After Apple released the third developer beta on March 2nd, a revised version followed in the same week. In addition, the second public beta version is now available – to install it, users don’t even have to create a free developer account. Simply registering with the potential test device on beta.apple.com using your Apple account is sufficient. An option to install beta versions will then appear in the Settings app under General/Software updates. If you switch to a beta path, updates appear automatically. To switch back to standard releases, toggle “Beta Updates” option to “Off”.
After you have registered your device for beta versions, an additional option appears under Settings/General/Software update.
26.4 beta 3 v.2 for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
Three beta versions received a new version with an adjusted build number within the same week. Apple does not give a reason for the sudden out-of-order update; there are also no revised release notes.
- iOS 26.4 beta 3 v.2: 23E5223k
- iPadOS 26.4 beta 3 v.2: 23E5223k
- watchOS 26.4 beta 3 v.2: 23T5226i
More playgrounds, video podcasts, storage protection
Apple has planned some new functions for the fourth major update: “Playlist Playground” creates playlists using Apple Intelligence in the Music app. The podcast apps are getting better support for video podcasts. End-to-end encryption for cross-platform RCS messages will remain in the testing phase even with the final release of 26.4 – implementation will take place in a later version, but in any case for the 26 versions. macOS receives support for Network MIDI 2.0 – for this purpose the network device overview in Audio-Midi Setup has been redesigned.
Probably in March
The rapid succession of updates gives hope that it will be completed soon. The release dates of the last few years reveal a certain rhythm: macOS 14.4 was released on March 7th, 2024, macOS 15.4 on March 31st, 2025. The deployment of the final version is probably only days, or at most weeks, away.
Release dates of “major” macOS updates
| version | macOS 14 | macOS 15 | macOS 26 |
| 0 | September 26, 2023 | September 16, 2024 | September 15, 2025 |
| 1 | October 25, 2023 | October 28, 2024 | November 3, 2025 |
| 2 | 12/11/2023 | 12/11/2024 | 12/12/2025 |
| 3 | 01/22/2024 | 01/27/2025 | 02/11/2026 |
| 4 | March 7, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | 03/30/2026* |
| 5 | May 13, 2024 | May 12, 2025 | 05/11/2026* |
| 6 | July 29, 2024 | July 29, 2025 | 07/27/2026* |
| 7 | September 16, 2024 | September 15, 2025 | 09/14/2026* |
Source: The Eclectic Light Company
*: Forecast by Howard Oakley