iOS 26.2 beta 2 just landed — here are all the upgrades and new features

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Here's everything new in the latest beta

The iOS 26 interface on an iPhone with an iOS 26 logo off to the side
(Image credit: Tom's Guide / Shutterstock / Apple)

iOS 26.1 has just been released to the masses, but that doesn't mean Apple is done yet. The company has just released the iOS 26.2 beta to developers, bringing with it a bunch of key updates to the software, so they can be tested and ready for a wider release later this year.

While iOS 26 itself is still the key iPhone software update, iOS 26.2 still has a bunch of changes to enhance your iPhone experience. Changes like a new Lock Screen Liquid Glass Slider, an updated reminders app, and even Live Translation for AirPods users in the EU.

Lock Screen

The Lock Screen now features a slider for Liquid Glass that lets you customize the look of your clock. You have a choice between Glass and Solid options, and choosing the former lets you adjust the slider to make your Lock Screen look totally transparent or to have more of a frosted look.

Solid is, as the name suggests, totally opaque and the closest thing we have to turning Liquid Glass off.

Sleep Score

Close-up of the Apple Watch Series 11 showing a user's sleep score

(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)

The new beta for iPhone and Apple Watch has allowed Apple to adjust the ranges for Sleep Scores that were introduced earlier this year. The new numbers are designed to better reflect how people might feel after that particular batch of sleep.

The scores account for the amount of time spent asleep, your bedtime, and any interruptions you experience. Duration is worth 50 points of your final score. Bedtime is up to 30 and interruptions are 20 — making a total of 100.

Those new scores are:

  • Very Low - 0-40 (previously 0-29)
  • Low - 41-60 (previously 30-49)
  • OK - 61-80 (previously 50-69)
  • High - 81-95 (previously 70-89)
  • Very High - 96-100 (previously 90-100)

Passwords

The Passwords app now features the option to manage websites that don't have saved passwords. That way you can better control which sites aren't going to prompt you to save your passwords every time you log in.

AirPods

AirPods Pro 3

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Users in the EU can now use AirPods Live Translation, a feature that had been delayed because Apple had to ensure it complied with the Digital Markets Act. This means European users can now hear translated versions in real time through AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 (with ANC).

Languages on offer include English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese and Korean.

AirDrop

This feature isn't actually live yet, but the iOS 26.2 beta 2 includes references to being able to pair AirDrop to specific devices for 30 days. This is done with two users sharing a PIN, and extends the current 10-minute limit for non-contacts.

Enhanced Safety Alerts

The Notifications menu now features an Enhanced Safety Alerts section for managing earthquake alerts, imminent threat alerts and turning on an improved alert delivery feature — which uses your location to improve the reliability of the notifications you receive.

Flash for Alerts

Accessibility settings now let users set up a screen flash every time they get an alert, which will be useful for those who can't hear notification chimes or vibrations. Previously this was only available with the iPhone's back LED, which makes this a very welcome upgrade.

Other updates

iOS 26

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Nice and simple, the Freeform app now supports tables, while the Reminders app has the option to set an alarm whenever a reminder is due. Simply tap the "Urgent" option when creating it.

The Podcasts app also offers three new features, with the ability to automatically create chapters, options to see mentions of other podcasts in transcripts, and direct links to any weblinks mentioned in the episode.

Finally, Apple News has an updated design, with a new quick access menu for categories like sports, politics, food, business and more.

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Tom Pritchard
Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

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