How to download iOS 26 Developer Beta on your iPhone

iOS 26 is officially here, but only if you’re bold enough to dabble in beta territory. Announced at WWDC 2025, Apple’s latest iOS update is still in development, which means it’s far from perfect. It’s primarily meant for developers as made apparent by the nomenclature. However, if you’re the type who likes living on the edge (or just can’t wait until September), you can install it right now; even if you’re not a developer. Here’s how you can install the iOS 26 developer beta on your iPhone.

How to get iOS 26 developer beta on your iPhone: Step-by-step guide

Before anything else, make sure your iPhone can handle iOS 26. Apple’s got you covered if you’re using an iPhone 11 or newer. If that’s you, you’re good to go.

Beta software can be buggy, unpredictable, and occasionally downright chaotic. So, before you jump in, backup your iPhone via iCloud or to your Mac. Think of it as insurance for your digital life.

ALSO READ: How to backup and restore your iPhone

Next, you will need to enroll in the Apple Developer Program, and you can now do it for free! Apple lets anyone access developer betas without the $99 fee now. Just follow these steps:

Step 1: Head to Apple’s Developer Program enrollment page and hit Start Your Enrollment.
Step 2: Sign in with your Apple ID and continue enrollment on the web.
Step 3: Fill in your name and address, choose Individual as your entity type, and accept the terms.

At this point, you’ll hit a payment screen, just exit this. You’ve already been registered in the free tier, which is enough to get beta access. Alternatively, you can download the Apple Developer app, sign in via the Account tab, and skip the webpage route altogether.

Now for the main event. To download iOS 26 developer beta on your iPhone, follow these steps:

Step 1: On your iPhone, head to Settings > General > Software Update
Step 2: Tap Beta Updates
Step 3: Select iOS 26 Developer Beta
Step 4: If everything’s gone according to plan, the latest beta should now be visible here
Step 5: Tap to download, follow the on-screen prompts, and let your iPhone work its magic

ALSO READ: iOS 26’s Liquid Glass design to macOS Tahoe: Everything announced at WWDC 2025

This is a chunky update, so expect a bit of a wait. Your phone will restart during the install process, possibly more than once. Don’t panic, that’s normal beta behavior.

Now, this early look at iOS 26 comes with its fair share of quirks. Bugs are expected, crashes are possible, and not all features may work as intended. If you’d rather avoid the hassle, your safest bet is waiting for the stable public release, likely rolling out alongside the iPhone 17 lineup this fall. Stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma to remain updated.