Apple has released the iOS 26.1 third beta for iPhone, a step that confirms that the first major revision of iOS 26 is entering its final phase. The build is being offered to developers and comes with visible tweaks and under-the-hood adjustments.
The company maintains the pace of testing with a view to a public availability in late October or early November, as long as there are no last-minute issues. Although beta versions for other platforms have arrived, here we focus on what's changed on the iPhone.
Key new features in iOS 26.1 beta 3
One of the most obvious aesthetic changes is the new Apple TV app icon, which adopts a design more in line with the system's visual line. It's a minor tweak, but it helps unify the aesthetic.
In the code there are references that point to an opening of the system for Support third-party AI providers beyond ChatGPTIf confirmed in future versions, the user will be able to choose alternatives when they become available.
A setting is also being tested. Forwarding notifications to non-Apple watches and accessoriesThe option, located in Settings > Notifications, would expand notification compatibility to third-party wearables.
As usual at this stage, you will notice Stability improvements, bug fixes, and minor interface tweaks that polish the overall experience on a day-to-day basis.
What iOS 26.1 already included in previous betas
Apple has expanded compatibility for Apple Intelligence with new languages: Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish and Vietnamese, extending functions to more countries.
La AirPods Live Translation adds support for Chinese (Traditional and Simplified Mandarin), Italian, Japanese, and Korean. The feature debuted in iOS 26 on AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4, with initial support for English (US and UK), French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).
In the multimedia section, Apple Music lets you change songs by swiping in the mini player. The Photos app, meanwhile, updates its video controls with a more modern Liquid Glass style.
The system also incorporates small design changes in Phone, Calendar, Safari, and Game Mode, as well as visible adjustments in Settings and folders (alignment and typography) and slight variations of the Liquid Glass effect.
On the alarm screen the gesture returns to stop an alarm by swiping, a nod to the classic “slide to unlock” that reduces accidental keystrokes.
Availability and schedule
With beta 3 now available for developers, all indications are that There are only a few weeks left for the final versionA release candidate (RC) is expected if no major issues arise before the release to the general public.
How to install iOS 26.1 beta on your iPhone
First of all, remember that this is about software in testing: You may experience errors or unwanted behavior. Make sure your iPhone is compatible and that you've linked your Apple ID to the Developer Program.
- Open Settings > General > Software update.
- Under Beta Updates, select iOS 26 Developer Beta.
- Return to the previous screen and download/install when it appears.
You can also choose to install manually with the official firmware from your computer, and it is always advisable to perform a backup beforeTo return to a stable version, you'll need to restore to a public build.
With all these changes, iOS beta 26.1 3 It's shaping up to be an update that combines practical improvements (languages, gestures, and visual tweaks) with future-proofing like openness to third-party AI and support for notifications on non-Apple accessories, pending confirmation in the final release.
