iOS 26 is now available for all users, but beta testers who have had the update for months may now wonder when Apple plans to debut the first iOS 26.1 beta.Here’s when to expect the next beta update.Apple’s history indicates iOS 26.1 beta will arrive this week or next iOS 26 released on Monday, September 15.
Here’s how that compares to prior years: iOS 18: Monday, September 16 iOS 17: Monday, September 18 iOS 16: Monday, September 12 iOS 15: Monday, September 20 As you can see, there’s not a lot of variability in iOS release dates.Things get a little more varied, however, when considering the first beta release for x.1 updates.iOS 18.1 beta 1: Monday, July 29 iOS 17.1 beta 1: Wednesday, September 27 iOS 16.1 beta 1: Wednesday, September 14 iOS 15.1 beta 1: Tuesday, September 21 Last year’s iOS 18 cycle was a special exception.
That’s because Apple delayed the first Apple Intelligence features into iOS 18.1 and launched that beta long before the public iOS 18 release arrived.Looking at the previous three years, however, helps us understand when to expect iOS 26.1 beta 1.iOS 17.1 arrived 9 days after iOS 17’s release.
But in the prior two years, Apple only waited 1 or 2 days after its public launches before shipping the first x.1 betas.This means there’s a decent chance the iOS 26.1 beta will release .If not in the next day or so, then early-to-mid next week is highly likely.
In summary: if you’re a beta tester, you probably won’t have to wait long to test out iOS 26.1.So if you’re not yet ready for a potentially less stable release, be sure to turn off ‘Beta Updates’ inside the Software Update screen in Settings.Do you plan to jump into the iOS 26.1 beta right away? Let us know in the comments.
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