Apple’s IOS 26 Public Beta Is Here: IOS 26 Beta 4 Features And Updates Unveiled -

Introduction to iOS 26: A New Era for iPhone

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Apple’s iOS 26 Beta 4 Features and Updates, unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the iPhone’s operating system. Described as the most substantial redesign since iOS 7 in 2013, iOS 26 introduces a sleek “Liquid Glass” design, enhanced Apple Intelligence features, and a host of improvements to core apps.

With the public beta now available and iOS 26 Beta 4 released to developers, users worldwide are getting a glimpse of what’s to come when the final version launches in September 2025 alongside the iPhone 17 series. This blog dives deep into everything you need to know about iOS 26, from its groundbreaking features to compatibility, installation guides, and user feedback.

The Liquid Glass Design: A Visual Overhaul

The standout feature of iOS 26 is its “Liquid Glass” design, a transformative aesthetic that redefines the iPhone’s user interface (UI). This design language, inspired by Apple’s visionOS for the Apple Vision Pro, incorporates translucent elements that blur and reflect backgrounds, creating a modern, futuristic look. App icons, widgets, menus, and navigation bars now feature smoother animations and a glass-like appearance with rounded edges, emphasizing content while maintaining visual appeal.

Key Design Changes

Translucency Adjustments: Early beta versions leaned heavily on translucency, raising concerns about readability. In response to feedback, Apple refined the Liquid Glass effect in Beta 3 and reintroduced balanced transparency in Beta 4 to enhance legibility without sacrificing aesthetics. Users have noted that the lock screen’s time and control buttons, paired with photo-based wallpapers, are particularly eye-catching.
Revamped Control Center: The Control Center has been streamlined with a cleaner layout, featuring pop-out menus and simplified navigation. Users can customize transparency levels, with suggestions for a “transparency slider” to fine-tune the frosted glass effect.
App-Specific UI Tweaks: Apps like Photos, Camera, and Safari have received layout updates. The Photos app now features a two-tab interface (Library and Collections) for easier navigation, while Safari offers an optional compact design that hides tab tools behind a menu.

The Liquid Glass design has sparked mixed reactions. While some users praise its modern aesthetic, others argue that excessive translucency can hinder usability. Apple’s ongoing tweaks suggest they’re striving to balance form and function, with public beta feedback likely to shape the final release.

Apple Intelligence: Smarter and More Integrated

Apple Intelligence, Apple’s suite of AI-powered tools, takes center stage in iOS 26, building on features introduced in iOS 18. These enhancements aim to make everyday tasks more intuitive and efficient, leveraging on-device processing for privacy and performance.

Notable Apple Intelligence Features

Real-Time Call Translation: iOS 26 introduces live translation for audio and text during calls, supporting languages like English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified). Additional languages, including Danish, Dutch, and Vietnamese, are expected by year-end.
Notification Summaries: Reintroduced in Beta 4, this feature summarizes notifications for news apps, reducing clutter and helping users stay informed without overwhelming alerts.
Writing Tools and Genmoji: Improved Writing Tools assist with text composition, while Genmoji allows users to create custom emojis based on text prompts.
Image Playground: This feature lets users generate and edit images using AI, adding creative flexibility to apps like Notes and Messages.
Smarter Suggestions: Contextual suggestions based on on-screen content enhance productivity across apps, from drafting emails to scheduling events.

Apple Intelligence requires supported devices (iPhone 11 and later, with specific models like iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series for full functionality) and Siri/device language alignment.

App Enhancements: Making Everyday Use Effortless

iOS 26 brings significant updates to core apps, focusing on usability and integration with the Liquid Glass design. Here’s a closer look at the most notable changes:

Photos App

The Photos app has been streamlined with a two-tab interface (Library and Collections), making it easier to browse and organize photos. The updated design emphasizes content by minimizing button-heavy layouts, with pop-out menus for additional options.

Apple Music

AutoMix and Lyrics Translation: AutoMix transitions songs at the “perfect moment” based on key and tempo analysis, offering an alternative to Crossfade. Lyrics Translation automatically translates songs in foreign languages, while Lyrics Pronunciation helps users sing along accurately.

