Apple Seeds iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Release Candidates

Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 for testing purposes, with the updates coming a week after Apple seeded the ninth betas. Release candidates represent the finalized version of new software that will be provided to the public provided no last minute bugs are discovered.

iOS 26 Feature
Registered developers and public beta testers can download the new beta software using the Software Update section of the Settings app.

‌iOS 26‌ and ‌iPadOS 26‌ feature Apple's new Liquid Glass design aesthetic, with a focus on translucency and glass-like interface elements. The design extends to the Lock Screen, Home Screen, and Control Center, along with menus and buttons in apps.

Apple's software includes features for apps like Messages, Phone, Shortcuts, and Apple Music, along with new Apple Intelligence features, a revamp for CarPlay, and more. In ‌iPadOS 26‌, there's a whole new multitasking system that supports multiple app windows for a more Mac-like experience.

For more on the features in ‌iOS 26‌, we have a dedicated iOS 26 roundup and a separate iPadOS 26 roundup. New features have been found in each of the betas, and you can get a recap here: beta 2, for beta 3, beta 4, beta 5, beta 6, and beta 7.

Apple plans to release ‌iOS 26‌ and ‌iPadOS 26‌ on September 15.

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

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Top Rated Comments

lanomds1 Avatar
3 days ago at 12:45 pm
Installed and the glitches are still there. Can’t believe this is a RC.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mac-hummer Avatar
3 days ago at 11:44 am
I will update 6 months from now, avoiding the traditional initial unwanted bugs and uncooked iOS, not ready to eat.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dontwalkhand Avatar
3 days ago at 03:37 pm

They better release rc 2 because rumor has it that in this current rc theres a new hello screen where you have RE ENTER ALL OF YOUR WIFI. AS IF U BOUGHT A NEW PHONE. Others have said it didnt happen on their phones so im wondering if its only happening on newer phones or something
DIdn’t do that for me. I upgraded form 18.6.2 or whatever the latest 18 was.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SactoGuy18 Avatar
3 days ago at 11:38 am
Watch for the possibility that Apple may release another RC build of iOS/iPadOS 26 by Friday.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vertsix Avatar
3 days ago at 11:39 am
Time for bugs. ?????
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sergekills Avatar
3 days ago at 12:24 pm

To be fair most of the bugs were worked out during the first round of betas, and there wasn’t that many to begin with since PB1.
This comment is just ridiculous
I don’t even know where to begin with the bugs
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)