Apple has unveiled its next set of operating systems for its many device lines. Called iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26 and visionOS 26, the first developer beta previews are available. The software is offering a drastic change in its outlook. It is, in fact, the biggest design update since iOS 7.
A public beta will be available in July for those who want to test the major software upgrades several months in advance before the operating systems come to all consumers in the fall.
Before you install, remember this is a developer beta, so the software is unfinished. It is meant to test a new update to look for bugs. We will recommend that you install it only on an older device and not the one you use currently. Also, backup your data before installing any beta offering.
To get going, get an Apple Developer account and be logged into your device with it. On supported devices, visit the Settings app, tap General and select Software Updates. From there, you can change the Beta Updates setting to allow developer betas for the new 26 series operating systems.
The iPhones that will work with iOS 26 include iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 and 12 Mini, iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd gen or newer).
The iPadOS 26 update supports the following iPads: M4 iPad Pro, 11-inch iPad Pro (1st gen or newer), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd gen or newer), M2 iPad Air, iPad Air (3rd gen or newer), A17 Pro iPad Mini, iPad Mini (5th gen or newer), A16 iPad and iPad (8th gen or later).
macOS Tahoe and
Intel-based Macs
macOS Tahoe will be the last major release that will support Intel-based Macs.
With macOS Tahoe, supported Intel-based Macs will get access to the new design, Spotlight updates, Continuity features, and more.
Intel-based Macs, supported in macOS Tahoe, will continue to receive security updates for three years. Supported Intel-based Macs include MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports), iMac (27-inch, 2020) and Mac Pro (2019).
