iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beta are set for download next week, and here’s how you can prepare your iPhone and iPad for it right now.
Are Your Ready for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Beta? Make Sure Your iPhone and iPad is Well Prepared
If you’re a true Apple fan, you’re going to download and test out iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beta the day it is released. That day happens to be the 9th of June, the same day Apple is going to hold its WWDC 2025 opening keynote.
Before you get too excited and carried away, there are a few things you should do before installing the upcoming beta.
First and foremost, you have to see if your iPhone and iPad will be compatible with iOS 26 or iPadOS 26.
iPhone and iPad Models Compatible with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26
Though there’s no official word on compatibility so far, different reports suggest these devices will be compatible with iOS 26.
- iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE 2 and newer
Rumor has it that iPadOS 26 will run on every single iPad model that can run iPadOS 18:
- iPad mini 7 with A17 Pro
- iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
- iPad (A16)
- iPad Air 11-inch (M2), iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
- iPad Air 11-inch (M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (4th-generation), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th-generation)
- iPad Air (5th-generation)
- 10.2-inch iPad (10th-generation)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (3rd-generation), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th-generation)
- iPad mini (6th-generation)
- 10.2-inch iPad (9th-generation)
- iPad Air (4th-generation)
- 10.2-inch iPad (8th-generation)
- iPad mini (5th-generation), iPad Air (3rd-generation)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generations), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd and 4th generations)
If you’re 100% sure your device is in the above list, then you’re ready for the next step.
Sign Up to the Apple Developer Program
Though there is going to be a public beta of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, it won’t be available next week.
Next week, only the first developer beta is going to be released. This means if you’re a registered developer with Apple, you can download the update on Monday.
Your Apple Account alone gives you access to the public beta, while the Apple Developer Program gives you access to the developer beta and public beta, both.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Apple Developer Program and its pricing structure, you can head over to Apple’s website here.
Enable iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Beta Updates on iPhone and iPad
Once you’re signed up to the Apple Developer Program, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates on your iPhone or iPad.
As soon as the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 developer beta becomes available, it will show up in this section. I’m including a screenshot below so that you know what it looks like.

Backup Everything and Free up Space
Make sure your device is already backed up using Finder or iCloud. Once you do that, your data will be safe and secure.

In case something goes wrong, at least you won’t lose your data, and you’ll have something to go back to.
Many of you out there are going to install the beta on a primary iPhone or iPad. I will not recommend it one bit. Initial betas are extremely buggy, and there’s a lot that can go wrong.
From unwanted crashes to entire photo libraries wiped clean without warning, it’s a nightmare to say the least.
Download iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 IPSW for Downgrade
It’s a good idea to download the iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 IPSW right now for downgrading. If something does go wrong, you won’t be scrambling around to get hold of the IPSW file next week.
You’ll find all the necessary download links here.
Downgrading from a developer beta is extremely tricky and involves putting your iPhone and iPad in DFU mode first. I’ve covered both in an extensive tutorial for iPhone here and iPad here.
Let’s Sit and Wait
You’re pretty much ready at this point. All you need is a compatible iPhone or iPad, and a working Apple Developer Program membership.
Once the opening keynote is over, Apple is going to release the first developer beta right after.