Apple has kicked off a new developer beta testing cycle, rolling out the first builds of iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, watchOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2, and visionOS 26.2. Notably, macOS Tahoe 26.2 is absent—for now.
This release marks the beginning of a new beta generation following the completion of the 26.1 cycle. The previous round concluded with release candidate versions on October 28, after four earlier beta iterations.
Build Details
- iOS 26.2 beta 1: 23C5027f
- iPadOS 26.2 beta 1: 23C5027f
- watchOS 26.2 beta 1: 23S5280e
- tvOS 26.2 beta 1: 23K5029e
- visionOS 26.2 beta 1: 23N5279e
While macOS Tahoe 26.2 remains missing at launch, Apple is expected to release its build in the coming days.
What’s New?
As this is the first wave of developer builds, the exact changes and new features remain unclear. The previous beta cycle focused on Apple Intelligence expansion, system security improvements, and the Liquid Glass interface—so similar updates or refinements could be part of this round as well.
Both techradan and Apple caution users against installing any beta software on their primary or mission-critical devices. Beta releases often contain bugs that can lead to data loss or system instability. Developers and testers are advised to use secondary hardware and maintain reliable data backups before upgrading.
Public Beta Availability
Apple typically follows up with public beta releases shortly after the developer versions. These builds are generally more stable and suitable for curious users outside the developer community who wish to preview upcoming features without the higher risks of early testing.
