Apple just released iOS 26 beta 5 for developers. Here’s a full breakdown of what’s new, including Lock Screen tweaks, UI animations, app splash screens, and more.

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 5 for iPhone

Apple has rolled out iOS 26 beta 5 to iPhone users on the developer beta track, continuing to refine the major redesign introduced in earlier builds. While this update doesn’t add anything groundbreaking, it polishes several parts of the experience and reintroduces features users have been missing.

Here’s a quick look at all the iOS 26 beta 5 changes and features compared to the previous version.

Refined Lock Screen Animation

iOS 26 beta 5 introduces a bouncy new unlock animation on the Lock Screen, adding subtle flair when you’re about to enter your passcode or unlock using Face ID or Touch ID.

App Splash Screens Return

Several of Apple’s built-in apps now show splash screens when opened for the first time after the update. These brief intros explain new features or UI changes. It’s a pattern Apple uses frequently in beta builds.

Liquid Glass UI Updates

  • The Liquid Glass aesthetic remains unchanged from beta 4.
  • A notable tweak: the minus (-) buttons used when editing the Home Screen now adopt the Liquid Glass texture, replacing the more opaque version from iOS 18.

New AirDrop Icon in Share Sheet

A fresh AirDrop icon has been added to the Share Sheet, offering a cleaner and more consistent look with the rest of iOS 26’s design updates.

Camera Settings and Mail Fixes

  • The Camera app now includes a toggle to reverse the swipe direction when switching shooting modes. A welcome tweak for muscle memory users.
  • The Mail app brings back the Select button, making it easier to manage multiple messages at once. This was a highly requested fix from earlier betas.

Notification Center Behavior

The Notification Center remains completely transparent when pulled down without active notifications. However, if there are notifications, the improved darker background from beta 4 remains for better legibility.

Reminder on Beta Tracks

Keep in mind: Apple runs two parallel beta programs for iOS 26:

  • The Developer Beta provides the most recent updates.
  • The Public Beta typically follows a week behind and is generally more stable.

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Apple, iPhone, News,

Last Update: August 5, 2025

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