Finder, select your device, click Back Up Now, go to Manage Backups, right-click the new backup, and select Archive. On Windows, it’s similarâ€â€open iTunes, click Back Up Now, find the backup in Preferences, and archive it.
- Know the Escape Hatch: If the beta breaks your phone, you may need to enter Recovery Mode, restore iOS 18.5, and then pull that archived backup back onto the device.
Once you’ve followed these steps, you’re ready to go.
How to Install the iOS 26 Developer Beta on Your iPhone
Apple now allows anyone to install developer betas without paying the $99 annual fee. To do this, visit the Apple Developer site on the device you plan to update, open the ☰ menu, select Account, and sign in with that device’s Apple ID. Agree to the terms, tick the required boxes, and hit Submit. You may also need to enable Developer Mode in Settings > Privacy and Security.
Now, you can install the iOS 26 developer beta as an over-the-air update:
- Once you’ve signed up for the Apple Developer Program, the option to download the iOS 26 developer beta should appear in your settings.
- Open Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates on your device, and select iOS 26 Developer Beta.
- Tap Download and Install under the new “iOS 26 Developer Beta” option that appears.
Finally, enter your passcode, accept the terms and conditions, and let the installation proceed. With a decent Wi-Fi connection, downloading and rebooting should take about 10 to 15 minutes, though that may vary. Once your iPhone powers back on, you’ll be running the iOS 26 developer beta.