Apple has released the ninth beta version of the operating system, signaling that iOS 26 isn’t over yet. The company is completing the process after releasing eight betas for major iOS releases in recent years. The redesigned version of the iPhone software is expected to officially launch within two weeks.
iOS 26 beta 9 released
Apple describes this upcoming update as “delivering a striking new design, powerful Apple Intelligence capabilities, new ways to stay connected in the Phone and Messages apps, and exciting updates to CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet.”
The beta releases brought many changes. iOS 26 beta 2 introduced readability improvements for Control Center, menu layout adjustments in Safari, and more robust accessibility options by adding borders to High Contrast Mode.
iOS 26 beta 3 added opacity to some transparent tab bars and introduced new wallpaper colors. However, beta 4 reversed these opacity changes. Notification Center appears to retain absolute transparency when pulled down until fully opened.
Beta 4 also reintroduced notification summaries, which had previously been paused for news and entertainment apps. This feature was discontinued following complaints that text summaries could change the meaning of headlines.
iOS 26 beta 5 also brought back the “Select” button in the Mail app in response to user feedback. It added a switch to revert to the classic Camera mode swipe direction. Beta 6 removed the camera swipe direction switch, introduced faster animations, and new ringtones. iOS 26 beta 7 added a new “drafts” section to the Messages app.
This developer beta is expected to be the same as the iOS 26 public beta 6, which will be released later today. The new major software version works on the iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 11, and later iPhone models.
iOS 18 is the final working version for the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max. Users seeking the latest features and new design should upgrade their iPhones, but older iPhone models will continue to receive security updates for a while.
To use Apple Intelligence features, you must have an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 series model.
