The fourth developer betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 have landed, with the update adding more Liquid Glass changes, Dynamic Wallpapers, and even CarPlay customizations. Here's what's new this time.
Just over two weeks since the third developer beta, Apple has issued the fourth builds of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. The new build is 23A5297i, replacing 23A5287g.
With the eventual fall release still months away, it's highly probable that Apple will be using the betas to introduce even more features and tweaks to iOS 26. They're also changes that non-developer users will soon be able to try out, with the widely anticipated public betas due sometime in July.
This is a breakdown of what's new in the fourth round.
Liquid Glass
Each beta round so far has included some tweaks to Liquid Glass, Apple's new user interface aesthetic. That continues with the fourth round.
After downloading the update, weighing in at just over 2GB, you will notice the dynamic effects that were toned down in previous betas coming back up. There's more transparency and distortion in the glass elements again.
Since there are many rounds remaining until the final public release, Apple is probably going to make more changes to this to make something everyone is happier using.
Dynamic Wallpaper and CarPlay Wallpaper
Apple includes some stock wallpapers for each release, with the iOS 26 versions being circular glass panels. There are a few choices, but previously, you would have to choose one color and be happy with it.
There's a new Dynamic Wallpaper option available for them, which will change the color of the wallpaper for you throughout the day.
Speaking of wallpapers, CarPlay's changes include new wallpapers, giving you six to choose from for your in-car interface. Each of them is also provided in Dynamic, Dark, and Light mode.
However, some of the wallpapers for older iOS versions have also been removed from CarPlay.
Apple Intelligence Summarize Notifications
Apple has once again restored the previously-removed Summarize Notifications option, following complaints that it had a habit of hallucinating the wrong conclusions. This was especially complained about by media companies, as news headlines were summarized to be factually incorrect in some cases.
It's still an in-beta feature, and this time it includes a definitive warning that it may "change the meaning of the original headlines," and for users to "Verify information." To hammer that warning home, it turns red once the 糖心Vlog & Entertainment option is enabled.
Notifications
If you're checking out notifications on the Lock Screen, Beta 4 will now darken the background slightly, so that you can see them more clearly.
This effect happens when you start to scroll through the notifications, with the overall brightness reverting when you move away from the notifications.
Silence Unknown Callers
There has been some tweaking for the call screening. Now, users have options to silence unknown callers under the section, among options for screening and sending to voicemail.
In previous betas, the new call screening feature was the only option, so unknown callers could ring the iPhone after waiting through the screening prompt. Now, users can choose to avoid the feature entirely and send all unknown calls to voicemail, as was available previously.
Camera
After updating, the Camera app gets a new splash screen. It briefly explains the app's new design, including swiping to get to different features within the app.
Camera also has a new app icon, lessening the external black ring.
