MacRumors

While the new software updates that Apple showed off today are only available to developers at the current time, Apple does plan to release public betas.

In the fine print for most of its software announcements, Apple says that public betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 will be coming "next month," aka July. Apple has been releasing public betas during July for quite some time now, as the timeline allows for a few rounds of developer beta testing for feature refinements before a wider beta rollout.

So when in July will we get the public beta? Here are Apple's past release dates:

• iOS 18 - July 15
• iOS 17 - July 12
• iOS 16 - July 11
• iOS 15 - June 30
• iOS 14 - July 9

Apple tends to aim for around the middle of the month, so we could get the public betas the week of June 14, but the week before is a possibility too. The public beta usually follows the second or third developer beta, depending on timing and what needs to be fixed and refined.

Apple will provide public betas of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, HomePod Software 26, and the AirPods firmware. Apple doesn't typically provide beta firmware updates for public beta testers, but the company's beta website says it will be an option. Apple doesn't plan to offer a visionOS public beta, and that update will remain limited to developers.

After the developer beta and the public beta testing period, the new software updates will see a public launch in the fall.

At today's WWDC 2025 keynote event, Apple unveiled a new design that will inform the next decade of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS development, so needless to say, it was a busy day. Apple also unveiled a ton of new features for the iPhone, an overhauled Spotlight interface for the Mac, and a ton of updates that make the iPad more like a Mac than ever before.

Apple's event lasted for an hour and a half, but we've recapped all of the announcements in a 10 minute video, just in case you don't want to sit through the entire spiel. We've also rounded up all of our coverage below, so you can dive deeper into any of the new features.

iOS 26

• Apple Announces iOS 26 With 'Liquid Glass' Design, Live Translation, Overhauled Phone App, and More
• Apple Announces All-New 'Liquid Glass' Software Redesign
• iOS 26 is Compatible With the iPhone 11 and Newer
• Apple Announces Live Translation for Messages, FaceTime, and Phone Apps
• Apple Music Gaining Ability to Pin Your Favorite Playlists, Albums, and Artists in iOS 26
• iOS 26: Visual Intelligence Now Searches On-Screen Content
• ChatGPT Integration Coming to Apple's Image Playground
• Apple Announces New Features in Messages App on iOS 26
• Apple's New 'Games' App Brings Game Center, Library, and Arcade Together
• Four New Features Coming to Apple Reminders and Notes
• iOS 26 Adds All-New 'Clear Look' Option Alongside Light and Dark Mode
• iOS 26 Gets New 'Adaptive Power' Option to Extend Battery Life
• iOS 26 Lets You Know How Long It'll Take Your Battery to Charge
• iOS 26 Adds New 'Emoji Game' for Apple News+ Subscribers
• Here's How iOS 26 Enhances Boarding Passes on Your iPhone
• Here Are the New iOS 26 Background Sounds
• iOS 26: All the Little Changes
• iOS 26 Features Battery Settings Overhaul
• New iOS 26 Setting Fixes Annoying Auto Audio Switching Issue
• iOS 26 Tweaks Back Gesture to Make Navigation Easier on Bigger iPhones

iPadOS 26

• Apple Says iPadOS 26 is Compatible With These iPad Models
• Windowing, Menu Bar, and Pointer Come to iPadOS
• iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe Include Phone App With Call Screening, Hold Assist and More
• iPadOS 26 Gains Revamped Files App
• The iPad Just Got a Lot More Like a Mac Thanks to These 20+ New Features

CarPlay

• Apple Announces CarPlay Updates With Widgets, Live Activities, and More
• iOS 26 Upgrades CarPlay in Five Ways
• Apple Says These 13 Vehicle Brands Will Soon Offer iPhone Car Keys

macOS Tahoe

• Apple Unveils macOS Tahoe With Liquid Glass Design, Phone App, Live Translation, and More
• Apple Supercharges Spotlight in macOS Tahoe With Quick Keys and More
• Journal App Finally Coming to Mac and iPad
• Apple Says macOS Tahoe is Compatible With These Macs
• Intel Macs Won't Get Updates After macOS Tahoe
• macOS Tahoe Transforms Launchpad Into App Library

watchOS 26

• Apple Announces watchOS 26 With Liquid Glass Design, Workout Buddy, and Smart Stack Intelligence
• Apple Says watchOS 26 is Compatible With These Apple Watch Models
• Apple Unveils AI-Powered 'Workout Buddy' for Apple Watch at WWDC
• watchOS 26 Brings the Notes App to Apple Watch
• watchOS 26 Features New Gesture to Dismiss Notifications
• Apple Watch Workout App Gets Corner Buttons, Music Integration in watchOS 26

