More transparency: Now everyone can try iOS 26 in advance

Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 26. Anyone with a compatible iPhone can install it. The software offers first glimpses of the Liquid Glass design, but also brings new features to the devices. ntv.de shows how to install the version and what it currently has to offer.

If you don't want to wait until Apple introduces iOS 26 alongside the new iPhone 17 models, you can now install the first public beta of the firmware. All you need is a compatible device and registration for Apple's beta program.

While public betas are already very stable, unlike the first versions for developers, and usually don't have any serious issues, you shouldn't install them on a device that absolutely needs to work flawlessly, such as for work. The backup also makes it easy to revert to iOS 18 if you don't like the beta.

Backup for emergencies

You have two options for backup: For an iCloud backup, first tap your name at the top of Settings. Then, under iCloud , select iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now if the most recent backup was too long ago.

If your iCloud storage isn't sufficient, it's best to delete an older backup. To do this, go to iCloud , tap Manage Account Storage , then Backups . Select a backup and tap Delete Backup .

Alternatively, you can save a backup on your computer. The method differs depending on whether you have a Mac or a Windows PC; Apple explains in detail how it works on a support page .

Beta registration

Once the backup is complete, you sign up for Apple's beta program and register the device on which you want to install the software. This takes just a few minutes, and you can get started right away. To do this, go to Settings > General > Software Update . There, you can select the pre-release version of iOS 26 under Beta Updates and install it like any other firmware update. With one difference: You can't prevent the device from sending diagnostic data to Apple.

Liquid Glass

As previous developer betas have shown, Apple is still experimenting with the new Liquid Glass design. Specifically, it's focusing on how transparent elements in the user interface and system apps are. The first public beta of iOS is quite "transparent."

This starts with the lock screen, with the time and the flashlight and camera icons. When scrolling through notifications, the background darkens for better readability, and the long, drawn-out time text is compressed before disappearing from the screen. New dynamic backgrounds adjust their colors according to the time of day.

Redesigned app icons and camera app

Going to the home screen, the first thing you might notice are the redesigned icons for system apps like Settings or the App Store. The camera app icon, which now resembles a lens, also immediately catches your eye. The dock is also transparent. Folders on the home screen have a nice effect. When placed over background objects, they distort them like curved glass.

In the camera app, the black areas are also transparent. They adapt to the surroundings, darkening close-ups, among other things. The additional options, which you drag from the side or bottom of the display depending on the orientation, also have a transparent background. Furthermore, the animation when switching modes is smoother.

Compact mode for Safari, new options for unknown callers

The Safari browser not only features new, transparent controls like other Apple apps. It now offers a compact layout option, along with the ability to display address entry and search at the top or bottom. Bookmarks, tab functions, and sharing are housed in a three-dot menu to the right of the bar. Scrolling down minimizes the bar in all three layouts.

The beta brings new options to the Phone app for dealing with unknown callers. You can treat them as calls from known numbers, have the iPhone ask for more information before ringing, or silence them entirely, send them to voicemail, and display them in your call log.

Summarize messages

The public beta of iOS 26 offers the option to have notifications summarized using AI. The corresponding settings note that this is a beta feature and is subject to errors. In previous developer versions, the feature produced incorrect summaries and has therefore been temporarily disabled.

AI search via screenshots

The update also brings the ability to launch an AI image search from a screenshot. After taking a screenshot, you'll see an icon in the bottom right corner. Tapping it will provide a selection of results for objects or people the AI has recognized in the screenshot.

Minor changes

CarPlay also sports a Liquid Glass design and new wallpapers. In the Passwords app, you can allow the app to contact websites. This allows you to display the names and icons of apps and websites for which you've saved items, and to find out if a website supports passkeys .