Apple is preparing to unveil its next-generation operating systems at the highly anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday, June 9. During the event, Apple will introduce fresh iterations of the software that powers its suite of devices — including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
So, when can you actually get your hands on the new software? Well, that depends on who you are. Developers will be the first in line, tuning in closely to the WWDC keynote, which kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. At that point, Apple will also officially reveal the new naming convention, confirming what’s expected to be iOS 26 — a significant jump from the current iOS 18.
The revamped naming structure will extend across all major platforms: iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and even visionOS 26. This move aims to create consistency across Apple’s ecosystem, signaling a more unified future.
Developer Beta Release Date: June 9
Typically, developer beta versions become available on the same day as the keynote. While there was once a time when downloads began during the event itself, the strain on Wi-Fi networks from thousands of developers trying to grab the files at once proved problematic. These days, it’s standard practice for the beta to drop later the same day.
Alongside iOS 26, expect the simultaneous release of the first developer betas for iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. All of them are expected to be released shortly after the keynote concludes.
Public Beta: Expected in July
For non-developers, the wait is a bit longer. Apple will confirm the public beta timeline during WWDC, but history tells us it’s usually released about a month after the keynote. This delay gives Apple time to push out a few developer betas first, smoothing out major bugs before opening the software to the broader public.
While public betas are more stable than early developer builds, they’re still a work in progress. It’s wise to install them on a secondary device — bugs and glitches are common in the early stages.
Throughout the summer, Apple will continue releasing betas with increasing regularity as the software edges closer to completion.
General Release: September
Barring any surprises, Apple will launch the final version of iOS 26 in September, in sync with the debut of its latest iPhone lineup. The release will likely occur in the third week of the month, continuing Apple’s long-standing tradition.
Not ready to jump into iOS 26 immediately? No problem — Apple plans to offer continued support for iOS 18 during the transition period. These updates will mainly deliver critical security fixes and should remain available through October or early November.
Eventually, though, support for iOS 18 will phase out, and upgrading to iOS 26 will become the only way to stay fully protected.
iOS 26 will be compatible with the new 2025 iPhone models as well as several existing ones, though not every device will support every new feature. Just like the Apple Intelligence tools that are exclusive to the iPhone 16 series and select iPhone 15 models, some functionality will be hardware-dependent.
