Apple has released the third public betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, giving anyone signed up for its beta programme a chance to try the updates ahead of their expected September rollout. The release comes a week after the second public betas, and Apple has also pushed out a new build of the sixth iOS 26 developer beta.
Public beta testers can install the updates by opening the Settings app, going to General, tapping Software Update, and selecting either the iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 Public Beta option.
What’s new in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26
The updates feature Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design, which uses transparency and light effects in the interface. Icons, menus, and navigation bars have subtle animations and a softer, rounded look. Some menus pop out, tab bars shrink, and light appears to reflect and refract in the screen.
Apple is adding several Apple Intelligence tools, including Visual Intelligence for screenshots, updated order tracking in Wallet, and new features in Reminders. Messages, Phone, and FaceTime now offer live translation. Image Playground includes ChatGPT-style creative options, while Genmoji lets users combine emoji to make new ones.
A new Spatial Scene feature gives 2D photos more depth. Safari navigation has been refreshed, and the Phone app now includes call screening and a Hold Assist feature. Messages gains customisable backgrounds and polls. Apple Music has a DJ-like AutoMix feature, CarPlay has a redesigned interface, and a new Apple Games app debuts. Preview, an app familiar to macOS users, also comes to iPhone for the first time.
The company has also released the third public betas of watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and HomePod 26.
Focus on stability
Earlier this week, Apple shipped developer beta 6 for iOS 26 and its other platforms. The public beta 3 releases match that developer version. The latest updates mostly aim to fix bugs and improve stability, especially with the final release just over a month away.
For watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and HomePod 26, no major new features have appeared in this beta cycle. Most changes in this round are seen in iOS 26, with new ringtones and refinements to Liquid Glass.
As the release date approaches, future betas are expected to focus on performance improvements and smoothing out any remaining issues, making today’s builds some of the most stable so far.
Court rules against Apple and Google in Fortnite dispute
In other Apple-related news, Australia’s Federal Court has found both Apple and Google misused their market power in a case brought by Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. The dispute began in 2020 when the tech giants removed Fortnite from their app stores after Epic introduced its own in-app payment system that bypassed Apple and Google’s commissions.
Epic responded with legal action in multiple countries. The Australian court ruled that Apple’s and Google’s dominance in app distribution reduced competition and likely forced developers to pay higher fees.
“This is a WIN [sic] for developers and consumers in Australia!” Epic Games said in a statement. However, the court dismissed Epic’s claims that the companies engaged in unconscionable conduct.
A Google spokesperson said the company disagreed with some of the findings and would review the full decision before deciding on next steps. Lawyers in Australia have filed a class action seeking compensation for affected developers and users.
Kimi Nishimura of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers called the decision “a turning point,” saying it shows that “even the most powerful corporations must play by the rules and respect the rights of consumers and developers alike.”
Fortnite remains one of the most popular games globally, with hundreds of millions of registered players.
(Photo by AltumCode)
See also: Epic Games blasts’ weak’ plan to break Apple, Google mobile grip
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