Apple has released the fifth beta of iOS 26 for developers., a version that focuses on refining the experience and fine-tuning some key details after several weeks of testing. The release comes midway through the development cycle and marks a stabilization phase before the official launch alongside the new iPhone models.
One of the most notable features is that This beta 5 will become public beta 2 within 24 to 48 hours. Thus, those enrolled in the public beta program will soon be able to access all the new features detailed here. As always, we recommend waiting for the public beta if you're not a developer to ensure a smoother experience.
Key new features and tweaks in iOS 26 beta 5
The protagonist of this update is, without a doubt, the Camera app. Following complaints about the change in swipe direction when switching between Photo and Video – which many users considered unintuitive after so many years with the previous system – Apple adds an option to choose the direction of the gestureThe new feature is available in Settings > Camera, under the "Mode Switch" section, and allows you to return to the traditional scrolling mode if you prefer. This move demonstrates Apple's ability to gather feedback and adapt., although the classic option does not come active as standard.
Along with this change, Beta 5 introduces small but noticeable visual and experience tweaks.:
- New welcome screens in apps like Notes, Apple Music, or Freeform, which explain new features such as lyrics translation or exporting in Markdown.
- El Dock has been redesigned slightly and now has a larger size, giving more prominence to the icons and facilitating access to recent functions or widgets.
- Revised animations on the unlock screen, with a bounce effect when entering the PIN code and when interacting with the Control Center.
- En Mail The “Select” button has been repositioned to make it more accessible, improving email management.
- New icon for AirDrop during file sharing, with a more up-to-date and consistent design.
- Expanded information about Wi-Fi networks in Control Center: It now displays whether the network is private or public and whether it's secured, with a lock next to the icon.
- Dynamic Island warns with a specific animation when the battery drops to 20%.
- Improved settings for app updates and downloads, allowing processes to be prioritized when updating multiple apps at once.
Stability, performance and other details after the halfway point of development
In this final phase, iOS 26 beta 5 prioritizes optimization and stability on new features. More efficient battery management is noticeable, especially on models like the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, as well as improved system fluidity, thanks to refined animations and internal processes.
Some of the most discussed changes, such as the transparency of Liquid Glass, remain after the latest betas, consolidating the visual appearance that Apple seems to have established ahead of the final release.
Other aspects worth highlighting are the New name for the pre-authorized payment button on Apple Card, the update to the Fitness+ icon, and improved Siri's smart features, which now offer contextual notifications based on the user's movements.
What to expect from Public Beta 2 and the global launch?
Public Beta 2 will offer the same features and improvements as the developer version. For full details on the testing phases and how to get it, you can visit our website. Complete guide to the iOS 26 public betaInterested users are advised to back up their data before updating and avoid installing the beta on their primary device if they are not willing to handle temporary glitches.
It's important to know that Battery life may vary and some apps may still have compatibility issues.Therefore, it is recommended that you update to future versions to benefit from fixes, but please wait until the stable release is scheduled for September.
The latest versions of iOS 26 have become the most popular yet, thanks to the removal of barriers to joining the testing program and sweeping visual changes. Anticipation for the next stable release continues to grow, with performance and usability improvements that aim to offer a smoother and more secure experience for all users.