Apple earlier this week unveiled big changes to its iPhone operating system when it announced iOS 26 at WWDC 2025. Instead of launching iOS 19 consecutively to the current iOS 18, Apple is rebranding its OS versions to match the year when users will use them the most. In this case, iOS 26 will officially launch this fall, though most updates will occur in 2026.

Also: 's WWDC 2025 recap with Sabrina Ortiz and Jason Hiner

The iOS 26 general release will be in a few months, but users can already download a developer beta. If you'd like to wait for the public beta, you'll be able to install it as soon as next month. Before you download a beta version of an operating system, you should have some housekeeping items in mind: back up your device, try not to use your everyday iPhone, and remember that developer betas can be full of bugs and issues.

How to install the iOS 26 developer beta

What you need:An iPhone running iOS 16.5 or later with an Apple ID used in the Apple Developer Program. Since not all iPhones are compatible with iOS 18, you'll also need a model newer than the iPhone 11.

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