Apple Unifies OS Versions With iOS 26 Beta Launch

Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 26, debuting a major 'Liquid Glass' redesign with a transparent, fluid aesthetic and animations across iPhone and other Apple devices. The new '26' naming scheme now aligns iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS with the calendar year for consistency. Key new features include real-time live translation, advanced AI-powered shortcuts, enhanced call screening and hold assist in the Phone app, a unified call log, customizable app icons, and a dedicated Apple Games app. Public betas for iPadOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 are also available, all featuring the updated design. Apple advises users to avoid installing betas on primary devices due to potential bugs and data loss risks. In addition, Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.6, a minor update focused on bug fixes and security patches.