iOS 26 Public Beta Expected to Drop July 23, Says Gurman

Apple’s new iPhone software is finally about to go live for everyone — here’s what to expect and when to update

iPhone fans, the wait’s almost over. Apple’s long-awaited iOS 26 public beta is set to arrive this week, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman pointing to Wednesday, July 23 as the most likely drop date. That lines up with Apple’s usual timing and the company’s pattern of rolling out major software betas in the latter half of July.

After weeks of rumors and a quiet delay, we now have a much clearer picture of exactly when testers can get their hands on the newest version of Apple’s iPhone software—and it’s sooner than most expected.

What is iOS 26 and why is it getting so much attention?

Apple first previewed iOS 26 at WWDC in early June, showing off a more customizable home screen, redesigned lock screen features, and a bunch of under-the-hood improvements. The update isn’t just incremental—it’s a visual refresh that’s got plenty of iPhone users eager to try it early.

This isn’t just for the iPhone 17 series coming in the fall. The public beta will work on iPhone 16 models and some older devices too, giving millions of users a sneak peek.

Some of the biggest rumored features include:

• Full home screen layout control with drag-and-drop widgets

• A smarter, more private Siri experience

• Revamped Messages app with better search and AI-generated summaries

• Enhanced battery health monitoring and adaptive charging

These aren’t just technical tweaks—they’re the kind of changes that could actually alter how people use their phones day-to-day.

Gurman’s timeline: Public beta is landing this Wednesday

Mark Gurman, who’s got a solid track record when it comes to Apple leaks, says the public beta is likely hitting Wednesday, July 23. That fits Apple’s usual strategy.

They’ve dropped previous public betas right around the same time. Last year, iOS 17’s public beta showed up on July 12. The year before? July 11 for iOS 16.

This year’s running just a little behind. But not by much.

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Who gets the beta—and who doesn’t?

Not every iPhone will be eligible. Apple usually cuts off support for models that are more than 5–6 years old. If you’re using an iPhone X or older, you may be out of luck. Here’s a quick breakdown of what we know.

You’ll need to enroll your device via Apple’s Beta Software Program, which is free. Once the beta is live, an over-the-air update will be available.

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Why the delay?

Apple didn’t say much officially. The company rarely does when things slip by a few days or even weeks.

But insiders believe the delay may be tied to fine-tuning the new home screen engine and ironing out bugs discovered in the developer builds. This year’s public beta comes with a more polished feel—Apple seems determined not to rush out something that bricks phones or kills battery life.

There’s also a sense that Apple’s being extra careful given last year’s early beta complaints. iOS 17’s initial version hit users hard with overheating and app crashes.

This time, they’re playing it safer.

How to prepare before installing the beta

Thinking about installing the beta as soon as it drops? Take a breath. These early versions can be unstable, and not every app may play nice with iOS 26 right away.

A few things to keep in mind before you hit “Download and Install”:

• Back up your iPhone using iCloud or iTunes — just in case

• Expect bugs: Some apps may crash or behave oddly

• Battery life might take a hit for a few weeks

• You can leave the beta, but it takes a full restore

If you’re OK with that, go for it. Public betas are a fun way to preview the future.

If not? Wait until September for the polished version.

Looking ahead: What’s next in the iOS 26 roadmap?

After the first public beta goes live, Apple typically pushes out updated beta builds every couple of weeks. These include tweaks, bug fixes, and small new features.

iOS 26 will stay in beta through the summer. The final version usually arrives in mid-to-late September—right after Apple unveils the new iPhones.

Here’s what the timeline could look like:

• July 23: First public beta expected to go live

• Late July – August: Bi-weekly beta updates begin

• September: iPhone 17 event + iOS 26 general release

By then, it should be polished enough for everyone. Until then, beta testers will be the guinea pigs.