“Apple Releases iOS 26.2 RC to Beta Testers as Company Starts Strong Push to iOS 26”
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Apple has rolled out the iOS 26.2 Release Candidate (RC)
to developers and enrolled beta testers, marking the final stage before the
software becomes available to the public. While RC versions rarely introduce
brand-new features, they bundle the polished upgrades that have appeared
throughout earlier beta cycles. With this update, iPhone users can expect
improvements such as Reminder-based alarms, one-time AirDrop
passcodes, expanded Live Translation for AirPods across the EU, and
several under-the-hood enhancements. At the same time, Apple has begun more
aggressively encouraging users still on iOS 18 to make the jump to iOS 26.
iOS 26.2 RC Now Available
Apple describes Release Candidate updates as the last
iteration of an operating system still in development. These builds are nearly
identical to the version that will ship publicly, though minor bug fixes can
still appear if needed. The RC build released this week carries the identifier 23C52.
According to the notes shared with testers, iOS 26.2 RC
resolves an AirDrop issue that prevented devices set to “Everyone” in
iOS 26.2 Beta 1 from being discovered by devices on Beta 2. It also corrects a
glitch where the Watch Face Gallery displayed English text only,
regardless of a user’s language settings.
Beyond the fixes, the public release of iOS 26.2 is expected
to refine several features. Reports indicate an update to the Sleep Score
system on Apple Watch, with the highest score tier changing from Excellent
to Very High.
Apple Podcasts is also expected to integrate with Apple
Intelligence, gaining the ability to auto-generate chapters, create links
to referenced shows, and organize related content. Live Translation for
AirPods may expand across EU regions, and users will reportedly see a new Liquid
Glass lock-screen slider that adjusts clock translucency.
The Reminders app is also slated for an upgrade, allowing
users to create alarms and triggers that can bypass active Focus modes—giving
people a way to ensure important alerts still get through.
Apple Intensifies Its Push Toward iOS 26
Recent reports suggest that Apple is placing iOS 26
front and center for anyone still running iOS 18. Although the September
release of iOS 26 has remained optional up to this point, iPhone owners on
older versions will now see iOS 26.1 listed as the recommended update
inside the Settings app.
iOS 18 will still receive security patches until it reaches
end-of-life, but these updates will be moved lower in the interface, while iOS
26 updates appear more prominently. This shift indicates that Apple is steadily
steering more users toward its latest operating system.
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#iPhoneUpdate #AppleIntelligence #AirDrop #AppleWatch #iOS26Release
