visual tweaks, app updates, AI tools

Apple is testing more changes in its second developer beta for iOS 26. The update follows announcements made at WWDC 2025, and include a fresh naming system, interface updates, and small functional changes in apps.

All Apple operating systems will now follow a year-based naming format. That means this year’s updates are called iOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, iPadOS 26, and visionOS 26.

A new design style, called Liquid Glass, is also rolling out. It adds transparency to menus and icons in devices, making the interface look more consistent whether users are on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The new look doesn’t completely drop Apple’s flat design but builds on it with glass-like layering and depth.

iOS 26 updates: More control, more AI

iOS 26 brings added lock screen customisation, including dynamic fonts that resize based on notification volume, and the Camera app has been simplified to make core functions easier to reach.

Phone and Messages are getting new features, especially around Apple Intelligence. Call screening will silence likely spam, plus a feature called Hold Assist will stay on the line for you during long hold times and alert you when someone answers. Voicemail summaries are also part of the update.

A translation feature will handle both text and calls, offering real-time captions on FaceTime and automatic message translation. If the tool proves accurate, it could help remove language barriers during day-to-day conversations.

Developer beta 2 adds design refinements

On 23 June 2025, Apple released iOS 26 developer beta 2, build number to 23A5276f. The version builds on the Liquid Glass visuals shown at WWDC, but with more polish.

Changes include darker tones in Control Center, stronger blur effects, and small layout updates in Safari. The browser’s ‘More’ button now shows all options in a single column, and the tab layout has been slightly adjusted.

A handful of standard iPhone wallpapers missing from the first beta have been restored. The updated Glass wallpaper now shifts in response to device movement, similar to the parallax feature from earlier iOS versions. There’s also a fix for a bug where lock screen widgets overlapped Focus Mode labels.

Small audio and alert changes

According to Mashable SEA, there’s a new ringtone listed as Alt 1, grouped under the existing Reflection tone. The original version is still available.

Notification badges also have a minor update – messages from unknown senders now show a blue badge, while other alerts remain red.

App changes in the board

Several built-in apps have been adjusted in the iOS 26 Beta 2:

• Safari: The new tab button has moved from the top left to the bottom left. The More menu layout has also changed.
• App Store: Product pages now include an Accessibility section where developers can highlight compatible features.
• Wallet: An order tracking function, first mentioned at WWDC, is now visible.
• Apple Music: A widget for quick access to live radio is now available.
• Phone: The Transcribe Calls feature is now called Save Call Transcripts. The updated label makes it clear that callers will be notified when transcription is active.
• Siri: Siri now displays ChatGPT use limits and offers a Plus plan to lift restrictions.

Low Power Mode explained

Apple has revised the text for Low Power Mode to clarify what’s affected. It confirms that when this mode is on, the phone slows down certain tasks, dims the screen, and limits features like 5G, background mail fetch, and iCloud sync. This helps conserve battery at the cost of some performance.

Bug fixes and tools for developers

Several bugs from the first beta have been addressed, including a startup issue on iPhone 15 and 16 models that incorrectly showed a low battery warning. There are also updates to Apple’s developer toolkits, including the Foundation Models framework. This gives developers a way to build Apple Intelligence tools into third-party apps. Visual Intelligence, which analyses images, now works with screenshots.

The second beta is more stable and responsive than the first, the company says. Some changes, like tweaks to the Control Center and Safari layout, appear to reflect developer feedback. For testers already using beta 1, updating is likely worth it. For everyone else, the full public release is expected later this year, probably with the next iteration of the iPhone.

(Photo by Daniel Romero)

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