Apple on Tuesday released the fourth developer beta of its next big software update, iOS 26, which brings with it slight changes to its Liquid Glass redesign and the re-introduction of AI-powered notification summaries for news, among other updates.
The rollout arrived just ahead of the iOS 26 public beta, which is expected to launch later this week.
The developer betas are meant to give mobile app makers time to test their apps with Apple’s new software so they’re ready for the public launch of the new operating system in the next few months. Because of consumer demand for early releases, Apple for years has been offering public betas following its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. This allows iPhone owners to also get their hands on the updated software before its wider, global launch, but with fewer stability issues and bugs.
The latest developer beta (iOS 26 beta 4) largely reflects what users can expect in the coming public beta.
iOS 26 beta 4 introduces a new “Welcome” splash screen when you first update the software, plus introductory screens for various features, like Siri and its AI-powered notification summaries and prioritization options, as well as for iOS 26’s revamped Camera app.
Earlier this year, Apple was forced to put its AI notification summaries on pause after complaints by the BBC, which said the feature had misrepresented one of its headlines. The AI-powered news summary claimed Luigi Mangione, the person charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had died by suicide, which wasn’t true. As a result, Apple said a software update would be released to clarify when the text shows an AI summarization.
The setup screen for this AI summarization feature, still in beta, includes a warning message under the “News & Entertainment” section. Here, Apple notes that “Summarization may change the meaning of the original headlines” and advises users to “Verify information.”
Other early adopters of the new beta also found that Apple is continuing to refine its user interface redesign known as Liquid Glass.
While beta 3 pulled back on some of the more transparent elements in some apps, beta 4 reverses things again. Testers have pointed to updates in apps like the App Store, Photos, Apple Music, Weather, and elsewhere, and noted that the Notification Center also adds a dynamic tint as you scroll.
The updated software additionally includes a new dynamic wallpaper, which changes colors, and new CarPlay wallpapers.
Release notes for beta 4 had not been published on Apple’s Developer website at the time of publication, so there is likely more to be spotted, especially in terms of minor bug fixes and performance improvements.
Alongside today’s release, Apple also launched new versions of its other betas, including iPadOS 26 beta 4, macOS 26 beta 4, watchOS 26 beta 4, tvOS 26 beta 4, visionOS 26 beta 4, and Xcode 26 beta 4.
