iOS 26 Public Beta Release Date: Exactly When Apple's iPhone Software Will Go Live

Forbes

2 days ago

Updated July 21 with further details of exactly when the new iPhone software will reach public beta.
Apple announced the next big iPhone software back in June, set to go on general release this fall. It's called iOS 26 and its new design has made it highly anticipated. If you're keen to try iOS 26, it's about to become available in the first public beta – and more information has now come to light. Here's what's happening.
Apple iOS 26 coming soon
Apple announced in June that the release of iOS 26 would first appear as developer betas as usual, with the first public beta set for July. When it reaches general release it will be on the 2025 releases, iPhone 17 series, as well the iPhone 16 sereis and some earlier models.
That's the normal schedule, though the public beta routinely arrives around the middle of the month — so the week beginning Monday, July 14 seemed most likely. That's come and gone, of course, but it looks like this week could be the one we're waiting for.
In the latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman addressed the question. He had already posted on X that the public beta would land around Wednesday, July 23. Now, he has expanded on this reasoning.
'All indications are that iOS 26 should go into the public beta phase this coming week. This typically happens by the middle of July, so the software is a bit later than usual. Given that iOS 26 is such a significant design overhaul, it makes sense that Apple would want to take a little extra time to get things right,' Gurman said.
And there's another reason things seem to be running a little late, which is that instead of using the third developer beta as the basis for the public beta, which is the usual one, 'It seems likely that this public beta will match up with the fourth developer beta version,' this time, Gurman goes on.
This means that although it's a little later, it'll be based on a more stable release, assuming Apple is improving its beta software with each release.
Since this is for public use, better software will be welcome. There have been tweaks to the Liquid Glass design which is the marquee feature in iOS 26, so maybe developer beta 4/public beta 1, will have something closer to the final look.
iOS 26 Public Beta Release Date
This week looks most likely: Apple said July and after this week, there are only three days in July left.
I believe it will be released the day after the fourth developer beta, so if that lands on Monday, July 21, the public beta will be Tuesday, July 22.
Gurman's proposed date of July 23 is also possible, but keep an eye out for dev beta news on Monday. I'll be updating the news, so please check back.
Updating this post on Monday, July 21, I can see there's greater clarity of what's happening. I know, it's unusual to make a prediction based on something that hasn't happened, but there's been no fourth developer beta yet. I don't believe it will come today, which makes me think that Tuesday will see the release of the fourth developer beta, which forms the basis for the first public beta.
It's theoretically possible that the public beta could land on the same day as the latest developer beta, but I don't buy it. Much more likely is that the public beta will follow the next day, Wednesday, 23 July, exactly as Gurman predicted, or just possibly on Thursday, 24 July, depending on whether there are any last-minute hiccups.
Remember, this developer beta cycle began with an unprecedented re-release of the first beta, just days after the initial release.
What About The General Release?
The expectation of a September release remains in place. 'Does that mean the final software will ultimately ship later than expected,' Gurman asks, adding, 'Probably not, since the developer versions remain on track.'