iOS 26 Beta 4 Unveils 9 Features: Liquid Glass UI, Maps Upgrades & More

Apple has pushed the fourth developer beta of iOS 26 to testers, refining the upcoming mobile operating system expected this fall. This release, arriving just weeks after beta 3, focuses on enhancing stability, battery performance, and introducing several user-facing improvements across core apps like Messages, Maps, and the system interface itself. Developers can now explore these changes as Apple inches closer to a public beta release.

The evolution of the new Liquid Glass UI remains a focal point. Beta 4 continues Apple’s adjustments to the transparency and readability of navigation bars within Control Center, Apple Music, the App Store, and other system areas. Following feedback on earlier betas, Apple appears to be shifting towards a more opaque “Frosty Glass” aesthetic, balancing visual flair with usability. Wallpaper customization also sees tweaks, with new color options added to the default iOS 26 background, offering more distinct appearances in Dark Mode.

Significant Enhancements Hit Apple Maps & Messages

One standout addition in iOS 26 beta 4 is the Apple Maps “Preferred Routes” feature. Designed for daily commuters, it provides previews of expected travel conditions before departure. More crucially, it proactively alerts users to significant delays encountered mid-commute and suggests viable alternative routes, aiming to reduce travel stress. This builds on Apple’s ongoing efforts to make Maps a more robust navigation tool.

The Messages app receives continued refinement. New chat backgrounds and the recently introduced poll feature are further polished. For users with compatible devices (expected to be iPhone 16 series and potentially select iPhone 15 models), Messages leverages Apple Intelligence to suggest relevant polls based on conversation content. Live Translation capabilities, accessible within Messages, Phone, and FaceTime calls, also benefit from underlying improvements in this build. Recovery Assistant mode, allowing device restoration without a Mac connection, and order tracking within the Wallet app, introduced in prior betas, remain key features.

iOS 26 Beta 4: Supported Devices & Availability

Confirming earlier reports, iOS 26 drops support for the iPhone XR and iPhone XS models. The supported device list includes:

• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e

Alongside iOS 26 beta 4, Apple also released the fourth developer betas for iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. The first public beta versions for all these operating systems are anticipated imminently, allowing non-developers to test the new features under Apple’s beta program terms.

The latest iOS 26 beta 4 demonstrates Apple’s commitment to refining its vision for the next-generation iPhone software, blending aesthetic polish like the evolving Liquid Glass UI with practical tools such as smarter Maps routing and AI-assisted Messages features. As stability improves and the public beta nears, users can expect a clearer picture of the enhancements coming to supported iPhones this fall. Developers should download the beta now via the Apple Developer Center to explore the changes firsthand.

Must Know

1. What’s new in iOS 26 beta 4?
   The fourth developer beta of iOS 26 focuses on refinements like further adjustments to the Liquid Glass UI transparency, new wallpaper color options, the introduction of the “Preferred Routes” feature in Apple Maps for commute planning and delay alerts, and continued polish for Messages app features like polls and backgrounds. Stability and battery improvements are also key goals.
2. Which iPhones support iOS 26?
   iOS 26 drops support for the iPhone XR and iPhone XS models. Supported devices start from the iPhone 11 series and iPhone SE (2nd gen) up through the anticipated iPhone 16 lineup. This includes all iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15 models.
3. Is the iOS 26 public beta available?
   Not yet. iOS 26 beta 4 is currently only available to registered Apple developers. However, based on Apple’s typical release schedule, the first public beta of iOS 26 is expected to follow the developer beta 4 release very soon, likely within the next week or two.
4. What is the Liquid Glass UI in iOS 26?
   Liquid Glass is a new design language introduced in iOS 26, characterized by translucent, fluid-like interface elements. Beta 4 shows Apple refining this aesthetic, making navigation bars in apps like Control Center and Apple Music more opaque (“Frosty Glass”) to improve readability while maintaining the distinctive look.
5. Does iOS 26 beta 4 include Apple Intelligence features?
   While the core Apple Intelligence infrastructure is part of iOS 26, many specific features require compatible hardware (expected to be iPhone 16 series and select iPhone 15 models). Beta 4 includes groundwork for features like AI-suggested polls in Messages based on conversation content, which will be active on supported devices. Live Translation across Messages, Phone, and FaceTime is also present.