Apple officially unveiled iOS 26 during the WWDC keynote on June 9, 2025, confirming it will arrive as a free software update this fall
🧪 Beta Timeline
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Developer Beta: Released on June 9, 2025, immediately after the WWDC announcement, for registered Apple developers
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Public Beta: Launched around July 23, 2025, through the Apple Beta Software Program, giving anyone a chance to test the new OS before launch
🚀 Full Public Release
Apple traditionally launches the full iOS update shortly after the iPhone event in September. Based on historical patterns:
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iOS 18: Sept 16, 2024
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iOS 17: Sept 18, 2023
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iOS 16: Sept 12, 2022
By analog, it's likely that iOS 26 will be released around mid‑September 2025—possibly on Tuesday, September 16—a week after the expected announcement of the iPhone 17 series
News reports also suggest the official rollout will land around the third week of September, aligning with previous releases strategically timed with iPhone hardware launches. One Indian outlet pins the global rollout for September 16, 2025, closely following an Apple hardware announcement
📅 Summary: Release Schedule
| Release Stage | |
|---|---|
| WWDC Announcement | June 9, 2025 |
| Developer Beta | June 9, 2025 |
| Public Beta (estimated) | Around July 23, 2025 |
| Full Public Release | Mid‑September 2025 (likely around Sept 16) |
✨ Why It Matters
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Early testing: Developer and public betas let users and developers explore features like Liquid Glass UI, Apple Intelligence, battery enhancements (Adaptive Power Mode, slow charger warnings), and app upgrades before the official launch
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iPhone 17 timing: The official release coincides with the anticipated launch of the iPhone 17 lineup in early September 2025, maximizing compatibility and user readiness