Apple releases iOS 26 beta 5 for iPhone

Apple has released the fifth developer beta version of iOS 26. We expect the redesigned version of the iPhone software to officially launch next month. Apple also launched the first public beta version of iOS 26 last week. The latest build is 23A5308g.

iOS 26 developer beta 5 has arrived

Apple describes the upcoming iPhone software update by saying that iOS 26 “delivers a stunning new design, powerful Apple Intelligence capabilities, new ways to stay connected in the Phone and Messages apps, and exciting updates to CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet.”

In iOS 26 beta 2, we saw design tweaks including legibility improvements for Control Center, better menu organization in Safari, and stronger accessibility options with borders added to High Contrast Mode.

iOS 26 beta 3 most notably added opaqueness to some of the more transparent tab bars alongside new wallpaper colors. Beta 4 reverted the opaqueness tweaks. Meanwhile, Notification Center still uses absolute transparency when pulled down until fully open. That seems ripe for changing.

iOS 26 beta 4 also reintroduced notification summaries for news and entertainment apps. Apple previously paused the Apple Intelligence feature after complaints that text summaries could change the meaning of headlines.

Stay tuned to 9to5Mac for changes discovered in iOS 26 beta 5. If all goes well, today’s developer beta build will likely be the same release as a future iOS 26 public beta 2 release.

Is your iPhone ready for iOS 26? The next major software update runs on iPhone SE (2nd generation) as well as iPhone 11 and up. iOS 18 is the last version that will run on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max. You’ll need to upgrade your iPhone if you want the latest features and newest design, but older iPhones will continue to receive software updates for security for a while. Features that use Apple Intelligence require iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 family model.

We’ll collect and list every change to iOS 26 beta and more on 9to5Mac so stay tuned (and join the fun with [email protected])!

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