iOS 26 Public Beta Appears Imminent Based on This Latest Hint

An anonymous leaker with a proven track record today shared alleged build numbers for the fourth developer betas of iOS 26 and more.

iOS 26 Feature
The private account on X has accurately leaked build numbers for Apple software updates in the past. We do not link to the account at the owner's request.

Here are all of the build numbers shared by the account today:

  • iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beta 4 (23A5297i)
  • macOS 26 beta 4 (25A5316i)
  • tvOS 26 and HomePod Software 26 beta 4 (23J5316g)
  • watchOS 26 beta 4 (23R5317g)
  • visionOS 26 beta 4 (23M5300g)

The account often shares build numbers for betas around one day before they are released, so it is likely that the fourth developer betas of the updates listed above will be released this Tuesday, July 22. Then, the first public betas of the updates will likely follow by Wednesday, July 23, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. However, there will not be a visionOS 26 public beta, according to Apple's beta website.

Apple accidentally made the macOS 26 public beta available to some users for a brief period earlier today, and the build number for it was the same as the one listed above for the fourth developer beta of macOS 26. In other words, the first public betas will likely correspond with the fourth developer betas, as expected.

Apple previously announced that the public betas would be available in July, but it did not provide a more specific timeframe.

Apple is also planning to offer a public beta of its next major AirPods firmware update.

Anyone can sign up to be a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, for free, and gain access to the public betas when they are available. As always, we recommend backing up your devices before installing beta software, in case of issues.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Foldable Thumb

First Foldable iPhone Design Details Revealed

Monday February 2, 2026 7:19 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker. The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone: The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the...

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
7 months ago
I mean, yeah, we all know it's imminent. Without any hints.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kirkster Avatar
7 months ago
Been running the Beta 3 for a week now, still a little buggy, but pretty solid overall, the multi windows takes a little bit to get used to. Overall I like the Liquid Glass theme.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IceCool Avatar
7 months ago

Is this a serious post? It’s been widely known to be the worst series of betas in the history of iOS. Serious lag and glitchiness makes me so thankful I only installed it on my 15PM and not my main phone.
Absolutely not true.

This is the most stable beta since iOS 14 and it’s not even close. For the first time in years, features actually work - and they have from the first beta.

Complaining about lag and some glitches is what seems unserious as it’s an expected early beta issue.

iOS 11, iOS, 13, iOS 16 are probably the top 3 actual worst “series of betas”, with iOS 11 and iOS 13 having plenty of remaining issues at release and iOS 16’s feature set being almost unusable in the first several betas due to bugs. ?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
7 months ago
Will be interesting what they have done to liquid glass this time around. If it's still the same as on beta 3, Apple should probably update it's marketing material about iOS 26 soon
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
serzhs1 Avatar
7 months ago
I predict that the iPhone 17 will be released in September ???
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fullauto Avatar
7 months ago
Please have a slider for Liquid Glass shading, to make everyone happy, and not piss off 50% of the user base.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)