Apple has finally released the third beta of its upcoming iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 update to developers for extended testing and you can download it right now on your compatible iPhone and iPad devices for free. The company has also released beta 3 of macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 to developers, which can be downloaded through the Settings app of your respective devices. Let's dive in to see how you can download and install the updates.
How to download Apple's latest iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26 beta 3 on your compatible devices
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beta can be downloaded through the Settings app on your iPhone and iPad, but you are required to connect your Apple ID to your Developer Account. If you have not, the OTA update will not show up in the Settings app. Once you do that, simply launch the Settings app and navigate to General > Software Update > Beta Updates > and follow the on-screen instructions to install the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 update. Do not be alarmed; the process is the same for iPhones and iPads.
As mentioned, the company has also released beta 3 of its macOS Tahoe 26 update and you can download the latest build from the Software Update section in System Settings. Currently, the build has a bug that disallows it to be installed on Apple's M-series of chips, but for all Intel-based Macs, the update can be installed through the same mechanism. Make sure you link your Apple ID to your Developer Account to receive the OTA update.
Lastly, alongside iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26, Apple has also released watchOS 26 and visionOS 26 to developers, and both updates can be downloaded through the Settings app. To install watchOS 26, make sure that your Apple Watch has over 50 percent of battery life and is placed on a charger. Once the prerequisites are met, launch the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and head over to General > Software Update > Beta Updates > and follow the on-screen instructions to download the update. The visionOS 26 update can also be downloaded through the Settings app of the Vision Pro.
As for what is new, we will wait for the developers to tinker with the latest updates to find out what the company has changed in the latest betas. All of the above-mentioned updates bring a significant redesign to the interface which the company is calling Liquid Glass and it remains to be seen what the general public perception is. The updates will be available later this year in September alongside the iPhone 17 launch.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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