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iOS 26 Developer Beta can be accessed through an Apple Developer account.
A full iPhone backup is recommended before installing the beta version.
The beta is installed via the Settings app once the developer profile is downloaded.
Apple's iOS 26 is here for developers to play with! This means you can get a sneak peek at all the cool stuff coming to your iPhone in the next update. Just remember, since it's a beta, it might have a few glitches. But if you're curious, it's a way to see what Apple's been up to.
Getting the iOS 26 Developer Beta on your iPhone takes a few steps, but don't worry, it's not too hard. You'll need to sign up for the Apple Developer Program, back up your phone (just in case!), and then get the update straight from Apple.
Also Read: iOS 26: 5 Upgrades Every iPhone User is Waiting For
First things first, make sure your iPhone can actually run iOS 26. Usually, the newest iPhones and some of the older ones get the update. Apple usually stops supporting phones that are, say, five or six years old. Just check out the official iOS 26 preview page, and you'll find a list of iPhones that work with it.
Heads up: the iOS 26 Developer Beta is only for those in the Apple Developer Program. It costs money to join, but it gives you tools, early software versions, and a chance to test your apps.
Here's how to sign up:
Go to the Apple Developer Program website.
Log in with your Apple ID.
Pay the fee and verify your info.
Once you're in, you can download the beta profile.
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Seriously, don't skip this part. Betas can be buggy, and you don't want to lose all your stuff. Back up your iPhone using iCloud, Finder (on a Mac), or iTunes (on a Windows PC). Make sure to encrypt the backup so it saves your passwords and health data. Saving it to your computer will make restoring it faster, too.
Okay, once you've backed up and your developer account is ready, you need to download the beta profile.
Here's how:
On your iPhone, go to the Apple Developer website.
Go to the Downloads area under the iOS section.
Pick iOS 26 Developer Beta and tap Install Profile.
Follow the instructions, and restart your iPhone when it asks.
This gets your iPhone ready to grab the beta update.
After your iPhone restarts, go to the Software Update section:
Open the Settings app.
Tap General & Software Update.
You should see the iOS 26 Developer Beta there.
Tap Download and Install to get started.
This might take a while, so plug in your iPhone and connect to Wi-Fi.
The iOS 26 update has some neat new features to make your iPhone better. Here are a few things to look for:
Home screen widgets that do more
A smarter lock screen with handy shortcuts
Better privacy settings for your apps
Siri works better with other apps
Speed improvements for older iPhones
Keep in mind that since it's a beta, not everything will be perfect. Apple will release updates to fix bugs and add stuff as they go.
If the beta isn't showing up in Software Update, try restarting your iPhone. If the profile didn't install right, remove it and try again. If your iPhone has big problems after installing the beta, you can restore it using the backup you made.
If you're still stuck, check out the Apple Developer forums. Other people testing the beta might have some answers.
Downloading the iOS 26 Developer Beta lets you try out Apple's new software early. It's great for developers and anyone who likes to see what's coming. But don't install it on your main iPhone unless you're okay with a few possible bugs.
The official iOS 26 will probably be out later this year. It'll be more stable for everyone. Until then, the beta gives you a sneak peek at what's on the horizon.
