iOS 26 Public Beta coming soon, iOS 27 development already in sight: Gurman

Apple is poised to unveil the first public beta of iOS 26 as early as this week, according to insights from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman indicated that all signs suggest the public beta phase will commence in just a few days, likely around Wednesday, July 23. While Apple has previously announced a July release for the iOS 26 public beta, it has kept the exact date under wraps. This forthcoming rollout will provide users outside the developer circle with their initial look at the new features and improvements that iOS 26 brings. Concurrently, Apple is anticipated to launch public beta versions for iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and HomePod software 26. Notably, Apple will also introduce a public beta for its upcoming major firmware update for AirPods for the first time. However, visionOS 26 will remain exclusive to developers, as Apple has no plans to release a public beta for this platform. Individuals interested in testing the latest updates can enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program at no cost. It is recommended that participants back up their devices before installation, as beta versions may contain bugs and stability issues. Although these updates have already been accessible through Apple's developer beta program, public testers are generally advised to wait for the public beta version. In an intriguing development, Gurman also hinted that Apple may soon begin work on iOS 27, which is expected to focus on features tailored for the anticipated foldable iPhone, rumored to launch in the latter half of 2026.