Apple Introduces iOS 26 Developer Beta Featuring Major ‘Liquid Glass’ UI Redesign

Apple has unveiled the first developer beta of iOS 26, just a day after its announcement at WWDC 2025. This release marks a significant shift in Apple’s software versioning, moving away from incremental numbers to align with the upcoming year. The headline feature of iOS 26 is the introduction of the ‘Liquid Glass’ user interface, representing the most substantial design overhaul for iPhones since iOS 7. The update is currently available to developers, allowing them to prepare their apps for the official launch, which is expected to coincide with the next iPhone release in September. Users interested in early access must enroll in Apple’s Developer Program, which offers a free tier for individuals. After enrollment, the iOS 26 Developer Beta can be downloaded directly from the device’s settings. Apple advises that this early beta may lack some announced features and could be unstable, recommending installation only on secondary devices to avoid data loss. For those not enrolled as developers, a public beta version is scheduled for release next month and is expected to be more stable. This phased rollout gives developers and early adopters a chance to experience and adapt to Apple’s most ambitious UI redesign in years.