iOS 26.2 Beta brings Liquid Glass changes, updated Sleep Scores, and more

Apple’s latest public beta, iOS 26.2, has officially dropped, and while it’s not a headline-grabbing overhaul, it’s the kind of update that makes iOS feel more polished, more tactile, and just that bit more personal.

Fresh off the heels of the developer beta, this public release brings subtle UI reworks, a few surprisingly thoughtful touches, and some quality-of-life upgrades sprinkled across apps like Health, Podcasts, Apple Music, and Reminders. The beta is now live for anyone enrolled in Apple’s Beta Software Programme.

ALSO READ: iOS 26 now available: How to download, eligibility, features

And yes, for those in the EU, AirPods Live Translation is expanding its reach. Apple’s quietly making sure its real-time translation magic feels less like a demo and more like a habit for more users across the globe.

iOS 26.2 Beta 1: What’s new?

The headline change is on the Lock Screen, where Apple continues to refine its Liquid Glass aesthetic. After introducing the ability to tone down the glassy sheen in iOS 26.1, there’s now a dedicated Glass Effect slider that lets you fine-tune just how translucent (or opaque) you want your lock screen clock to look.

You can choose between the classic see-through shimmer, a soft frosted look, or go bold with a ‘Solid’ setting that ditches the glass effect entirely.

Over in Apple News, there’s a fresh coat of paint. Four neatly arranged buttons now offer one-tap access to Sports, Food, Puzzles, and Politics, the sort of design clarity that makes doom-scrolling feel oddly sophisticated. There’s also a new ‘Following’ tab at the bottom, pulling together your favourites, saved reads, and even a glimpse of your history.

Apple’s Health app is also seeing a significant recalibration of Sleep Scores. The ranges have been redefined to paint a picture of your rest:

– 0–40: Very Low (previously 0–29)
– 41–60: Low (previously 30–49)
– 61–80: OK (previously 50–69)
– 81–95: High (previously 70–89)
– 96–100: Very High (previously 90–100)

Essentially, Apple’s setting tweaked parameters for a “good night’s sleep”. All watches and iPhones running watchOS 26.2 and iOS 26.2 respectively will sync to this new system, and you’ll see the revised scoring reflected across the Health app.

Apple Music finally does what everyone’s wanted for years: offline lyrics. You can now view song lyrics even when you’re off the grid. No Wi-Fi, no data, no problem. It’s one of those small, human touches that makes Apple’s ecosystem feel smarter without shouting about it.

Reminders now supports alarms for tasks marked ‘Urgent’. It’s a feature that sounds simple on paper but could genuinely change how you use the app. Set a priority, and your iPhone will nudge you with an alarm exactly when it should.

ALSO READ: iOS 26.1: How to turn off Liquid Glass on your iPhone

And in Podcasts, Apple’s quietly turning the app into a more powerful listening tool. The new beta introduces auto-generated chapters, so you can jump between segments effortlessly. Mentions are now visible within transcripts and playback screens, and there’s direct linking to websites referenced during an episode, perfect for when curiosity strikes.

iOS 26.2 Beta 1: Supported devices and how to install

The iOS 26.2 public beta 1 supports the iPhone SE (2nd gen and newer), along with the iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and the latest 17 line-ups, including the iPhone Air and iPhone 16e. To install it, simply:

Step 1: Enrol on Apple’s Public Beta portal
Step 2: Go to Settings > General > Software Update
Step 3: Tap Beta Updates > iOS 26.2 Public Beta
Step 4: Return to Software Update to download
Step 5: Accept the terms and start the installation

What do you think of iOS 26.2 Beta? Drop your thoughts below and stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for the latest tech updates.