Apple is quietly testing a new ringtone in iOS 26, hidden in the first developer beta. It’s a fresh take on the iconic “Reflection” tone, and it might launch with iPhone 17.
The New Ringtone is Not Live in The Settings App, But is Present in the iOS 26 Beta 1 Filesystem
Apple’s latest iOS 26 developer beta is hiding a new ringtone that hasn’t been officially enabled yet. According to early testers and developers, the unreleased tone is an updated version of the well-known “Reflection” ringtone which is the same one that’s been the default on iPhones since the iPhone X in 2017.
Discovered in the beta’s internal code, the tone hasn’t yet been made available in the standard ringtone selection menu under Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. That means if you’re running the beta, you won’t see or hear it unless you go digging or follow developer sources online.
What Does the New Ringtone Sound Like?
The new version of “Reflection” was shared on X by@8810cfw. From the early preview, it seems to offer a softer, more melodic variation, possibly meant to complement the Liquid Glass redesign introduced in iOS 26.
Related: iOS 26 Beta 1, iPadOS 26 Beta 1 OTA Update: How to Download and Install
Could This Be the New Default Ringtone?
While Apple hasn’t officially confirmed the ringtone or its release timeline, the hidden addition hints that it may become part of the iPhone 17 experience. With iOS 26 also making it easier to set custom ringtones without GarageBand, Apple appears to be putting more focus on sound personalization this year.
Related: How to Set a Custom Ringtone on iPhone in iOS 26 Without Using GarageBand
This minor tweak fits in with Apple’s trend of polishing user experience in small but meaningful ways. Even if it doesn’t ship with the final iOS 26 release, we might see it in a later beta—or as an exclusive with the next-generation iPhone.
Related: Download Official iOS 26 Wallpapers for iPhone Right Here
Related: How to Try New iOS 26 AirPods Features Easily, No Mac or Xcode Needed
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