Apple Releases iOS 26.2 Beta 1 for Developers

Apple has rolled out the first developer beta of iOS 26.2 and it doesn't seem like a feature-heavy update. Instead, the new build polishes existing Apple apps and introduces a handful of refinements to improve day-to-day usability.

iOS 26.2 Developer Beta fine-tunes Apple's Sleep Score system

The latest build comes just a day after the iOS 26.1 public build rolled out and one of the more noticeable changes arrives in Apple's Sleep Score system, which now features updated rating categories. The scoring scale has been rebalanced, with the "Excellent" now replaced with "Very High".

Additionally, the threshold of each range has been tweaked to offer more realistic insights into users' sleep quality. Apple has reportedly made this adjustment based on user feedback that previous scores were overly generous. 

In addition, the Lock Screen gains a new "Liquid Glass" slider, letting users fine-tune the opacity of the clock for a more customisable aesthetic. The Apple News app also sees UI updates, including a refreshed navigation bar with quick-access categories, as well as a clearer "Following" section. 

Meanwhile, for Podasts,  Apple is testing AI-generated chapters and smarter deep links. On the other hand, the Reminders app now offers the ability to trigger alarms for urgent tasks. AirPods Live Translation is reportedly expanding to users in the EU as well. 

Now, as with most ".2" releases, the iOS 26.2 developer beta prioritises refinements over major features. The beta is currently available for registered developers, with a public beta expected soon and a general rollout likely in December. 

That said, eligible users can install the iOS 26.2 Developer Beta 1 by heading over to Settings -> Settings -> Software Update -> Update Now.