visionOS 26

• visionOS 26 Announced With Spatial Widgets, Shared Experiences, Enhanced Personas, and More

tvOS 26

• tvOS 26 Adds These New Features to Your Apple TV
• tvOS 26 Liquid Glass Redesign Excludes Older Apple TV Models
• tvOS 26 is Compatible With These Apple TV Models
• tvOS 26 Turns Your iPhone Into a Karaoke Mic for Apple Music Sing

AirPods

• All the New AirPods Features Coming in iOS 26
• Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Other Announcements

• WWDC 2025: Apple Says Personalized Siri Features Are Still Not Ready
• Apple Seeds First Developer Betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe and More
• Apple Announces Foundation Models Framework for Developers to Leverage AI
• iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe Public Betas Launching in July

iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, and Apple's other updates are available in an early beta phase for developers. Apple plans to introduce a public beta in July, and a public launch will follow in September.

For more on what's new, stay tuned to MacRumors, because we're going to have a ton more coverage in the coming weeks and months, including hands-on videos, guides, and in-depth looks at new features throughout the beta testing process.

With iOS 26, Apple added a bunch of new options for the Background Sounds feature. If you're unfamiliar with it, it is an Accessibility option that allows your iPhone to play soothing background noise, like white noise or rain.

Prior to ‌iOS 26‌, there were eight Background Sounds options, but now there are a total of sixteen. Here's what's new:

• Babble
• Steam
• Airplane
• Boat
• Bus
• Train
• Rain on Roof
• Quiet Night

These join the original eight, which include Balanced Noise, Bright Noise, Dark Noise, Ocean, Rain, Stream, Night, and Fire.

Background Sounds can be toggled on in the Settings app under Accessibility > Audio and Visual > Background Sounds. Once you've opted in and selected a sound, you can toggle Background Sounds on and off through the Hearing Accessibility shortcut in the Control Center.

‌iOS 26‌ is only available for developers right now, but Apple plans to release a public beta in July. The software will launch in September alongside new iPhones.

There are a long list of new features in iOS 26, some of which Apple highlighted at today's keynote event, and some of which were quietly added. We've rounded up some of the smaller changes but still useful changes that have been introduced in the update.

• Home bar - The Home bar that's meant to remind you that you can swipe up to get to the Home Screen has been removed from apps, for the most part. When you open an app, it shows briefly, but then it disappears.
• Satellite Weather - In iOS 26, you can get Weather updates over a satellite connection when you don't have a cellular or Wi-Fi signal available. This doesn't appear to be live in the beta yet, but it seems to be coming.
• Alarms - You can customize the snooze length for your alarms.
• Camera - If your camera lens is dirty, your iPhone can detect it and suggest that you clean it.
• Dictation - When you're dictating something using the Dictation feature, you can now spell a word or a name if needed.
• Messages - You can now select partial text in a text message bubble, rather than having to select the whole thing.
• Group Texts - There are typing indicators in group chats, plus there's an add a contact button if there's someone in the group text that you don't know.
• Messages Filtering - If you have the Screen Unknown Senders option turned on, there are new filtering options. You can allow Time Sensitive alerts, Personal messages from businesses or organizations, Transactions like order receipts, or Promotions. There are toggles for each category.
• Blocked Contacts - You can see a list of people that you've blocked in the Privacy and Security section of the Settings app.
• AutoFill Payments - You can now see and manage your AutoFill cards in the Wallet app. There are options for adding a new payment, or changing details like expiration date for an existing payment method.
• Reminders - There's a Reminders Control Center button.
• Notes - You can export a note into a Markdown file.
• Apple Music - Apple Music has an option to create playlist folders.
• Files - In the Files app, when you select Browse, you'll now see a list of folders with an option to tap it to expand nested folders. Before, you had to tap into the folder entirely to see what was in it.
• Late Night Mode - Under Sounds and Haptics in Settings, Apple added a "Late Night Mode."
• Microphone Selection - In Sounds and Haptics, you can select a microphone if you have a Bluetooth mic connected.
• Battery - Your iPhone will tell you if you're using more battery than normal at any given point in the day, and it flags apps that are using more power. You can also see time to charge in the Battery section of the Settings app and on the Lock Screen.
• Stage Manager - This is technically iPadOS 26, but older iPads can now use Stage Manager.
• Turn Off Transparency - Hate the new glass look? There is an option to turn it off in Accessibility settings with the Reduce Transparency option.
• Background Sounds - There are many more Background Sounds options like airplane, rain on roof, quiet night, fire, and more.

