iOS 26 beta 6 released

Apple releases iOS 26 developer beta 6 with new ringtones, faster app launches, and adjustments to the Camera swipe gesture ahead of a public launch.

iOS 26 beta 6 brings new ringtones and faster app launches

Apple released its sixth developer beta of iOS 26 along with updates for iPadOS, watchOS, macOS and more as it nears a planned September public launch. The beta adds six new ringtones based on a reflection motif, led by Dreamer, and it promises faster app launches along with updated animations and a new onboarding sequence to showcase Liquid Glass and other interface refinements.

On the Camera app, beta 6 reverses the previously controversial swipe change by removing the Settings toggle that let users switch back to Classic Mode. The scroll direction is restored to the prior behavior, signaling Apple leaning toward a unified interaction style. The beta also emphasizes speed with faster transitions and new app launch animations, while adding visual tweaks to the Lock Screen and tabs for easier readability.

These beta changes show Apple balancing speed and polish with user memory. New ringtones signal a push toward personalization, while the decision to drop the optional revert option for the Camera swipe hints at a tighter design discipline.

That stance carries risk. Backlash can come quickly when users feel a core gesture is altered without a clear option to revert. If stability lags or new UI quirks appear, public perception can shift from curiosity to criticism as a launch nears.

Highlights

The path to a smoother but bolder iOS 26 launch continues with each beta update