iOS 26 beta 1 now available to download. Here's how you can start using

Apple has unveiled the iOS 26 Developer Beta 1 update, just one day after its announcement at the WWDC 2025 conference in Cupertino. This version succeeds last year's iOS 18 and marks a significant shift as Apple opts to align its versioning with the current year rather than using incremental numbers. Among the most notable enhancements in iOS 26 is a substantial redesign featuring Liquid Glass, representing the most significant user interface transformation since iOS 7. Apple releases these Developer Betas to provide developers ample time to adjust their applications before the official launch, which is anticipated to coincide with the new iPhones in September. It is important to note that this initial Developer Beta may lack several newly introduced features and could exhibit instability or incompleteness. Apple strongly advises users to install Developer Betas on secondary devices to safeguard personal data. For those eager to experience iOS 26, a public beta is expected to be available next month and is likely to be more stable. To access the iOS 26 Developer Beta, users must first enroll in Apple's Developer Program. This can be done by visiting the enrollment page or through the Apple Developer app. After signing in with an Apple ID, users will need to fill out their name and address, select their entity type as individual, and agree to the terms. It’s noteworthy that while there is an option to pay for the developer program, the free tier remains fully functional without any payment. To begin the download of iOS 26, users can navigate to their iPhone’s Settings, select General, and then Software Update. Following this, they should tap on 'Beta Updates' and select ‘iOS 26 Developer Beta’ to initiate the download of the latest version.