Apple has officially rolled out the iOS 26 Public Beta, introducing its boldest design update in years-Liquid Glass.
While iPhone users no longer need a developer account to install beta versions, many still wait for the Public Beta due to its improved stability over the riskier Developer Beta, which landed on June 9th.
Now, about six weeks later, the Public Beta is ready to download. To install it, head to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap on Beta Updates at the top, select iOS 26 Public Beta, and follow the prompts to install. If you’re new to iOS beta testing, register at beta.apple.com first. Returning users can skip the registration and dive right into the update.
Before installing, make sure to back up your iPhone. Even Public Betas can carry bugs. In fact, during early Developer Beta testing, some users-including on the iPhone 15 Pro Max-experienced incoming call issues that weren’t fixed until the next update.
The star of iOS 26 is the Liquid Glass UI. Buttons and interface elements now appear as if viewed through shimmering, translucent liquid glass, giving your iPhone a futuristic makeover. But that’s not all-Apple has revamped the Phone app, too.
The familiar Favorites tab is gone, replaced with an intelligent avatar grid showing your most frequent contacts and locations. Tapping the new Calls tab brings up these avatars at the top, followed by recent calls. You’ll also find easy access to Contacts, Keypad, and Search.
Want to switch back to something familiar? Tap the three-line icon at the top right and choose between the new Unified layout or the traditional Classic look.
As for Siri, don’t expect any changes-Apple has pushed updates to its digital assistant to a future release.
iOS 26 Public Beta blends design innovation with a reimagined interface while keeping the essentials close at hand. Just don’t forget-it’s still a beta, so backup first.