Apple has released its final developer beta of iOS 26 and is expected to stop releasing betas soon. The current public beta is based on the seventh developer beta build. While there may not be an eighth developer beta, this doesn’t necessarily mean Apple won’t release a major update between now and the first release candidate.
The iOS 26 developer beta count history shows that previous updates have typically included eight beta releases before the final version was released. However, with iOS 26, changes are expected to be finalized soon, suggesting that further betas may not be necessary.
Apple is rumored to announce its intention to release an official RC (release candidate) following the iPhone event on September 9, likely to coincide with a week-long lead-up to the official launch on September 16. This is based on previous patterns of Apple releasing updates at the end of September for new iPhones.
Some users have expressed concerns about the current beta build, citing issues such as unresponsive apps and the need for more testing before release. With major changes expected with iOS 26, it’s likely that Apple will address these concerns in a future update, potentially an iOS 26.1 developer beta soon after the official launch.
As the public launch date approaches, users are encouraged to share their thoughts on whether they feel the current version of iOS 26 is ready for prime time and what changes they’d like to see before its release.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/08/25/ios-beta-history