Apple on Tuesday rolled out the sixth developer beta of iOS 26, alongside updates for iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, macOS, and other platforms. With the public launch expected in September, the newest beta offers fewer major changes than earlier versions but still delivers notable updates, including new ringtones, a reversal on the Camera app swiping direction, an updated onboarding experience, and performance tweaks.
Fresh Ringtones Make Their Debut
One of the most unexpected additions is the introduction of six new ringtones, all variations on Apple’s well-known “Reflection” tone. The “Dreamer” ringtone, in particular, is already making waves on social media, with early testers praising it as catchy and energetic enough to tempt some users out of silent mode.
Apple has also addressed the backlash surrounding changes to the Camera mode switcher. Previous betas reversed the swipe direction, breaking established muscle memory for many users and deviating from Apple’s usual design consistency. In beta 5, Apple added a toggle in Settings to restore the original behavior, but in beta 6, the company removed the toggle entirely and reverted the swipe direction to its classic layout.
Interface Enhancements and Liquid Glass Updates
The update introduces faster transitions and new animations for opening and closing apps. The Liquid Glass interface continues to be refined for both aesthetics and readability, with added color dispersion effects when navigating between app tabs, and new lock screen and toggle visuals. Upon updating, users will see a redesigned onboarding experience highlighting Liquid Glass, dark and clear icons, and refreshed app interfaces.
As with previous betas, there are bug fixes along with a few new issues, but early feedback suggests beta 6 is more stable and noticeably faster than earlier builds. The release to public beta testers is expected shortly after this developer version.
What The Author Thinks
Apple’s decision to revert the Camera swipe direction shows that even the most design-driven company knows when to back down. Users’ muscle memory and consistency across apps matter just as much as innovation. The new ringtones and subtle UI polish keep things fresh, but the real takeaway is that Apple seems to be listening — a trait that’s just as important as pushing bold changes.
Featured image credit: Daniel Romero via Unsplash
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