Apple on Tuesday launched its sixth developer beta of its cell working system, iOS 26, together with updates for iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac, and others. As the brand new software program will get nearer to its September public launch date, the modifications and tweaks aren’t as vital, however there are nonetheless some surprises to be discovered. In beta 6, that features a new collection of ringtones, a remaining resolution on the Digicam swiping route controversy, a brand new onboarding expertise, and different updates.
The addition of half a dozen new ringtones, all a variant of the “reflection” tune, was an sudden addition that’s already getting consideration on social media. Early adopters are significantly enthused in regards to the “Dreamer” ringtone, which has been described as going “laborious,” “loopy good,” and “such a bop,” amongst different issues. It would even encourage some to take their telephones out of silent mode for a change.
Additionally new in iOS 26 beta 6 is a brand new replace on the controversial change to the Digicam app.
There was fairly a little bit of backlash over the way in which Apple modified how the Digicam mode switcher responds to the touch. Customers complained that the change, launched in prior betas, broke their muscle reminiscence, because the swipe gesture on this interface would reverse the scroll route they have been used to — which was the identical design paradigm that every one different native Apple apps use. In beta 5, Apple responded to those complaints by introducing a brand new Settings toggle that might will let you change again to “Basic Mode,” which might as soon as once more make the Digicam app work like all others.
It wouldn’t have been stunning for Apple to go this route. When it needs to make a serious person interface change, it usually provides a fallback for individuals who don’t just like the replace. That’s why you may nonetheless toggle off “Pure scrolling” on the MacBook’s Trackpad, and you may transfer Safari’s tackle bar again to the highest of the display on iPhone. However on this case, Apple appears to have determined the Digicam route isn’t a combat price having. In beta 6, it eliminated the Settings toggle and adjusted the scroll route again to the way in which it was earlier than.
Different notable updates within the new beta embody quicker transitions and the introduction of recent open and shut animations for launching apps
Liquid Glass, the up to date person interface for Apple units, can also be nonetheless being subtly tweaked for readability in some areas and extra “glassiness” in others. This time, the modifications have added extra colour dispersion as you progress between an app’s tabs utilizing the clear, magnifying glass-like selector. The Lock Display screen and toggles additionally now supply Liquid Glass results.
After you replace the OS, you’ll see a brand new startup/onboarding expertise, as nicely, which is used to introduce Liquid Glass and different iOS 26 options, just like the darkish and clear icons and redesigned interfaces in numerous apps.
As with different beta releases, you may anticipate some bug fixes, however you could come throughout new ones as Apple strikes ahead with the software program improvement course of. Nevertheless, customers report that general, this beta feels extra secure and a lot quicker than prior releases, suggesting that Apple is nearing its public launch.
Now that the developer beta has been launched, these testing the public beta ought to anticipate an replace quickly.
