iOS 26.2 Beta Brings New Tools and Design Tweaks to iPhone
Apple has rolled out the iOS 26.2 Beta, introducing several new features that enhance productivity, customization, and app functionality. The update focuses on improving everyday apps like Reminders, Podcasts, and Apple Music while adding subtle design upgrades to the overall iPhone experience.
Reminders Get Alarms and Timers
With iOS 26.2 Beta, users can now mark a task as “Urgent” in the Reminders app. This feature allows alarms and timers to alert users when a task is due. It’s a small but meaningful upgrade that helps users stay on top of important deadlines.
Apple Music Adds Offline Lyrics
Apple Music is becoming smarter with iOS 26.2. The update allows users to access song lyrics offline, including beat-synced lines and translations. Whether you’re traveling or offline, your lyrics will still be available. This marks another step in making Apple Music more flexible and accessible.
Apple Podcasts Gets Smarter with AI
The Apple Podcasts app now uses AI to generate chapters automatically, helping listeners navigate episodes more easily. Podcast producers can still upload their own chapters, which will override the AI ones.
Another new addition is Podcast Mentions — when a show references another podcast, a clickable link appears in the episode player, making discovery seamless.
Updated Sleep Score for Apple Watch Users
Apple has fine-tuned the Sleep Score system shared across iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2. The updated algorithm raises the bar for what’s considered “High” or “Excellent” sleep quality, offering more accurate results for users tracking their rest.
Apple News Gets a New Look
The Apple News app receives a redesigned layout. The “Today” view now includes quick-access buttons for Sports, Puzzles, Politics, and Food. A new “Following” tab gathers your saved stories and history, while the “Search” section is simplified for easier content discovery.
EU Users See Key Changes
For iPhone users in the European Union, iOS 26.2 expands Live Translation with AirPods, which was earlier delayed due to the Digital Markets Act. However, the update also removes automatic Wi-Fi syncing between iPhone and Apple Watch to comply with EU interoperability rules. Users will now need to sign in manually to each network.
Liquid Glass Gets More Custom Options
The Liquid Glass design, introduced in iOS 26.1, gains finer control in version 26.2. Users can now adjust Lock Screen clock transparency through a new slider. The feature lets users choose between a more opaque or transparent appearance, personalizing their iPhone’s aesthetic even further.