As of right now, only developers have access to an early version of iOS 26, but Apple is planning to provide a public beta in July. iOS 26 will see a public launch in September alongside new iPhones.

Found something new that we didn't include here? Let us know in the comments below.

With iPadOS 26, Apple is moving the iPad closer to the Mac than ever before with a host of productivity and multitasking improvements.

Here's everything Apple today announced for the ‌iPad‌ that's set to make the device more Mac-like:

• App windows on ‌iPad‌ can now be freely resized.
• Multiple windows can be open at once, including multiple instances of the same app.
• Windows can be snapped into halves, thirds, or quarters using new tiling gestures.
• Each window has red, yellow, and green traffic-light controls for closing, minimizing, and maximizing.
• Apps remember their window size and position when reopened.
• On external displays, app windows remember their layout.
• A swipe-up Exposé gesture reveals all open windows, similar to Mission Control on Mac.
• A new menu bar appears on swipe or cursor hover, giving access to app commands like on Mac.
• Third-party apps can implement their own menu bar options.
• Users can search for commands in the menu bar.
• The cursor is now a true pointer, rather than a morphing circle.
• Cursor interactions on ‌iPad‌ now match the behavior and precision found on macOS.
• The Files app now features resizable columns and collapsible folders.
• Folders in the Files app can be customized with colors, icons, and emoji.
• Users can assign a default app for opening each file type.
• Folders can be dragged into the Dock for quick access, like Finder stacks in the macOS Dock.
• The Preview app, long a macOS staple, is now available on ‌iPad‌ for PDF and image editing.
• Background Tasks allow long-running operations to continue while using other apps.
• Users can choose different microphones for each app or website, reflecting macOS input/output controls.
• Audio and video from video calls can be captured locally in high quality.
• Notes can now be exported as Markdown files.

The line between the ‌iPad‌ and the Mac is now more blurred than ever. Do you think these new features are enough to enhance the ‌iPad‌? Let us know in the comments.

iOS 26 enhances the Apple Wallet boarding pass experience.

First, Apple announced that the boarding passes now support Live Activities, so you can keep track of a flight at a glance on your iPhone's Lock Screen. This functionality was already available with the Flighty app, but now you can view a flight's arrival time and more on the Lock Screen if you use Apple's built-in Wallet app.

Second, the Wallet app now displays relevant information below the boarding pass, such as Apple Maps directions to the appropriate airport terminal, a shortcut to the Find My app's newer baggage tracking feature, and more.

The first iOS 26 developer beta is now available, with a public beta to follow next month. The update will be released later this year.

Apple today introduced new beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, with an 8A5279d version number. The firmware is only available to developers at the current time, and a device running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 is required to install the update.

The new firmware adds several features that Apple is debuting alongside ‌iOS 26‌, ‌iPadOS 26‌, and macOS Tahoe.

The AirPods Pro 2 and ‌AirPods 4‌ support improved audio quality for phone calls and video calls, plus studio-quality audio recording for interviews, podcasts, and videos. There's also an option to use the AirPods as a camera remote with the Camera app to take photos or start a video recording.

With the latest updates, Apple added a firmware update installation option that's available from the AirPods settings interface when the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

macOS Tahoe does away with the Launchpad feature that's designed to show you all of the apps on your Mac, instead replacing it with a new "Applications" interface that's similar to the App Library on the iPhone and iPad.

The Applications interface organizes apps by category, like Utilities, Productivity and Finance, Social, Creativity, Information and Reading, Entertainment, and Other. There's also a Suggested section at the top of the interface.

The Launchpad replacement appears to be part of Apple's big Spotlight overhaul, and it can also be used to access Actions, Files, and Clipboard, with quick access keyboard shortcuts. Apple calls these "Browse Modes."

• Command + 1 opens up Applications.
• Command + 2 opens Files.
• Command + 3 opens Actions.
• Command + 4 opens Clipboard.

Actions are what you can do from the new version of Spotlight, and there are options ranging from sending a message to starting a timer. Clipboard brings up your clipboard history, including images you've copied and things you've pasted.

