We are just two months away from the annual Apple Event. Not only will we be seeing the new iPhone 17 series, but also the new iOS 26. Speaking of which, we may be in for a treat with the new operating system, as it has become popular with the developers.

Free Access Fuels Wider Adoption

According to CEO Tim Cook, the developer betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 are the most widely installed in the company’s history. The announcement came during Apple’s Q3 earnings call, where Cook highlighted “great momentum” across Apple’s platforms following WWDC 2025.

Since Apple dropped the $99 annual fee for developer beta access two years ago, anyone with an Apple Developer account can now install beta versions for free. This shift has opened the door to a broader audience, including non-developers eager to test new features ahead of public release.

Liquid Glass Design Drives Curiosity

One of the biggest draws? Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design language introduces translucent, animated UI elements across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The visual overhaul has sparked interest from designers, developers, and everyday users alike, many of whom opted to install the developer beta rather than wait for the public version.

Public Beta Now Available, Final Release in Fall

While Cook didn’t share exact installation figures, the public beta for iOS 26 was released last week, with the final version expected to roll out in September. Apple continues to rely on user feedback to refine the interface and squash bugs before launch.

Launch Date?

The official date reveal for the Apple Event has not been announced yet. But according to rumours, it could be launching on the 12th of September 2025. Until then, we will just have to wait and see.