Everything new in iOS 26.2 beta 1

Apple has released iOS 26.2 beta 1, and it’s packed with refinements across Sleep tracking, Podcasts, AirPods, and more. Here’s a quick look at what’s new.

Sleep Score changes

Apple has tweaked how Sleep Score works in the Health app. “Very High” now replaces “Excellent” as the top rating, with adjusted thresholds for all categories. The update aims to make scores more realistic based on user feedback.

Smarter Apple Podcasts app

The Podcasts app now uses AI to automatically generate chapters, link to mentioned podcasts, and collect show references — making it easier to navigate and discover content.

Apple News refinements

Following the big redesign in iOS 26, Apple News gets quick links to popular sections, offering a faster, cleaner browsing experience.

AirPods Live Translation expands

AirPods Live Translation is rolling out to European Union countries in December — likely when iOS 26.2 exits beta.

Liquid Glass Lock Screen slider

A new Liquid Glass slider lets users fine-tune the translucency of the Lock Screen clock for every font style, adding more visual customization.

Reminders gain alarms and timers

You can now set alarms and timers for urgent reminders. These alerts can even break through Focus modes, ensuring you never miss an important task.