The thrill round iOS 26 has been going since WWDC 2025. The most important visible revamp, referred to as Liquid Glass, is the spotlight, however Apple has crammed a wide variety of sweets in with it, and the ones sweets are being slowly filtered into the beta unlock, which other people can take a look at at this time.
The primary beta made its rounds the similar day iOS 26 was once introduced, and Apple has formally introduced beta 2 with some enhancements and improvements. As with maximum beta releases, Apple is operating most commonly on steadiness and insect fixes, however has tossed in a couple of adjustments and extras right here and there that it’s possible you’ll no longer to find except you understand the place to seem.
So, with out burying the lede an excessive amount of, here’s the whole lot that Apple incorporated with the iOS 26 beta 2 unlock. If in case you have get right of entry to to the beta program already, you must be capable to replace your telephone to the beta at this time.
Liquid Glass adjustments
Apple’s number one focal point on iOS 26 beta 2 was once solving some Liquid Glass proceedings. The main one was once the Keep watch over Middle. Within the first beta, the transparency brought about the Keep watch over Middle’s more than a few buttons and sliders to mix in with the content material in the back of it, making it steadily tricky to look what you have been seeking to do. As we predicted, beta 2 fixes this downside with a more potent blur impact.
This additionally applies to the notifications, because the glassy look may additionally lead them to tricky to learn. The adjustments listed here are delicate and can most probably require some further tweaking, particularly on mild backgrounds. Then again, they’re slightly clearer than ahead of.
There have been any other minor adjustments to the UI. Here’s a transient record:
Dock – Apps are actually left-aligned as a substitute of center-aligned when fewer than 4 apps are provide.
Parallax impact – This selection was once introduced at WWDC 2025 however not noted of beta 1. It’s now to be had in beta 2. Parallax impact is a three-D show characteristic that creates a delicate sense of intensity while you tilt the telephone. It impacts your iPhone’s wallpaper, notifications, and app icons.
Prime Distinction Mode – Provides a border to Liquid Glass components to lead them to more straightforward to look. You’ll be able to see what they appear to be on this Reddit submit.
New ringtone and notification badge
We’ll staff those two in combination since they deal in the similar enviornment. First, Apple incorporated a brand new ringtone referred to as Alt 1. It’s a special take at the Mirrored image ringtone, and is filed below it within the ringtone menu. The default model nonetheless exists within the menu as neatly. You’ll be able to concentrate to the new ringtone right here.
Mashable Mild Velocity
Moreover, there’s a new blue notification badge. This badge handiest presentations up in case you get a notification from an unknown sender. Common notifications nonetheless ship pink badges.
Credit score: Apple
Myriad app tweaks
For the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple made a large number of minor adjustments to the iPhone’s core apps. Right here’s a short lived rundown:
Safari – Apple moved the brand new tab button to the ground left nook as a substitute of the highest left nook. The Extra Menu has been reorganized as neatly.
App Retailer – There’s a new Accessibility web page to be had on product pages. Builders may give details about which accessibility options have compatibility with their apps.
Pockets – Apple introduced an order monitoring characteristic at WWDC 2025. It’s now provide within the Pockets app in beta 2.
Apple Track – There’s a new Are living Radio widget to be had in case you simply wish to concentrate to fast tunes and don’t thoughts letting Apple Track make the choices for you.
Save Name Transcripts – Apple modified the identify of its Transcribe Calls characteristic to Save Name Transcripts. The outline may be up to date to let the person know that the opposite caller will likely be warned that they’re being recorded.
Siri – Siri now presentations ChatGPT utilization limits and provides a Plus subscription improve to take away the ones limits.
Low Energy Mode rationalization
Beta 2 brings a brand new description for Apple’s Low Energy Mode. The characteristic is designed to make use of much less machine assets to lend a hand squeak out as a lot battery as conceivable with out dramatically impacting telephone use. Since Apple is so adept at stuff like this, it leads to a reasonably large battery build up, however it does make the telephone moderately extra gradual for extra in depth duties.
After all, right here’s what the brand new description says.
“iPhone will briefly cut back some background actions, processing velocity, show refresh fee and brightness, and prohibit positive options comparable to 5G, iCloud syncing, mail fetch, and extra.”
Lots of worm fixes and new options for builders
Apple posted its changelog for iOS 26 beta, and it contains much more stuff. Some large problems from beta 1 have been resolved, together with iPhone 15 and 16 units appearing a low battery image and refusing to begin up. There also are a lot of new issues added to Apple’s SDKs for builders to mess around with. Honest caution, the changelog is quite lengthy.
The iOS 26 beta 2 is surely an growth over beta 1. It’s additionally great to look Cupertino being attentive to comments, like with the Keep watch over Middle transparency factor. If you happen to’re on beta 1 and are questioning in case you must continue to beta 2, the solution is a convincing sure. For everybody else, we nonetheless suggest looking ahead to the whole unlock later this 12 months with the following iPhone release.
