Apple has released the iOS 26 Release Candidate (RC) to developers and public beta testers on September 9, 2025, following the iPhone 17 event.
This near-final version of iOS 26, likely matching the public release on September 15, introduces new health-focused features, enhanced home screen customization, and support for AirPods live translation.
Alongside iOS 26 RC, Apple also rolled out RC versions for iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, HomePod 26, and visionOS 26, ensuring a cohesive ecosystem update.
Release Information
The iOS 26 RC, build number 23A340, was released immediately after Apple's "Awe Dropping" iPhone 17 event, with a file size of approximately 8.39 GB on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, consistent with previous betas.
This full-size update requires 15–20 GB of free storage, depending on the device, due to a complete iOS reinstallation.
Users can install it via Settings > General > Software Update if enrolled in the developer or public beta program at beta.apple.com.
Those on the RC will not receive an update for the public release but may see iOS 26.1 beta 1 as early as September 16, 2025.
Users wishing to exit the beta program should disable beta updates in Settings to receive only the public release.
iOS 26 Public Release/ Second RC
Apple confirmed the public release date for iOS 26 as September 15, 2025, alongside other platform updates.
A second RC could be released by September 11 or 12 if critical bugs are found, though the current build is expected to be final unless issues arise.
Key Updates
New Health Features: Sleep Score and Hypertension Alerts
(Source: Apple)
The iOS 26 RC introduces significant updates to the Health app.
A new Sleep Score feature, available for Apple Watch users (Series 9 and later), calculates a score (e.g., 83/100) based on sleep duration, bedtime consistency, and interruptions.
It retroactively analyzes existing sleep data, displaying trends over weeks or months.
Additionally, Hypertension Alerts, pending FDA clearance, use the Apple Watch's optical heart sensor to detect patterns indicating chronic high blood pressure, available on Series 9, Ultra 2, and later models.
Enhanced Home Screen Customization
(Source: Twitter @BetaProfiles)
A standout feature in iOS 26 RC is the ability to tint home screen icons to match the color of an iPhone or a compatible MagSafe case, detected via NFC.
This builds on the Liquid Glass design, offering light and dark mode options with adjustable opacity for a personalized aesthetic.
However, some users reported visual glitches, such as icons disappearing when switching between tinted and clear modes.
Live Translation for AirPods
Announced at the iPhone 17 event, live translation for AirPods is included in iOS 26 RC, supporting AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, and AirPods Pro 3 with a forthcoming firmware update.
This feature enables real-time voice and text translation, enhancing accessibility for multilingual conversations.
New Fitness App and Workout Tab
The Fitness app now features a revamped interface with a dedicated Workouts tab on iPhone, mirroring Apple Watch functionality.
Users can track workouts, access a Workout Buddy feature, and control music playback directly.
Live Activities display workout progress, and new splash screens highlight features like Fitness+ and media integration.
Apple Watch Face Gallery Updates
The RC adds new watch faces, Flow and Exactograph, introduced with Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE3.
These are accessible via the Watch app's Face Gallery and are compatible with older supported Apple Watch models.
Additional Code Discoveries
The RC build includes code references to PowerBeats Fit support and a 3D model of the iPhone Air, hinting at future hardware.
A new setup process for AirPods Pro 3 is also visible, guiding users through initial configuration.
Performance & Battery Life
Performance in iOS 26 RC is reported as smooth, with faster animations and transitions compared to beta 9, particularly after the device cools down post-installation.
Geekbench scores on the iPhone 16 Pro Max show slight improvements (3483 single-core, 8657 multi-core), though no significant modem firmware changes (version 2.04.06) were noted.
Battery life is expected to improve slightly due to reduced background logging, but issues from betas 8 and 9, such as high battery drain, may persist until iOS 26.1 or 26.0.1.
Bug Fixes
The release notes indicate 53 categories of resolved issues (up from 52 in beta 9) and 37 known issues (down from 39).
Notable fixes include improved Camera app mode selection and CarPlay functionality, though issues like delayed photo sharing in the Camera app remain.
Minor visual glitches, such as Wi-Fi toggle animations not aligning with the Liquid Glass design, and occasional corner-filling issues during swiping, are still present.
Editor's Comments
Apple's iOS 26 Release Candidate feels less like a routine pre-launch build and more like a statement of where the platform is heading.
The health-focused additions—particularly Sleep Score and the forthcoming Hypertension Alerts—signal Apple's ongoing push to transform the iPhone and Apple Watch into medical-grade wellness companions.
Meanwhile, features like live AirPods translation and deeper home screen customization show Apple is listening to lifestyle and usability demands, not just healthcare.
Still, early tester feedback suggests this RC isn't flawless: visual glitches in icon tinting and lingering battery drain issues may frustrate users who expect the polish of a near-final release.
That said, performance gains and cohesive ecosystem updates across watchOS, visionOS, and macOS make iOS 26 one of the more ambitious rollouts in recent memory.
If Apple can iron out the last-mile bugs, the public release on September 15 is shaping up to be a meaningful upgrade rather than just an iterative step.
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