Apple releases public beta 2 for tvOS 26, watchOS 26, more

Earlier this week Apple released a new wave of developer betas, including tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and HomePod 26. Now the company has shipped public beta versions too. Here’s what to expect.

tvOS 26, watchOS 26, HomePod 26, more get new public betas

If you’re a member of Apple’s public beta program, your devices have new software updates available to install.

Today the company released public beta 2 for its full lineup of compatible platforms—minus visionOS, which doesn’t offer a public beta.

Apple’s typical pattern with betas is to debut the developer build first, followed by public beta versions about a day or two later.

This is to ensure that there aren’t any critical bugs discovered in the beta before it ships to a wider, public audience.

As a result, today’s new betas should be identical to what developers received already. So far after a couple days of use, changes in tvOS and watchOS 26 seem minimal in the latest beta.

That’s not altogether surprising, since this is about the point in the summer when Apple starts making fewer feature or design changes. Instead, its priority shifts to improving stability and minimizing bugs ahead of the big fall launch.