Apple today released the fifth public beta version of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and tvOS 26, allowing the public to test these updates before their official release in September. The fifth public beta was released a week after the fourth public beta, with updates that correspond with the eighth developer beta released earlier today.
Those who have signed up for the public beta on Apple's website can download the latest iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 public beta by opening the Settings or System Settings app, going to the General section, clicking Software Update, and then selecting the iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 public beta option.
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 feature Apple’s Liquid Glass design, a visual aesthetic focused on transparency. Icons, menu buttons, navigation bars and other elements reflect and refract light with subtle animations. Menus pop up in some areas, the tab bar shrinks, and all elements take on a more rounded appearance.
Apple Intelligence introduces several new features, such as Visual Intelligence for taking screenshots, updated order tracking in the Wallet app, new functionality in Reminders, and real-time translation for Messages, Calls, and FaceTime apps. Image Playground provides ChatGPT style options, and Genmoji supports mixing two or more emojis to create new emoticons.
2D photos take on a more realistic 3D look with Space Scenes, and Safari has updated navigation. The "Phone" app has new "Call Screening" and "Hold Assist" features to save you time; the "Messages" app supports custom backgrounds and voting functions. Apple Music has added a DJ-like automatic mixing function, CarPlay has a new interface, a new Apple Games app has been launched, and the "Preview" function has also landed on iPhone for the first time.
macOS Tahoe features the same Liquid Glass design as iOS 26 and extends to app icons, folders, Dock, in-app navigation, menus, Control Center, and menu bar. The control center and menu bar are customizable, and you can also customize folders, app icons, and widgets.
The Safari browser's tab design and sidebar have been updated, and Apple has also brought the "Phone" app to Mac to facilitate users to make calls through Wi-Fi calling. The Phone app supports new Call Screening and Hold Assist features.
Spotlight has been completely upgraded with improved search capabilities and the ability to perform hundreds of actions without opening the app. In addition, new game applications have been added, and game overlays have been added so developers can use Metal 4.