Apple has a new developer beta of iPadOS 26 out today, with beta 6 bringing an accelerated release schedule ahead of next month’s launch.
iPadOS 26 beta 6 accelerates release schedule
iPadOS 26 development is starting to draw near its end.
Apple plans to launch the software update to all users next month. And as it does every year in the lead-up to the fall, Apple is now accelerating its beta release schedule.
Throughout most of the summer, new betas arrived every couple of weeks. But as the fall launch nears, that should shift to a weekly rhythm instead.
Last week we got iPadOS 26 beta 5, and now today’s beta 6 represents the expected shortened window between releases.
Based on previous years’ patterns, it’s likely that there will be new betas every week in August.
These will culminate in Apple’s RC (release candidate) versions of iPadOS 26, iOS 26, and more arriving in early September.
In the meantime, the increase in beta releases doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll get more changes in the coming month.
Instead, Apple uses August to ship as many bug fixes and refinements as possible ahead of the public launch.
So while some minor UI or feature changes might arrive in each new beta, they’re likely to be minimal as performance and stability are prioritized.
Have you noticed anything new in iPadOS 26 beta 6? Let us know in the comments.
Best iPad accessories