iOS 26.1 arrived on Monday, but Apple always keeps pushing ahead. As a result, iOS 26.2 beta 1 reached developers Tuesday.
The same goes for iPadOS 26.2 beta 1, watchOS 26.2 beta 1, tvOS 26.2 beta 1 and visionOS 26.2 beta 1. However, macOS Tahoe 26.2 beta 1 did not arrive with the rest.
iOS 26.2 beta 1 treads on the heels of iOS 26.1
Apple is very forward-thinking. Even before a new operating system ships, development begins on its successor. That’s why iOS 26.1 can launch on Monday, and then iOS 26.2 beta 1 can show up the next day.
iOS 26.1 is packed with features for iPhone users, as well as loads of bug fixes. Read our guide to all the changes in iOS 26.1. In addition, macOS Tahoe 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1 and visionOS 26.1 also went out Monday with tweaks and bug fixes galore. And iPad users have an extra reason to celebrate: the return of Slide Over.
Then, the very next day, Apple seeded the next round of betas to developers, giving them their first look at the next OS updates for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and more.
What to expect in iOS 26.2, etc.
iOS 26.2 beta 1 is so new there’s been no time yet to see what has changed. Apple doesn’t make it as easy as it should to identify modifications and enhancements. Some years, Cupertino lays out a roadmap of features coming to its devices in OS upgrades. This is not one of those years. No juicy details have leaked out yet, either.
“I’m not expecting major new features in that initial seed,” is all Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman could say about it, and he has some of the best sources inside Apple.
Which doesn’t mean Apple isn’t busy. It’s very hard at work finishing up work on the AI-enhanced version of Siri that is still scheduled to launch in spring 2026.
Also, the upcoming iOS version needs to be ready for the iPhone 17e when it arrives. And that’s true for macOS Tahoe 26.2 and the M5 MacBook Air as well. Further ahead, future MacBook variants with the Apple M5 Pro and Max processors are supposed to debut with macOS 26.3.
Just for developers
iOS 26.2 beta 1, iPadOS 26.2 beta 1, watchOS 26.2 beta 1, tvOS 26.2 beta 1 and visionOS 26.2 beta 1 can be downloaded starting Tuesday by registered members of Apple’s developer program. The next round of betas isn’t expected for two weeks.
Non-developers in the Apple Beta Software Program have to wait before they can test these prerelease versions. Based on Apple’s previous habits, the wait will also be two weeks.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
