Apple Seeds First Betas of iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1

Apple today provided developers with the first betas of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. The new betas are the first updates to the iOS, iPadOS, macOS 26, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS releases that came out last week.

iOS 26
The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.

We don't yet know what's included in the beta software, but there are a couple of features that didn't make it into the launch version of iOS 26, like Wallet support for passports. We'll share details when we learn what's new.

The iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1, betas are limited to developers right now, but Apple will likely release some of the updates to public beta testers in the future.

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

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Top Rated Comments

TJFDenver Avatar
2 hours ago at 10:15 am
Did they fix the problem where they don’t test anything?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alfred.Woodden Avatar
2 hours ago at 10:13 am
Please contain a ton of bug fixes and optimization, especially scrolling animation performance in safari and lists like mail and apple music. its so jittery and stuttery on 15 pro.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JMalone Avatar
2 hours ago at 10:18 am
Hopefully restores normal corners, normal buttons that look clickable, avoids text clash when text scrolls under text (which should not be a thing anyway) and reduces Liquid Glass to only the Dock because we don’t need to simulate refraction in a UI except as a marketing gimmick.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rexel69 Avatar
1 hour ago at 11:01 am

Imagine if Apple had taken the beta phase seriously. Instead of releasing a new version every two weeks, they waited four weeks. Just like developers of Ubuntu, LinuxMint or Windows do. And simply postponed the release by a few weeks.

Everyone would be happy about a much more bug-free upgrade, instead of now having to "looking forward" for new updates to fix the bugs.

I know! That would be so innovative and special, you would be able to call it “think different”.
Let’s be clear — Apple doesn’t release a beta and then sit around waiting for a couple of weeks to see what happens. iOS 26 was built and tested internally months ago. The public and developer betas are part of a structured process, primarily aimed at developers, so they can test their apps and games, report bugs, and ensure everything runs smoothly ahead of the final release. The notion that the beta is a last-minute trial run is a significant misunderstanding. It’s a critical phase of ongoing development, not a polished product for everyday users.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hyperactiv8 Avatar
2 hours ago at 10:18 am

Good to see they’re moving things along with alacrity.
Today, I learned the word “alacrity”. Thanks!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MarkR Avatar
1 hour ago at 11:11 am

Wish I waited to update till 26.1 was pushed. Too many bugs for me on 26 (iPhone 16 Pro Max).
I never upgrade to a new major OS release until at least the .2 version. Apple's software quality control has been horrible over the past several years. I just don't trust them to put out a relatively solid major OS release on the first try anymore.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)