Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Apple has released the third developer beta of iOS 26, bringing a mix of subtle design changes, refinements, and bug fixes ahead of the public beta release expected later this month. Here’s a quick look at what’s new in Beta 3.

Less Transparency for Better Legibility

Apple is dialing back transparency effects across several apps. In Apple Music, Podcasts, the App Store, and Safari, navigation bars are now more opaque to improve button visibility. Notifications also appear darker against some backgrounds for better text contrast. Some users, however, feel that these changes take away from the distinct look of iOS 26.

New Wallpaper Color Options

The default iOS 26 wallpaper now comes in four new color variants:

• Halo
• Dusk
• Sky
• Shadow

Three of these lean into blue tones, while one brings in shades of purple. These wallpapers also show off unique differences in Dark Mode.

Control Center Tweaks

Apple has refreshed the color palette for core toggles in Control Center. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and Cellular icons now feature brighter blue and green tones that better match the rest of the interface.

iPadOS 26: Mouse Cursor Grows When Shaken

A handy macOS-like feature has arrived in iPadOS 26: shaking the cursor now enlarges it temporarily, making it easier to spot on-screen.

Maps Improvements

Offline maps now support fog advisories, and Apple has expanded the commute delay notifications introduced in earlier betas.

Safari Design Refinements

Folders in Safari have received slight visual updates for a more polished look.

Bug Fixes

Apple resolved a bug where iPads connected to external displays could enter sleep mode during active video calls.

Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the public beta release of iOS 26 later in July.