Apple is rolling out the Developer Beta 9 and sixth Public Beta for iOS 26 on supported iPhones, signaling one of the longest beta testing cycles since iOS 13. Despite the lengthy list of betas, testers have not reported any major visual changes or new features in the latest release.
Beta 9 and Public Beta 6: Nearing the Final Stretch
The build number for Developer Beta 9 jumps to 23A5336a, just a week after Beta 8. Previous betas, including last week’s, have focused primarily on bug fixes, stability enhancements, and under-the-hood improvements. The absence of noticeable changes suggests that Apple is preparing for the imminent release of the iOS 26 Release Candidate (RC), which is expected to roll out on September 9, 2025—coinciding with the highly anticipated “Awe dropping” event and the debut of the iPhone 17 series.
Historic Beta Cycle
This iOS 26 cycle marks the first instance since iOS 13 that more than eight betas have preceded a stable release. In contrast, earlier versions have seen up to twelve betas, illustrating Apple’s rigorous commitment to quality and stability with major updates.
No Major Visual Tweaks
Apple has maintained the same design language across recent beta releases, with no visual changes introduced in Beta 9. The new Liquid Glass aesthetic, first highlighted at WWDC, has appeared in earlier builds and is expected to define the look and feel of iOS 26 across the Lock Screen, Home Screen, and several key apps.
Anticipating the Stable Release
Beta testers enrolled in the Developer or Public Beta programs can update by navigating to Settings → General → Software Update → Update Now. The general public is likely to receive the stable iOS 26 release a week after the RC drops, around September 16, 2025.
Updates Beyond iPhones
Alongside iOS 26, Apple has also seeded Developer Beta 9 for iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, and tvOS 26, keeping all major platforms in sync for the upcoming launch season.