Apple is pushing out the iOS 26.2 public beta

The new update brings a transparency slider for Liquid Glass on the lock screen, along with alarms for urgent reminders, improved sleep score, and changes to the News and Podcasts apps.

· Smart Lists Get Smarter: The AI-powered "Smart Lists" now support natural language creation. You can create a list by saying, "Show me all overdue work tasks tagged 'Urgent'" and a new Smart List will be generated automatically.

· Templates for Common Projects: A new "Templates" gallery allows users to save and share complex reminder projects. Perfect for trip packing lists, weekly meal prep, or onboarding checklists at work.

· Enhanced Collaboration: Shared lists now include a dedicated "Chat" tab, allowing collaborators to discuss list items in-line without switching to Messages or another app. Assigning tasks to specific people is also now more prominent and visual.

How to Download iOS 26.2 Public Beta 1

For users eager to test these new features, the public beta is available now. Please note that beta software can be unstable and may contain bugs. It is not recommended for your primary device.

1. Enroll your device at beta.apple.com using your Apple ID.

2. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone.

3. Tap Beta Updates and select the iOS 26 Public Beta.

4. The iOS 26.2 Public Beta 1 update should appear for download.

The final, stable version of iOS 26.2 is expected to be released to all users in the coming weeks, likely alongside new hardware announcements from Apple.