Apple bets continue for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26

Apple has released the sixth developer betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, highlighting a new Liquid Glass design and a Mac like multitasking upgrade for iPad.

Apple Seeds Sixth Developer Betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26

Apple today released the sixth developer betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 to registered developers, following the fifth beta released a week earlier. Developers can download the updates through the Software Update option in the Settings app.

The betas highlight the new Liquid Glass design, which emphasizes translucency across key surfaces such as the Lock Screen, Home Screen, and Control Center, as well as menus and buttons in apps. In addition to the visuals, the updates include refinements to core apps like Messages, Phone, Shortcuts, and Apple Music, along with new Apple Intelligence features and a revamp for CarPlay. iPadOS 26 introduces a completely new multitasking system that supports multiple app windows for a more Mac like experience.

The rapid beta cadence signals Apple is testing a broad aesthetic and feature push while gathering developer feedback. The Liquid Glass look aims to unify the user experience across devices, but its readability and accessibility on smaller screens will be watched closely by designers and engineers. The iPadOS 26 multitasking shift could reshape how users work on tablets, nudging developers toward more windowed, system level features that mirror desktop behavior.

Together, the betas suggest Apple wants a more integrated and capable platform. If the changes hold, developers may need to rethink app layouts and interactions to leverage deeper multitasking, while users could see a more cohesive but busier interface across devices.

Highlights

Apple continues to push a bold visual language while expanding system level features for developers and users