background

Apple Rolling Out iOS 26 Developer Beta 8 and Public Beta 5

This might probably be the last iOS 26 beta before the official release

Ajaay Srinivasan profile picture
by Ajaay Srinivasan
facebook iconfacebook icon
whatsapp iconwhatsapp icon
twitter icontwitter icon
Link Copied
copy link iconcopy link icon
illustration of the iPhone screens with iOS 26 developer beta 8 and public beta 5

Image Credit: Beebom Gadgets

Summary

  • Apple has rolled out the Developer Beta 8 and Public Beta 5 of iOS 26 for eligible iPhones.
  • With no visual differences, this might potentially be the last beta available for testers before the official stable release.
  • The iOS 26 Release Candidate could be the next update to roll out to testers, possibly on September 9, 2025.

Within a week of seeding the last beta builds, Apple has started rolling out the Developer Beta 8 and Public Beta 5 builds of iOS 26. The developer beta increases the build from 23A5326a to 23A5326a, but it doesn't bring any drastic changes to the UI, apps, or system over the previous beta. 

With eight beta builds of iOS 26 already out, there is visually no difference between the Developer Beta 8 and Developer Beta 7. And since the Public Beta 5 is also based on the latest Developer Beta, we don't expect to see any new features in there as well.

This could very well be an indication that iOS 26 is at near completion, and we may no longer see any new beta updates before its official release, that's expected in September 2025. Since iOS 13, Apple has been seeding precisely eight developer beta builds while for previous versions, the beta updates ranged between four and twelve. 

illustration of iPhones showing different iOS 26 features
Image Credit: Apple
illustration of iPhones showing different iOS 26 features
Image Credit: Apple

If that's true, the next update beta users can be hopeful for could be the iOS 26 Release Candidate, which may release following the Apple event that's rumoured on September 9, 2025. For the rest of the iPhone users, a stable build of iOS 26 may officially release a week later on September 16, 2025.

Of course, this all depends on the actual date of Apple's announcement, which many believe could be expected later today. At the moment, users enrolled as beta testers enrolled in Developer Beta or Public Beta programs can install the latest iOS 26 Beta by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Update Now

Ajaay Srinivasan profile picture
Ajaay Srinivasan

Guides Editor

Expertise :

Ajaay's love affair with technology started young, with the Nokia N-Gage piquing his interest. Since 2016, he's channeled his passion for tech into crafting explainers and guides on iOS, macOS, Android, social media, privacy & cybersecurity, and AI. When it's time to unplug, Ajaay enjoys playing EAFC, unwinding to music on a pair of open-backs, building his dream audiophile gear, or watching Arsenal struggle to keep a clean sheet.

linkedin iconlinkedin icon
twitter X icontwitter X icon
email iconemail icon