Apple releases iOS 26.2 Beta 3 with mysterious new upgrades you’ll want to check out

Apple’s iOS 26.2 Beta 3 introduces smarter AirDrop code sharing, refined Liquid Glass design elements, upgraded Podcasts AI features, and enhanced reminders, offering a smoother, more polished user experience across iPhone and iPad.

Apple gave the world another preview of what to expect from its upcoming mobile experience on Thursday, with the release of iOS 26.2 Beta 3, the latest developer preview build. The beta 3 release comes ahead of the expected public release in December.

iOS 26.2 Beta 3: Release date and system requirements

iOS 26.2 Beta 3 was released for developers on Thursday, June 27. The expected public release date is December, as the stable iOS 26 is set for launch in autumn.

The Beta 3 build works with the following iPhones:

* iPhone 15 Pro Max
* iPhone 15 Pro
* iPhone 15
* iPhone 14 Pro Max
* iPhone 14 Pro
* iPhone 14
* iPhone 13 Pro Max
* iPhone 13 Pro
* iPhone 13
* iPhone 12 Pro Max
* iPhone 12 Pro
* iPhone 12
* iPhone 11 Pro Max
* iPhone 11 Pro
* iPhone 11

iOS 26.2 Beta 3: Key changes

AirDrop with a one-time code

The headline change for iOS 26.2 Beta 3: AirDrop sharing will soon allow for one-time codes. Users will be able to generate a single-use AirDrop sharing code, then link with another device for up to 30 days. You can find the list of users under Settings → General → AirDrop → Manage Known AirDrop Contacts, as well as options to manage and revoke access. As Apple Insider reports, with this, iOS can strike a balance between making things easier and safer.

Liquid Glass tweaks

iOS 26’s “Liquid Glass” design aesthetic continues to make its way into various apps. A new lock-screen slider, for example, lets users change the clock’s opacity with more precision. The Measure app now uses Liquid Glass-style numbers in its interface, which Gadgets 360 reports is a sign of Apple’s move towards more tweaks and polish.

System-wide changes

On the system level, iOS 26.2 has more features like this. The Apple Podcasts app, for example, now automatically creates chapters using built-in AI. It will also attempt to recognise referenced podcasts and show related content. In the Reminders app, you can mark reminders as “Urgent” with a toggle. If you set an alarm or timer, it will break through Focus modes to remind you of important tasks. There are more changes. The hypertension-alert system in Apple’s Health app, for example, has been opened up for third-party apps to read blood-pressure notifications from the Apple Watch (after getting user permission).

iPadOS 26.2 Beta 3 has a little gift of its own. You can now drag and drop apps from the Dock, Spotlight or App Library into Split View or Slide Over. It was a feature lost in the upgrade to iPadOS 26 from 18.

iOS 26.2 Beta 3: Should you install?

iOS 26.2 Beta 3 is not really for most users. If you are the kind that does not like random software instability, then there’s really no point in installing it. If you are a developer, an early adopter, or are simply curious, then installing iOS 26.2 Beta 3 might be for you.