Pinned Playlists and Folders: Users can pin playlists to the top of the Music app or organize them into folders. A new Home Screen widget displays pinned playlists.

Apple Music Sing on Apple TV: The iPhone can now serve as a microphone for the Apple Music Sing karaoke feature on Apple TV.

Safari

Safari’s compact design tucks tab tools into a menu, though users can revert to the iOS 18 layout. Navigation bars fade when not needed, prioritizing content.

Messages

Messages gains polls and customizable backgrounds, enhancing group chats and personal expression.

Phone App

The Phone app now unifies recent calls, missed calls, and voicemails into a single interface, with the option to revert to the previous layout.

Shortcuts

The Shortcuts app integrates Apple Intelligence, allowing users to leverage AI models for custom automations.

Notes

A “secret messaging feature” enables private communication within the Notes app, though specifics remain limited.

Battery Life and Performance Improvements

iOS 26 Beta 4 Features and Updates introduces an adaptive power mode to extend battery life across supported devices, from the iPhone 11 series to the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup. This feature dynamically adjusts performance based on usage patterns, promising better efficiency for both new and older models.

Performance-wise, iOS 26 is optimized for devices with the A12 Bionic chip and later, though early beta versions, particularly Beta 1, experienced lag, especially on the lock screen due to glassy notifications. Subsequent betas have addressed these issues, with Beta 4 offering improved stability.

Communication Safety and Privacy

Apple continues to prioritize user safety in iOS 26 with new Communication Safety tools, particularly aimed at protecting younger users:

FaceTime Nudity Detection: Detects nudity in FaceTime calls, freezing video/audio and offering options to continue or end the call.
Shared Albums Protection: Explicit content in Shared Albums is blurred to prevent accidental exposure.

These features align with Apple’s commitment to privacy, with Apple Intelligence processing data on-device to minimize cloud reliance.

Supported Devices and Compatibility

iOS 26 supports a wide range of iPhones, but older models like the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max are excluded due to their A12 Bionic chip’s limitations. Compatible devices include:

iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17 Air (expected 2025)
iPhone 16 series
iPhone 15 series
iPhone 14 series
iPhone 13 series
iPhone 12 series
iPhone 11 series
iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)

Apple Intelligence features require specific hardware (e.g., iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 models, or devices with M1 chips and later) and language settings aligned with supported languages.

iOS 26 Beta: Timeline and Updates

Developer Beta

Apple released the first iOS 26 developer beta immediately after the WWDC keynote on June 9, 2025. Early versions faced issues, including a low battery symbol preventing some iPhone 15 and 16 models from starting up. Apple addressed these in a revised Beta 1 and subsequent updates.

Beta 2 (June 24, 2025): Introduced new widgets, an updated Control Center, and a new ringtone.
Beta 3 (July 8, 2025): Added new wallpaper color options (Halo, Dusk, Sky, Shadow) and toned down navigation bar transparency in apps like Apple Music and the App Store. Critics noted that transparency reductions compromised the Liquid Glass vision.
Beta 4 (July 24, 2025): Reintroduced balanced transparency and Notification Summaries for news apps. This build (23A5297m) aligns with the first public beta.

Public Beta

The iOS 26 public beta was released on July 24, 2025, allowing non-developers to test the update. Users can enroll via Apple’s Beta Software Program at beta.apple.com, navigating to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates to download the update over the air. Apple recommends backing up devices before installing betas due to potential bugs.

Public beta testers have reported improved stability compared to early developer betas, though minor issues persist. Apple encourages feedback via the Feedback Assistant app to refine the final release, expected in mid-September 2025 alongside the iPhone 17 series.

How to Download and Install iOS 26 Public Beta

To try iOS 26 Public Beta, follow these steps:

Enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program: Visit beta.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
Enable Beta Updates: On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates, and select “iOS 26 Public Beta.”
Download and Install: Ensure your iPhone is charged and connected to Wi-Fi. The update will download and install, requiring a restart.
Backup Your Device: Use iCloud (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now) or another method to safeguard your data.

Note: Beta software may contain bugs, so avoid installing it on your primary device.

