iOS 26 Beta 4 Is Out: here’s what’s new

Apple has released the fourth beta of iOS 26, bringing both visual refinements and functional updates. This version introduces a refreshed Liquid Glass effect, the return of intelligent notification summaries, UI tweaks, and new dynamic wallpapers.

The update is expected to be made available for public testing soon.

Liquid Glass Gets a Refresh

The Liquid Glass interface has been made more transparent in Beta 4, reversing the increased opacity seen in the previous build. In apps like Photos, Music, and the App Store, menu panels are now semi-transparent and allow more background color to show through. On the lock screen, the background dims as you scroll through notifications—making the text easier to read.

Notification Summaries Return

The Apple Intelligence-powered Notification Summaries feature is back for the News and Entertainment apps. It was previously pulled in January due to issues with inaccurate headline generation. After the update, users will be prompted to re-enable summaries, which appear in italics and are labeled “Apple Intelligence‌ summaries.”

Camera and Icon Updates

The Camera app has received a subtle tweak: the mode-switching button now moves with the interface rather than remaining fixed. The app icon has also been slightly redesigned on the home screen.

New Wallpapers for CarPlay and More

iOS 26 introduces fresh wallpapers for CarPlay, styled after the latest iOS backgrounds. They come in several color options—blue, green, gray, purple, and more—and support both Light and Dark Modes.

Some older wallpapers have been removed. The iOS 26 default wallpapers are now dynamic, with colors that shift throughout the day.

Security & Password Settings Improvements

The Face ID and Passcode section now features a redesigned interface, with clearer explanations for entering passcodes.

In the Passwords app, a new feature allows linking credentials to websites—automatically fetching site icons and identifying whether passkeys are supported.

Weather Forecast and Volume Settings

A new “Significant Locations” option has been added to the Weather app, allowing users to receive forecasts for frequently visited places.

Call Filtering and Mail App Tweaks

The update introduces more call filtering options for unknown numbers. Users can now disable the feature, prompt callers to state a reason, or send them directly to voicemail.