Apple released iOS 26 Beta 3 for iPhone on Monday. The latest update brings several scenes to twics on the previous repetition introduced in June. According to the Cupertino-based tech veteran, there are more color options for stock wallpapers for home and lock screen. The update is said to have also adjusted the appearance of the new liquid glass interface, which now has a darker color in several apps compared to the iOS 26 Beta 2 updates.
Update for iOS 26 Beta 3 iPhone: what is new
One of the major changes in iOS 26 Beta 3 is the presence of liquid glass UI. WWDC introduced in 2025, Apple said that it brings icons like glass to the iPhone. It is a translucent material design that reflects and refrats the visual elements around it. The company rolled out the new design with the initial iOS 26 Beta 1 update, but the response has been away from positive.
Some users complained about the text when a light colored wallpaper was applied, while the other bus did not like it.
Since then, Apple is changing the appearance of UI with every successful beta update, and the iOS 26 beta 3 is not different. The latest update for iPhone brings a slightly darker appearance to the design language that can potentially increase ease. It is most noticeable in media players in Apple Music and Podcast Apps.
Meanwhile, users also have a more diverse set of colors to choose when applying stock wallpapers. They can choose between shadows, sky, aura and evening. The differences between four wallpaper options are even more prominent when dark mode is implemented.
In addition, the icons in the iPhone Dock will still be focused, even if it is kept less than four. Previously, they were align to the left. Other changes include slight twicks for files and icons for photo apps.
iOS 26 beta 3: who can download
According to Apple, the iOS 26 Beta 3 is offered as a free over-the-air (OTA) software update for Apple Developers and Beta examiners registered on the iPhone 11 and later models. However, the Apple Intelligence features are limited to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max with the iPhone 16 series.
The iOS 26 is expected to be publicly released with the iPhone 17 lineup in September.