User Feedback and Controversies

The iOS 26 beta has sparked lively discussions. The Liquid Glass design remains polarizing, with some users praising its futuristic look and others criticizing readability issues. Beta 3’s reduced transparency drew complaints for diluting the design’s vision, while Beta 4’s adjustments have not fully resolved the debate. Suggestions for a transparency slider highlight the demand for customization.

Performance issues, such as laggy lock screen notifications in Beta 1, have largely been addressed, but early adopters caution against installing betas on primary devices due to potential data loss risks.

What’s Next for iOS 26?

Apple is expected to release additional beta versions before the final launch in September 2025. The company is already working on iOS 27, which will focus on features tailored for a foldable iPhone expected in 2026, featuring 7.8-inch and 5.5-inch displays.

The public beta phase will be critical for refining iOS 26, with user feedback shaping the balance between Liquid Glass’s aesthetics and usability. Apple’s commitment to addressing bugs and incorporating suggestions ensures a polished final release.

Conclusion

iOS 26 represents a bold step forward for Apple, blending a stunning Liquid Glass design with powerful Apple Intelligence features and app enhancements. The public beta, now available, offers a chance to experience these changes firsthand, while Beta 4 refines the update based on developer feedback. From real-time call translation to a revamped Photos app and improved battery life, iOS 26 promises to make everyday iPhone use more intuitive and visually appealing.

For those eager to try it, enrolling in the Apple Beta Software Program is straightforward, but caution is advised due to potential bugs. As Apple continues to tweak the Liquid Glass design and expand Apple Intelligence, iOS 26 is shaping up to be a transformative update. Stay tuned for the official release in September 2025, and join the beta to help shape the future of iOS.

iOS 26 Public Beta FAQs

1. What is the iOS 26 Public Beta, and how can I join it?

The iOS 26 Public Beta is a pre-release version of Apple’s iOS 26, allowing users to test new features like the Liquid Glass design and Apple Intelligence before the official launch in September 2025. To join, visit beta.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and enroll your iPhone. Then, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates, select “iOS 26 Public Beta,” and download the update. Always back up your device first, as beta software may have bugs.

2. Which iPhones are compatible with the iOS 26 Public Beta?

iOS 26 supports iPhones with the A12 Bionic chip or later, including the iPhone 11 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 15 series, iPhone 16 series, and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation). Older models like the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max are not compatible. Apple Intelligence features require specific models, such as the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 series.

3. What are the key features in iOS 26 Beta 4?

iOS 26 Beta 4, released on July 24, 2025, introduces a refined Liquid Glass design with balanced transparency, Notification Summaries for news apps, real-time call translation, and improvements to apps like Photos (two-tab interface), Apple Music (AutoMix and Lyrics Translation), and Safari (compact design). It also includes performance optimizations and an adaptive power mode for better battery life.

4. Is it safe to install the iOS 26 Public Beta on my primary iPhone?

While Beta 4 is more stable than earlier versions, beta software can still have bugs that may cause crashes, data loss, or app incompatibilities. Apple recommends installing it on a secondary device and backing up your data via iCloud (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now) or another method before updating.

5. How does the Liquid Glass design in iOS 26 work?

The Liquid Glass design introduces a translucent, glass-like aesthetic with blurred backgrounds, rounded edges, and smooth animations across app icons, widgets, and menus. Inspired by visionOS, it was tweaked in Beta 4 to improve readability after earlier versions faced criticism for excessive transparency. Users can customize some elements, like Control Center transparency.

6. What Apple Intelligence features are available in iOS 26 Beta 4?

Apple Intelligence in Beta 4 includes real-time call translation (supporting languages like English, Spanish, and Japanese), Notification Summaries, enhanced Writing Tools, Genmoji for custom emojis, and Image Playground for AI-generated images. These features require compatible devices (e.g., iPhone 15 Pro or later) and specific language settings.

7. How can I provide feedback on the iOS 26 Public Beta?

Apple encourages beta testers to report bugs and share feedback using the Feedback Assistant app, pre-installed with the beta. Open the app, describe the issue or suggestion, and submit it directly to Apple. This feedback helps refine the software before its official release in September 2025.

Apple’s iOS 26 Public Beta Is Here: iOS 26 Beta 4 Features and Updates Unveiled

Introduction to iOS 26: A New Era for iPhone