iOS 26 Public Beta Appears Imminent Based on This Latest Hint

An anonymous leaker with a proven track record today shared alleged build numbers for the fourth developer betas of iOS 26 and more.

iOS 26 Feature
The private account on X has accurately leaked build numbers for Apple software updates in the past. We do not link to the account at the owner's request.

Here are all of the build numbers shared by the account today:

  • iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beta 4 (23A5297i)
  • macOS 26 beta 4 (25A5316i)
  • tvOS 26 and HomePod Software 26 beta 4 (23J5316g)
  • watchOS 26 beta 4 (23R5317g)
  • visionOS 26 beta 4 (23M5300g)

The account often shares build numbers for betas around one day before they are released, so it is likely that the fourth developer betas of the updates listed above will be released this Tuesday, July 22. Then, the first public betas of the updates will likely follow by Wednesday, July 23, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. However, there will not be a visionOS 26 public beta, according to Apple's beta website.

Apple accidentally made the macOS 26 public beta available to some users for a brief period earlier today, and the build number for it was the same as the one listed above for the fourth developer beta of macOS 26. In other words, the first public betas will likely correspond with the fourth developer betas, as expected.

Apple previously announced that the public betas would be available in July, but it did not provide a more specific timeframe.

Apple is also planning to offer a public beta of its next major AirPods firmware update.

Anyone can sign up to be a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, for free, and gain access to the public betas when they are available. As always, we recommend backing up your devices before installing beta software, in case of issues.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
6 hours ago at 07:33 pm
I mean, yeah, we all know it's imminent. Without any hints.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kirkster Avatar
6 hours ago at 07:52 pm
Been running the Beta 3 for a week now, still a little buggy, but pretty solid overall, the multi windows takes a little bit to get used to. Overall I like the Liquid Glass theme.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lunarman25 Avatar
3 hours ago at 10:54 pm

So the public beta 1 will be the exact same as dev beta 3?

How's it running on the ipad?
No beta 4
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
svish Avatar
4 hours ago at 09:56 pm
Expecting to see a public beta within the next few days or latest by next week. Planning on installing it on one of my devices.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iToph Avatar
3 hours ago at 10:14 pm
an i build??? Holy cow.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
3 hours ago at 10:43 pm
Will be interesting what they have done to liquid glass this time around. If it's still the same as on beta 3, Apple should probably update it's marketing material about iOS 26 soon
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)