iOS 26.2 beta: The biggest new features
Apple has a new iOS beta out now for your perusal.
Specifically, the beta for iOS 26.2 is out now for iPhone users. As the second update to iOS 26, it doesn't seem like it's going to be especially transformative or revolutionary. But, the fine folks at places like 9to5Mac have dug into iOS 26.2 and come back with information about the biggest new features you can expect when the update drops in the near-ish future.
iOS 26.2 beta: The biggest new features
Here's what you can expect from iOS 26.2.
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Changes to Apple Podcasts
As I said, iOS 26.2 isn't a huge update. Many of the changes are minor updates to apps and whatnot, starting with Apple Podcasts.
Specifically, podcasts will now have AI-generated chapters with timestamps. Podcast creators are free to make their own chapters that will override the AI-generated ones, but if they don't feel like doing that, you'll at least have something to use as a guide for when to avoid spoiler discussions about a movie you haven't seen yet. There's also a new "Podcast Mentions" feature that will link to other podcasts that are mentioned in the one you're listening to.
Sleep Score adjustments
Interestingly, Apple decided to refine the Apple Watch Sleep Score system. Here are the new score classifications, with the previous ones in parenthesis:
Very Low: 0-40 (was 0-29 before)
Low: 41-60 (was 30-49 before)
OK: 61-80 (was 50-69 before)
High: 81-95 (was 70-89 before)
Excellent: 96-100 (was 90-100 before)
In other words, it's a little less forgiving than it used to be.
Apple News redesign
Apple also made some UI changes to the Apple News app. For instance, the "Today" screen now has easy-access buttons for food, puzzles, politics, and sports, so you don't have to seek those out yourself. There's also a new "Following" tab that will surface stories you've saved and things you've favorited.
Liquid Glass lock screen customization
Lastly, Apple is continuing its quest to make people like Liquid Glass more.
After introducing an ability to tint the Liquid Glass UI in iOS 26.1, the new iOS 26.2 beta gives you even more control over it. There's now a slider that lets you adjust the opacity of the clock on your lock screen. This isn't a huge change, but it should be welcome for people who really, really don't like Liquid Glass.
Alex Perry is a tech reporter at Mashable who primarily covers video games and consumer tech. Alex has spent most of the last decade reviewing games, smartphones, headphones, and laptops, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He is also a Pisces, a cat lover, and a Kansas City sports fan. Alex can be found on Bluesky at yelix.bsky.social.