By default, the Applications interface shows your apps in a tiled view organized by category, but there are other options. You can choose a list view that's either organized by category or by app name, or you can use the alphabetical option in a tiled view.

‌macOS Tahoe‌ and the revamped Applications interface that replaces Launchpad is only available to developers right now. Apple plans to make a public beta available in July, with a launch to follow in September.

In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further.

During its WWDC 2025 keynote today, Apple said that 13 additional vehicle brands will "soon" offer iPhone car keys, including Acura, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Porsche, Rivian, Smart, Lucid Motors, Tata Motors, Hongqi, WEY, Chery, and Voyah.

Apple did not provide an exact timeframe or any other details.

Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that support iPhone car keys, but it has not been updated in a while, so it is missing some recent additions.

Apple News+ subscribers who upgrade to iOS 26 can now access an all-new game, which Apple calls "Emoji Game." The idea is to solve puzzles by completing words and phrases with emoji characters.

Apple will show some words and blank spots with a selection of emoji and emoji combos below, and the idea is to drag an emoji into the blank spot to fill in the word.

If the word is disappear, for example, you would drag a pear to the blank spot in the word. Pear could also be used to finish off "fruitful."

The game will be limited to ‌Apple News‌+ subscribers. ‌Apple News‌+ is priced at $12.99 per month, but the whole family can use the service. Apple has been aiming to increase the number of games that are available, and the app also features Crossword, Quartiles, and Sudoku.

Developers with an ‌Apple News‌+ subscription can play Emoji Game now, and it will be available to the public when ‌iOS 26‌ is released in September.

macOS Tahoe is the final software update that Intel-based Macs will get, as Apple works to phase them out following its transition to Apple silicon.

During its Platforms State of the Union event, Apple said that Intel Macs won't get macOS 27, coming next year, though there could still be updates that add security fixes.

Support for Intel Macs is being phased out because Apple wants to put all of its focus and innovation on Apple silicon machines.

Apple started its transition to Apple silicon with the 2020 launch of the M1 Mac machines, and two years ago, the company completed the transition to Apple silicon.

Apple today announced iOS 26, and the upcoming software update includes several new features and changes for CarPlay in vehicles.

The first iOS 26 developer beta is now available, and a public beta will follow next month. The update will be released later this year.

Liquid Glass Design

When you are using CarPlay with an iPhone running iOS 26, the new Liquid Glass design extends to the CarPlay interface. Like on the iPhone, the new look includes more shimmery app icons and translucent user interface elements.

New Messages App Features

Starting with iOS 26, you can respond to messages with standard Tapbacks like a heart, thumbs up, or exclamation marks directly through CarPlay.

Plus, you can now view your pinned conversations in the Messages app on CarPlay.

Compact View for Phone Calls

CarPlay has a new compact view for incoming phone calls, so that you can still see other information on the screen, such as turn-by-turn directions.

Live Activities

CarPlay's Dashboard screen can now show Live Activities, letting you keep track of things like a flight's arrival time at a glance.

Widgets

The regular version of CarPlay now has a customizable widgets screen, for things like calendar appointments and HomeKit accessory controls.

Widgets were previously limited to CarPlay Ultra.

All of the other new features and changes outlined above are also coming to CarPlay Ultra.

iPadOS 26 introduces new capabilities for managing, accessing, and editing files.

The iPad's Files app is enhanced with a new List view that features resizable columns and collapsible folders, allowing users to see more document details at a glance and organize their files. To help users identify folders more easily, the app now supports folder customization with custom colors, icons, and emoji, all of which sync across devices.

For quicker access, users can drag any folder from the Files app directly into the Dock. ‌iPadOS 26‌ also allows users to set a default app for opening specific files or file types.

iOS 26 adds a new feature that lets you know how long it'll take your battery to charge when it's plugged in or on a wireless charger, with the new option allowing you to better optimize your charging practices.

You'll be able to determine how fast a charger is charging your device based on the estimated time to a full charge. If you're charging from a slow connection or a Qi-based charger limited to 5W, the setting will let you know that you're connected to a slow charger.

You can see the time remaining until a full charge in the Battery section of the Settings app. Apple doesn't appear to have added a new widget for the feature as of yet, but it could come in the future. You will see the estimated time remaining for charging on your Lock Screen.

An estimate of the time it takes a device to charge used to be available on the Mac, but Apple removed it long ago.

The iPhone battery charging estimates are available to developers in ‌iOS 26‌ right now, with Apple set to roll out the new update to everyone this fall.

