If you’ve been holding out for the iOS 26 public beta, it looks like your wait is almost over. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is set to drop the first public beta sometime this week. In fact, Gurman points to Wednesday, July 23 as the likely release date.

Apple already said the public beta would arrive in July, but didn’t give us anything more specific, until now.

Alongside iOS 26, we’re expecting public betas of iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and HomePod software 26. There’s something new this year, too. For the first time, Apple will offer a public beta of its next major AirPods firmware update. That’s a big deal for early adopters who like living on the edge.

The one platform sitting this round out is visionOS. Apple’s official beta site confirms there are no public builds of visionOS 26 planned at this time.

If you want in, signing up is easy. Head to the Apple Beta Software Program site and enroll your devices. It’s totally free, but be smart, back up your iPhone, Mac, or whatever you’re using before you install anything. Beta software can be buggy, and nobody wants to lose their data.

All of these updates are already available through the developer beta program. A while back, Apple removed the $99 annual fee for dev beta access, though you still need to register for a developer account. That said, most people should stick with the public beta when it drops, it’s generally more stable and just easier to manage.

And now for the next big thing. iOS 27 rumors are already starting to bubble up.

Gurman says Apple is about to kick off development of iOS 27, and it’s going to focus heavily on foldable support. That lines up with long-standing rumors of a foldable iPhone, which could launch in the second half of next year. If that’s true, we’re looking at one of the biggest UI shifts in iOS history.

Stay tuned, things are about to get really interesting.

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Eric Sandler

Chief Writer at WiFi Planet

Eric Sandler is a veteran US tech writer with over 25 years of experience covering the latest advancements in the world of technology. From groundbreaking innovations to in-depth reviews, Eric has built a reputation for delivering insightful, reliable content. His work spans across a variety of tech topics, including smartphones, gadgets, AI, and more, making him a trusted voice in the industry.

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