To install the public beta, you'll need to enroll your Apple Account in the Apple Beta Software Program. Once you do, open Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. Choose "iOS 26 Public Beta," then tap Back. iOS will load the beta, and you'll be able to hit Update Now when it's ready.

If you’re looking for the iOS 26 beta 5 download expected release date, here’s what you need to know as an iPhone or iPad user.

Updated on Thursday, July 24 at 3:40 p.m. ET — Well, it's now official: you can now sign up for the iOS 26 beta. Apple officially opened the beta program for the upcoming version of iOS, set to release this fall. You can read our original article about this topic below.

OS 26 isn't quite ready to launch yet, but we're far enough along in the testing process that Apple is seeding the update out to millions

Apple announced iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 and released iOS 17.6 more than a month later in July. That update was filled with more than 30 important bug fixes and security patches but no new features. Apple recommended that everyone download the update at the time and it was the last major iOS 17 update before the release of iOS 18 .

WWDC is on the horizon, which will be Apple's venue to announce upcoming changes to iOS 19.Here's what we want Apple to include as part of the iPhone OS refresh.