How to download iOS 26 developer beta on iPhone: See what’s inside

iOS 26 brings striking system-wide redesign built around Liquid Glass, a translucent material, and more to offer enhanced experience
An undated image of iOS 26 interface. — Apple
An undated image of iOS 26 interface. — Apple

Apple has launched the first iOS 26 beta to developers at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2025, alongside other major announcements.

In the WWDC 2025 event, the Cupertino-based tech giant revealed that iOS 26 comes with a striking system-wide redesign built around Liquid Glass, a translucent material that reflects and refracts ambient content and dynamically responds to user input.

iOS 26 brings a new Games app as a central hub for mobile gaming, which features a unified library, Apple Arcade support, event tracking, and friend status updates.

iOS 26 compatible devices

iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. Gadinsider has compiled a list of iPhone models, compatible with iOS 26.

  1. iPhone 16e
  2. iPhone 16
  3. iPhone 16 Plus
  4. iPhone 16 Pro
  5. iPhone 16 Pro Max
  6. iPhone 15
  7. iPhone 15 Plus
  8. iPhone 15 Pro
  9. iPhone 15 Pro Max
  10. iPhone 14
  11. iPhone 14 Plus
  12. iPhone 14 Pro
  13. iPhone 14 Pro Max
  14. iPhone 13
  15. iPhone 13 mini
  16. iPhone 13 Pro
  17. iPhone 13 Pro Max
  18. iPhone 12
  19. iPhone 12 mini
  20. iPhone 12 Pro
  21. iPhone 12 Pro Max
  22. iPhone 11
  23. iPhone 11 Pro
  24. iPhone 11 Pro Max
  25. iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

How to download iOS 26 developer beta

  • Open Safari on your iPhone and visit developer.apple.com.
  • Tap the menu icon in the top-left corner of the page, then tap Account.
  • Under "Sign in to Apple Developer," enter and submit your Apple Account credentials using the arrow buttons, then enter the two-factor authentication code sent to your devices.
  • Tap the top-left menu icon again, then tap Account.
  • Accept the legal terms of the Apple Developer Agreement. You'll then be directed to a payment screen, but you can quit out of your browser from here – you don't need to pay anything.
  • Ensure that your iPhone is running iOS 16.4 or later by going to Settings > General > Software Update. 
  • Now go back to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update.
  • Tap Beta Updates. If you don't see the option, try switching off Download iOS Updates (Automatic Updates ➝ Download iOS Updates), then tap Back and it should appear.
  • Select iOS 26 Developer Beta in the list, then tap Back.
  • Wait for the Software Update screen to check Apple's servers. When the iOS 26 Developer Beta appears, tap Download and Install, then follow the instructions and wait for the installation to complete.