Apple's latest developer beta adds AI-generated Apple Music playlists and early testing for encrypted RCS messaging.

Update February 23: The second beta of iOS 26.4 is out now for developers. It expands the testing environment for RCS encryption to include iPhone-to-Android messages.

Apple has released the first iOS 26 beta to developers, but even non-developers have the opportunity to download beta software updates on their iPhones for free. Keep reading to learn how it's done.

iOS 26 beta 1 for iPhone is now available for developers. Apple announced the next major software update for iPhone today as part of its WWDC 2025 keynote event. iOS 26 follows iOS 18 as each Apple ...