What iOS 26 Beta 1 Is
iOS 26 Beta 1 is build 23G5028e, released on May 26, 2026. It is a pre-release build available through the developer and public beta channels, and it supersedes every earlier iOS 26 beta.
This is the first build of the iOS 26 cycle we have on record, which makes it the baseline every later build is measured against.
Beta 1 Build Numbers Across Every Platform
Apple ships each beta wave across its platforms on the same day, usually with different build numbers per operating system. Here is every build we recorded in this wave, taken from Apple's own release feed rather than reposted from elsewhere.
Matching build numbers between two platforms — as iOS and iPadOS almost always have — mean they are built from the same source, which is why their betas behave identically.
| Platform | Version | Build | Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS 26 | 26.6 | 23G5028e | May 26, 2026 |
| iPadOS 26 | 26.6 | 23G5028e | May 26, 2026 |
| macOS 26 | 26.6 | 25G5028f | May 26, 2026 |
| tvOS 26 | 26.6 | 23L5729e | May 26, 2026 |
| visionOS 26 | 26.6 | 23O5728e | May 26, 2026 |
| watchOS 26 | 26.6 | 23U5025e | May 26, 2026 |
How to Install iOS 26 Beta 1
There is no profile to download. Enrol your Apple Account free at beta.apple.com for the public beta or developer.apple.com for the developer channel, then open Settings → General → Software Update → Beta Updates and select the iOS 26 channel. The build appears in Software Update like any ordinary update.
If you are already on an earlier iOS 26 beta, this arrives as a normal update and no re-enrolment is needed. Our full iOS 26 install guide covers the process step by step, and our device pages tell you whether your exact model qualifies.
Should You Install It?
That depends on where this build sits in the cycle and what the device is for. Early builds break third-party apps — banking and workplace apps first — and cost you a week of heavy background indexing. Later builds are progressively calmer.
Whatever you decide, make an archived backup on a computer first. A backup made on iOS 26 cannot be restored onto the previous release, so it is the only route back with your data intact — our backup guide explains the difference, and our honest assessment covers running a beta on the phone you depend on.
What Comes After Beta 1
Beta 1 is the newest iOS 26 build we have on record. Based on this cycle's cadence, the next one is due within the next couple of weeks — this page updates automatically when it lands.
Our build history tracks every iOS build with its date and the gap before it, which is the clearest picture of how a cycle is progressing. The beta calendar guide explains the shape of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the build number for iOS 26 Beta 1?
iOS 26 Beta 1 is build 23G5028e, released on May 26, 2026.
When was iOS 26 Beta 1 released?
May 26, 2026.
Is there a beta profile for iOS 26 Beta 1?
No. Apple removed beta profiles in 2023. Enrol your Apple Account free at beta.apple.com or developer.apple.com and select the channel in Settings — there is no file to download.
How do I check which build I am on?
Settings → General → About, then tap the version number to reveal the build. If it reads 23G5028e you are on iOS 26 Beta 1. Our build number guide explains how to read them.