Apple has released beta versions of its latest operating systems: macOS Tahoe 26.1 and iOS 26.1 Beta 1, alongside other beta updates, including iPadOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1. This release follows the successful roll-out of major updates earlier in the year, despite initial confusion surrounding the macOS 26 roll-out. Apple is now entering its subsequent beta phase and is actively seeking feedback from registered developers to address any identified issues.
Typically, updates labeled as x.1 focus primarily on resolving known bugs that have arisen either before or immediately after a major release. These updates typically include functional enhancements as well, addressing features that were absent from the first significant release. These enhancements often lay the groundwork for future features expected to arrive with subsequent update versions.
The forthcoming update is expected to rectify numerous minor issues and graphical glitches that have arisen following the introduction of Liquid Glass technology. As these beta versions become available to registered developers, it is essential to note that they are still in their early stages, as indicated by their respective build numbers and release dates. Notably, no public beta has been announced yet.
At this stage, the specific details of the current betas are:
macOS 26.1 Beta 1, with a build number of 25B5042k and released on September 22nd, 2025, is one such update. Similarly, iOS 26.1 Beta 1 (build 23B5044l, also released on September 22nd, 2025) and its counterparts for other Apple devices—iPadOS 26.1 Beta 1, watchOS 26.1 Beta 1, tvOS 26.1 Beta 1, and visionOS 26.1 Beta 1 (builds 23B5044l, 23S5002i, 23J5543j, and 23N5013j, respectively)—have been made available for testing.
It is worth noting that Apple typically releases two updates each year, working progressively towards x.4 versions by the following spring. As such, it is unlikely that the development teams will have idle time ahead.
