iOS 26 Release Date: When the New iPhone Update Will Launch
Until Jul 2025, Apple has released the iOS Developer Beta 4, and now it is expected to release the iOS Public Beta. When is iOS 26 coming out? Is there any news from iPhone 17? Read this article and get what you need.
PAGE CONTENT:
Part 1. When Will iOS 26 Be Released
The iOS 26 final version release date is not clear now. This is because iOS 26 is still in Beta, and Apple is still improving and fixing bugs. In fact, Apple will not publish the exact iOS 26 release date until a few days before publishing.
But generally, they will comply with the typical release pattern and publish iOS 26 in mid-September 2025, most likely on Monday, September 14. At that time, all users can update to iOS 26 directly from the Settings app if their device supports iOS 26.
Part 2. Apple Release Pattern for iOS Versions
Apple keeps a firm release pattern for iOS versions. Let's see their general release schedule:
June: Hold WWDC and Release Developer Beta
Generally, Apple will hold WWDC on the first or second Monday in June, and release the Developer Beta 1. In June, they will release several Developer Betas and improve the stability and fix iOS glitches.
July: Release Public iOS Beta
Then, in July, the Public Betas, the more stable versions, will come out. More users can update to the iOS versions and provide more advice.
August: Release the Last Public iOS Betas
In the final period, which will be in the release time for Public Beta 3 and later, the iOS versions tend to be more stable and workable. Apple will fix some small issues and prepare for the final version.
September: Release Candidate and Final Version
Generally, Apple will release the RC version in early September at the Apple Fall Event, about six days before the final iOS version.
Part 3. iPhone 17 Will Be Launched with iOS 26
In Parts 1 and 2, we mentioned that iOS 26 RC will be released in mid-September 2025 at the Apple Fall Event, generally on the second Wednesday of September. And the new iPhone 17 series will be open first time at the event.
After the Apple Fall Event, the iOS final version and the iPhone 17 series will be available in turn. All iPhone 17 series will come with the latest iOS 26 pre-installed.
Here are the previous iPhone models and iOS versions release dates for reference.
• iOS 16: Monday, September 12, 2022; iPhone 14: Friday, September 16
• iOS 17: Monday, September 18, 2023; iPhone 15: Friday, September 22
• iOS 18: Monday, September 16, 2024; iPhone 16: Friday, September 20
• [Predicted] iOS 26: Monday, September 14, 2025; iPhone 17: Friday, September 18
Part 4. iOS 26 Release Date – Beta, Public, Final (The Full Timeline)
Released Versions:
| Version | Release Date | Type | Build Number | Key Updates |
| iOS 26 Developer Beta 1 | June 10, 2025 | Developer Beta | 23A5275f | Initial release: introduces Liquid Glass UI, Smart Notifications, and new Photos features |
| iOS 26 Developer Beta 2 | June 24, 2025 | Developer Beta | 23A5287g | Bug fixes, battery optimizations, improved Lock Screen widgets |
| iOS 26 Developer Beta 3 | July 08, 2025 | Developer Beta | 23A5291h | Adds new Health APIs, support for CarPlay widgets |
| iOS 26 Developer Beta 4 | July 22, 2025 | Developer Beta | 23A5297i | Stability improvements, customizable Lock Screen colors, syncs with Public Beta |
| iOS 26 Public Beta 1 | July 24, 2025 | Public Beta | 23A5297i | Same as Developer Beta 4; first release for general testers |
Coming Versions (expected):
| Version | Expected Release | Type | Build | Notes |
| iOS 26 Developer Beta 5 | August 04, 2025 | Developer Beta | TBD | Continued bug fixes, performance and compatibility improvements |
| iOS 26 Public Beta 2 | August 05, 2025 | Public Beta | Same as Developer Beta 5 | Mirrors Developer Beta 5 contents |
| Other Developer Beta (expected from Beta 6 to Beta 8) | August, 2025 | Developer Beta | TBD | Continued bug fixes, performance and compatibility improvements |
| Other Public Beta (expected from Beta 3 to Beta 5) | August, 2025 | Public Beta | Same as Developer Beta 6-8 | Mirrors Developer Beta 6-8 contents |
| iOS 26 Release Candidate (RC) | September 08, 2025 | Release Candidate | TBD | Final testing version; nearly identical to the public release |
| iOS 26.0 Final Release | September 14, 2025 | Official Release | TBD | Full stable release, launching alongside iPhone 17 series |
Conclusion
In a word, the iOS 26 release date won't be published recently, at most several days before the release date. But according to the Apple release pattern, the date will probably fall on September 14, 2025. We can also expect the iPhone 17 series about four days after iOS 26.
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