Just a day after rolling out iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 to everyone, Apple is already moving ahead with the next round of software testing.
The company has now released iOS 26.2 beta 1 and iPadOS 26.2 beta 1 for developers, continuing its fast-paced update cycle as 2025 wraps up.
iOS 26.2 Beta 1: Early Changes and Adjustments
Apple released iOS 26.1 yesterday with some notable additions — including the new Liquid Glass appearance preference, expanded Apple Intelligence language support, and AirPods Live Translation.
Now, with iOS 26.2 beta 1, Apple is shifting focus to fine-tuning features already in play.
The first confirmed change involves the new Sleep Score feature, which Apple is reportedly refining based on user feedback. The company is adjusting the scoring range and classifications to provide more accurate and consistent results for Apple Watch users.
Beyond that, we’ll have to wait for more discoveries as developers dig deeper into the beta.
The public beta should follow shortly, while the final version is expected to arrive before the end of 2025.
iPadOS 26.2 Beta 1: Mystery Update After 26.1
On the iPad side, Apple has also seeded iPadOS 26.2 beta 1, barely 24 hours after iPadOS 26.1 went live for everyone.
The 26.1 update brought back Slide Over multitasking, added Apple Intelligence languages, and even slipped in a handy Apple Music improvement.
As for iPadOS 26.2, there are no confirmed new features yet. This first beta appears more focused on under-the-hood improvements and bug fixes.
That said, it’s common for smaller changes to surface as testers explore — so expect a few hidden gems to be uncovered soon.
On the iPhone side, many are still waiting for US passport support in Apple Wallet, which could arrive in iOS 26.2. Whether the iPad gets something similarly noteworthy remains to be seen.
Release Timeline
- iOS 26.1 / iPadOS 26.1: Released publicly — October 31, 2025
- iOS 26.2 / iPadOS 26.2 Beta 1: Released to developers — November 1, 2025
- Public Beta: Expected soon
- Final Release: Likely December 2025
iOS 26.2 might look minor at first, but Apple’s focus on refining metrics like Sleep Score suggests a deeper push toward personalized health insights — one of Apple’s biggest themes in 2025.
As always, we’ll update this post as more iOS and iPadOS 26.2 changes are discovered.
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