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Apple releases beta 4 for iPadOS 26.6, watchOS 26.6, more [U: Public betas]

Avatar for Ryan Christoffel  | Jul 6 2026 - 10:20 am PT
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Update July 7, 4:19 p.m. ET: Apple has also released the third public betas of tvOS 26.6 and watchOS 26.6.

One week after its last betas, Apple has just released beta 4 for iPadOS 26.6, watchOS 26.6, and more. Here’s what to expect.

New betas arrive for 26.6 line of software updates

Today Apple released new betas for both of its current software tracks.

It’s been two weeks since the last wave of iOS 27 betas. And only one since iOS 26.3 beta 3 dropped.

And today, alongside the anticipated iOS 27 beta 3, Apple also released another round of betas for iOS 26.6 and its companion updates.

Beta 4 is available for iPadOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, HomePod 26.6, and more.

We’re expecting a public launch of these updates later this month. Typically Apple ships its x.6 updates by late July, and the same will likely happen this year.

So far in the beta cycle, the 26.6 round of updates appears entirely focused on bug fixes and performance improvements. We haven’t discovered any new features, only under-the-hood updates.

Perhaps today’s latest betas will change that—but it’s unlikely. With Apple’s focus now on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, and more, we won’t likely find much that excites in the 26.6 lineup.

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Avatar for Ryan Christoffel Ryan Christoffel

Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.