Apple seeded the third beta versions of iOS 26.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.1 to developers on Monday. They come a week after beta testing began for the next major updates to the operating systems.
iPadOS 26.1 beta 3, watchOS 26.1 beta 3, tvOS 26.1 beta 3 and visionOS 26.1 beta 3 also went out on developers.
The final versions of these updates are expected to reach iPhone, Mac, etc. users around the world in mid- to late-autumn.
iOS 26.1 beta 3 and macOS Tahoe 26.1 beta 3: Working through the process
iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 launched September 15 with the new Liquid Glass look, plus a range of other enhancements. And iPadOS 26 brought a significant revamp to tablets.
But Apple never stops working on its operating systems. Whenever there’s a new version, iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV users can be confident that a fresh round of betas isn’t far behind. Hence Monday’s release to developers of their third look at iOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, as well as the iPad and Apple Watch equivalents.
These will eventually become the first major updates to Apple operating systems, which are important because many users refuse to install the initial releases. They wait until the first update on the theory that it gives Apple more time to iron out bugs.
The build numbers for Apple betas always end in a letter, with the first betas starting somewhere in the middle of the alphabet in a countdown to “a,” The ones seeded to developers on Monday end in “d” or “e,” giving Apple space to introduce additional betas before the launch — perhaps in November.
Small “bug fix” updates already went out to all iPhone and Mac users, and more are possible before the next major update.
Check our list of what was new in iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 beta 2. Apple changed the way alarms are silenced and brought Slide Over back to iPad.
New Apple betas are just for devs
iOS 26.1 beta 3, macOS Tahoe 26.1 beta 3, iPadOS 26.1 beta 3, and so on can be downloaded now by registered members of Apple’s developer program.
However, those in the Apple Beta Software Program must wait begin testing these pre-release versions. That said, the wait probably won’t be long — the public betas could be out as soon as Tuesday.