macOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26 Public Betas Launch with Liquid Glass Design and Enhanced Features
Apple has launched the first public beta versions of its upcoming operating systems: macOS 26, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26. Released on Thursday, these beta versions introduce a new Liquid Glass design language across devices, allowing users to experience features before the official rollout. Additionally, a fresh developer build of iOS 26 Beta 4 was made available earlier in the week, enhancing the testing experience for developers.
New Features in macOS 26
The macOS 26 public beta is now accessible to users with compatible Mac computers. This version showcases the new Liquid Glass design, which is evident in the menu bar, dock, and desktop widgets. The Control Centre has been updated to mirror the designs found in iPadOS 26 and iOS 26, allowing users to view Live Activities from their iPhone directly in the menu bar.
Significant enhancements have also been made to the Spotlight app, which now includes filters for apps, files, shortcuts, and clipboard items. The Shortcuts app has been improved as well, enabling users to utilize both cloud-based and on-device machine learning models. Built-in applications such as Safari, Messages, Files, and FaceTime have received visual updates, including translucent glass-like effects. Notably, Messages now supports image backgrounds for chats and introduces a real-time translation feature for both FaceTime and Messages.
iPadOS 26 Enhancements
The first public beta of iPadOS 26 brings several new features that align with the recent developer beta releases. Users will find a menu bar similar to that of macOS, complete with controls from the active app. The ability to add file folders to the dock has been introduced, along with a feature that prevents the dock from disappearing when not in use.
A new window management system has also been implemented, allowing users to open and resize multiple windows while remembering their configurations for future sessions. Like macOS 26, iPadOS 26 supports Live Activities, enhancing the user experience across applications.
What’s New in watchOS 26
The watchOS 26 public beta is now available for eligible Apple Watch models, introducing the new Workout Buddy feature. This feature provides motivation during workouts by referencing past activity and statistics. Users can also utilize a new wrist flick gesture, and the long-awaited Notes app is now accessible on the Apple Watch.
While Liquid Glass design elements are present in watchOS 26, they are less prominent compared to iOS 26 and macOS 26. The Control Centre and the keypad for entering passcodes on the smartwatch have been updated with this new design language.
Installation and Considerations
Users interested in trying out macOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26 can download these public betas on their respective devices. However, it is important to note that these are pre-release versions and may contain bugs or glitches. Therefore, it is advisable to install them on secondary devices rather than primary ones used for critical tasks.
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