Eighth Developer Beta from iOS 26: Has Apple ended testing?

Is there still a ninth or tenth beta or was it already? Apple has presented the eighth preview version of iOS 26 for developers. Immediately afterwards – and without the usual waiting time – the fifth public beta appeared for normal users. Observers therefore suspect that Apple now wants to end the test phase. The same could also apply to MacOS 26, whose beta versions number eight (developer) and number five (public) appeared on Tuesday night, as were two new betas for iPados 26 and TVOS 26.

How it works otherwise

Should Apple really proceed as suspected, the releasing candidate version (RC) would be next. However, there are still a few weeks of this. It is currently expected that new iPhones and Apple watch models are presented around September 9th. As usual, the new operating systems could then appear a week later. A lot can still happen between the last beta and release candidate. Apple has to find and fix the last mistake. Even the RC version does not have to be the final version, here too there are still change options.

In the past, it also happened that Apple had to present an adapted iOS when new iPhones appeared. This should actually have been done due to new wireless update machines, at least for devices bought in Apple shops. Last year Apple presented the eighth beta on August 28th at iOS 18. Then it went straight to the RC phase. The simultaneous appearance of the developer and public betas is a sign for this, since more people can check the last pre-version faster.

Glassy back and forth

iOS 26, but also MacOS 26 and the other new operating systems, will be particularly exciting this year. Apple has made the biggest changes since iOS 7 with the liquid glass UI. They took some getting used to for testers. Icons are different, menus and dipsticks as well as input fields crazy. Apple screwed around the transparency of the elements forever, made the glass effect less strong, sometimes stronger.

With all the discussion about the look, however, the many small details were lost, which Apple has integrated for the first time. This starts with the possibility of finally capturing location courses in Apple Maps, leads via a significantly improved file management to an IPADOS 26, which finally brings the long -awaited almost unrestricted window management. As usual, the new operating systems cost nothing. For stress -free beta tests from MacOS 26, a virtual machine is recommended, for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Apple Watch, it is best to use a device that is currently not in productive operation. A little practice with Liquid Glass cannot harm before the introduction in mid -September.