On July 24, 2025, Apple threw open the doors to its public beta program for nearly every corner of its software ecosystem—iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 are all now available for early adopters to try out. This marks the first chance for non‑developer Apple fans to take the next-generation features—most notably a fresh design language Apple calls Liquid Glass—for a spin ahead of the expected general release this fall.

Whether you’re itching to test the translucency effects on your iPhone, or curious how the new UI plays out on the Mac, here’s everything you need to know about what’s new, how to install the betas, and whether you should dive in now or wait until September.

At the heart of these updates lies Liquid Glass, a translucent design material first previewed at WWDC 2025 and inspired by the shimmering interfaces of visionOS. Think of it as a high‑tech frosted window: backgrounds gently refract colors and light, controls float with subtle depth, and app icons take on a dewy glow that dynamically shifts with your content.

This is Apple’s most ambitious visual overhaul since iOS 7’s introduction of flat design back in 2013. Across Control Center panels, notification cards, and floating toolbars, you’ll notice layers of translucency that let you glimpse your wallpaper or underlying apps—an effect meant to keep the focus on your content, while adding a delightful sense of motion and life.

In a nod to the automobile industry’s year‑model convention, Apple has simplified its version numbers: every major platform now ends in “26” to clearly signal the software’s model year. This means, for instance, that iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS all share the same numerical badge. No more hunting for “18.4” vs. “15.6”—if it ends in 26, you’re looking at the latest release. It’s a small change, but one that could save a surprising amount of head‑scratching when you check for updates.

iOS 26

• Group messaging upgrades: Custom chat backgrounds, in‑chat polls, and live typing indicators bring fresh life to group texts.
• Phone app overhaul: “Hold Assist” can keep you on hold automatically, plus built‑in call screening saves you from telemarketers.
• Live translation: Powered by Apple Intelligence, you’ll get on‑device, real‑time translation during calls, Messages, and FaceTime.
• Apple Intelligence smarts: Visual Intelligence lets you interact with on‑screen elements (like copying text out of images), while Genmoji fuses emoji to reflect your mood.
• New Games app: A one‑stop hub for updates, Apple Arcade titles, your game library, and multiplayer invites.

iPadOS 26

• Mirrors many of iOS 26’s changes, but optimized for multitasking on larger screens. The floating widgets and transparency effects make split‑view and Stage Manager feel more immersive.

macOS Tahoe 26

• Liquid Glass in the Finder: Sidebar and toolbar translucency bring the Mac desktop into the era of dynamic depth.
• Enhanced Spotlight: Now with richer previews and “Live” results that update as you type.
• Universal control enhancements: Smoother drag‑and‑drop between Macs and iPads, with new visual cues to show where your cursor will land.

watchOS 26

• Watch faces & complications: New Liquid Glass‑inspired faces, plus complications with real‑time animations.
• Health insights: Deeper analysis of heart rhythms using on‑device AI, and a redesigned Workout app interface.

tvOS 26

• Home screen makeover: Transparent overlays on the top carousel, plus subtle parallax effects that respond to your Siri Remote’s gyroscope.
• Enhanced search: AI‑powered suggestions for shows and movies, including cross‑platform watchlist sync with Apple TV+.

How to install the public betas

Important: Betas can be unstable. Back up your device before proceeding, and consider installing on a secondary device if possible.

1. Enroll in the public beta program: Visit Apple’s Beta Software Program at beta.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Install on iPhone / iPad
   • Open Settings → General → Software Update.
   • Tap Beta Updates and select iOS 26 Public Beta or iPadOS 26 Public Beta.
   • Hit Download & Install and follow the prompts.
3. Install on Mac
   • Open System Settings → General → Software Update.
   • Click the ℹ️ icon next to Beta Updates.
   • From the dropdown, choose macOS Tahoe 26 Public Beta and click Done.
4. Install on Apple Watch & Apple TV
   • On iPhone: Open the Watch app → General → Software Update → Beta to install watchOS 26.
   • On Apple TV: Go to Settings → System → Software Updates → Get Public Beta Updates for tvOS 26.

If you thrive on the cutting edge and don’t mind the occasional crash or glitch, the Liquid Glass betas offer a tantalizing glimpse at Apple’s UI future. But if your device is mission-critical—especially your primary iPhone or work Mac—it might be wise to hang back until the official September rollout. Battery drain, app incompatibilities, and random reboots remain real possibilities in early betas.

After this summer’s public betas, expect a steady cadence of updates—each refining transparency levels, smoothing out bugs, and adjusting legibility based on user feedback. Final, polished releases of iOS 26 and friends are slated for September 2025, just in time for Apple’s usual autumn device announcements.