The arrival of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26 marks a significant leap forward in the Apple ecosystem, both due to the new features in artificial intelligence and design, as well as the new nomenclature that unifies all platforms. If you want to be among the first to try out the new features, here's a detailed guide to installing the developer beta on your Apple devices. With this tutorial you can install iOS 26 as well as the latest versions of watchOS.
Hold it right there! First a backup.
Before you jump into installing the beta, you should keep in mind that these versions are primarily intended for developers. They are very early-stage systems, with bugs, stability issues, and potential incompatibilities with apps or services. Installing the beta is not recommended on devices you use every day, as you may experience slowdowns, unexpected shutdowns, or even data loss.
Before installing any beta, it's essential to make a full, encrypted backup of your device. This will allow you to restore all your data, apps, passwords, and settings if something goes wrong during the update.
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Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using a cable.
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Open Finder (Mac with macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (older Macs or Windows PCs).
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Select your device in the sidebar.
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In the Backups section, select the "Encrypt local backup" option. You'll be asked to create a password. Keep it safe, as you'll need it to restore the backup.
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Click "Backup Now" and wait for the process to complete.
Download the developer profile for free
For some time now, Apple has allowed any user with an Apple ID to register for free in the Developer Program to access betas. Simply visit the Apple Developer website, sign in with your Apple ID, and accept the terms and conditions. Once registered, your account will have access to developer betas from your device's settings.
If you're looking for the fastest and easiest way to install the developer beta, betaprofiles.dev It is the preferred alternative for many experienced users. Simply access this website from your device, download the corresponding profile and, after restarting, search for the update in Settings> General> Software update. Thus, the beta will be available for download and installation, without the need to be registered in the official Apple program.
How to install the betas
Installing iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beta
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Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
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Go to General > Software Update.
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Tap Beta Updates and select iOS 26 Developer Beta (or iPadOS 26 Developer Beta).
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Go back and look for the update. Download and install it like any other iOS update.
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The device will reboot, and after a few minutes, you'll have the beta installed.
If you don't see the "Beta Updates" option, close and reopen Settings, or make sure your Apple account is properly registered as a developer.
Installing the watchOS 26 beta
To install the watchOS 26 beta, you first need to have the iOS 26 beta installed on your paired iPhone.
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Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
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Go to My Watch > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.
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Select watchOS 26 Developer Beta.
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Download and install the update. Your Apple Watch must have at least 50% battery, be connected to a charger, and be within range of your iPhone.
Once the beta is installed on the Apple Watch, It is not possible to revert to a previous version, so you have to be very sure of what you are doing.