Apple's upcoming iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe updates add several new features for the AirPods, which will be available through an AirPods firmware update.

Studio Quality Recording

The AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2 can be used to record studio-quality audio for interviews, podcasts, songs, videos, and more. Apple says that the feature can be used to record high-quality vocals while on the go.

You can record higher-quality audio when making videos or using your devices to do things like record a podcast.

Improved Audio Quality

The studio-quality recording feature brings more natural vocal texture and clarity to iPhone calls, FaceTime calls, and all CallKit-enabled apps like Zoom.

Both studio-quality audio recording and improved call quality are available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and support the Camera app, Voice Memos, Messages dictation, third-party camera apps, and video conferencing apps.

Camera Remote

The AirPods can be used as a camera remote with the Camera app and third-party camera apps on iPhone or ‌iPad‌. Just press and hold on the AirPods stem to take a photo or start a video recording.

When the recording is finished, a press and hold gesture will stop the recording. Apple says that users who like to capture themselves singing and dancing for social networks like TikTok will be able to easily perform in sync with a soundtrack while simultaneously recording video.

Update Interface

With the latest software updates, Apple is finally adding a way to manually update the firmware on your AirPods. When your AirPods are connected, you can go to the Settings app to get to a new software update interface.

Pause Audio for Sleep

If you're listening to music, a podcast, or a book while you're in bed and you're wearing AirPods, the AirPods will pause your audio when you fall asleep.

Automatic Switching with CarPlay

When you're listening to audio on your AirPods and get in the car, the music you're listening to will shift to CarPlay.

Keep Audio in Headphones

When you use AirPods, you can opt to keep audio in your headphones when other playback devices like cars and speakers connect to the iPhone.

Release Info

The new features are available to developers today with a beta firmware update for the AirPods, and will see a public launch this fall.

With iOS 26, Apple added a new feature called Adaptive Power that joins Low Power Mode as a power management option.

Available in the iPhone's battery settings, Adaptive Power is designed to make small performance adjustments that will improve battery life.

Apple says that some of these options include lowering display brightness or allowing some activities to "take a little longer." The feature is also designed to turn on Low Power Mode automatically when your battery hits 20 percent, depending on what you're doing.

This appears to be the battery saving feature that was rumored ahead of the debut of ‌iOS 26‌, and it will specifically help extend battery life on the iPhone 17 Air models.

It is an opt-in feature that can be turned on all the time, allowing your iPhone to continually manage power usage to optimize for battery life.

Apple in iOS 26 has introduced a third display appearance option called "Clear Look," expanding beyond the traditional Light and Dark Mode choices that have defined the iPhone experience in recent iOS versions.

The new mode leverages Apple's "Liquid Glass" design language, unveiled as part of the company's broadest new software redesign since iOS 7. Clear Look transforms app icons using multiple layers of translucent material that dynamically responds to content and context.

Unlike Light and Dark modes, Clear Look creates a more transparent aesthetic that allows underlying content to show through interface elements. The mode works in conjunction with Apple's new universal design system, which aims to create consistency across all Apple platforms "while maintaining each device's unique characteristics," according to the company.

App icons have been redesigned to support the new appearance option, featuring the same Liquid Glass material that adapts intelligently between different lighting environments. The mode extends beyond icons to widgets and other interface elements, offering users an entirely new way to customize their iPhone's visual appearance.

The feature will be available when iOS 26 launches this fall. In the meantime, developers can grab the iOS 26 beta now, while public beta testers can get their hands on the new software from next month.

Four productivity improvements are coming to Apple Notes and Reminders in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26.

In Reminders, Apple Intelligence can now suggest relevant tasks and items automatically, such as to-dos pulled from emails or notes, or grocery items based on your habits and patterns. These suggestions are contextual, personalized, and designed to reduce the friction of capturing tasks manually.

Beyond that, Reminders can now intelligently organize your lists by automatically categorizing related tasks into grouped sections—such as separating groceries, errands, or work-related items—without the need for manual sorting.

One of the standout features coming to the Notes app is the ability to record phone conversations directly from the Phone app. These recordings are not only saved to Notes, but are also transcribed automatically, making it easy to reference or share a summary of the call later.

In addition, Apple is introducing support for Markdown export, allowing users to save notes as Markdown (.md) files for greater compatibility with third-party writing tools or for archiving notes in a clean, portable format. Previously, the only export format option was PDF.