Apple’s next iPhone update, iOS 26.2, is quietly turning into one of those releases that change how you use your phone every single day. The headline feature is a major upgrade to AirDrop: you’ll finally be able to share files with people who are not in your contacts and keep that connection active for up to 30 days using a secure code. 
Alongside that, Apple is polishing smaller but genuinely useful details, such as clearer measurements in the Measure app and a handy battery charging time estimate right on the Lock Screen.
AirDrop finally grows up: 30 days of sharing without adding contacts
Until now, AirDrop has been incredibly convenient but also slightly awkward when you needed to send something to someone you barely know. You had three options: completely disable AirDrop, limit visibility to your contacts, or briefly open yourself up to everyone around you for 10 minutes. If you wanted a more permanent link with a new person, you often had to add them as a contact just to send a few photos or a document and then either keep that clutter in your address book or remember to delete it later.
iOS 26.2 introduces a smarter middle ground. Apple is adding a system of temporary, trusted AirDrop connections based on a one-time code. You can generate a secure code and share it with another iPhone user who isn’t in your contacts. Once they enter that code, the two of you become part of each other’s “known” AirDrop circle for the next 30 days. During that time, you can quickly send files back and forth without needing to reconfigure AirDrop or permanently store each other’s details.
Where to find the new AirDrop controls
The new options live in a dedicated section of the settings. On iOS 26.2, head to Settings > General > AirDrop and tap Manage Known AirDrop Contacts. There, Apple explains the new behavior in simple terms: you share a secure code, the other person enters it, and you can discover each other via AirDrop for 30 days. After that, access automatically expires unless you repeat the process.
This solution is especially useful in real-world scenarios: think of a group project at school, a co-worker from another department, a photographer sending you event pictures, or someone you just met at a conference. You don’t need to save them as a permanent contact, but you also don’t have to fiddle with AirDrop visibility every single time. It feels like a natural extension of how people already use AirDrop – only now with less friction and more privacy control.
Privacy and security: temporary, controlled visibility
Apple is clearly positioning this as a privacy-conscious feature. You are not switching AirDrop to “Everyone” indefinitely; instead, you are explicitly choosing who can see your device, and for a limited time window. The 30-day limit is long enough to cover ongoing collaborations or recurring file exchanges, but short enough that you don’t build up a permanent list of semi-strangers who can ping you forever.
Importantly, the access is tied to that one-time code you share. If at any point you change your mind, you can return to the AirDrop settings and manage or revoke access. And if you prefer to keep things as they are today, the traditional options remain there: you can keep AirDrop off, restrict it only to your contacts, or temporarily open it up to everyone nearby for 10 minutes.
iOS 26.2 Beta 3: what’s in this release
The new AirDrop feature is fully functional in iOS 26.2 Beta 3, which Apple recently rolled out. On an iPhone 15 Pro Max, the update weighs in at around 1.36 GB, hinting at more than just minor under-the-hood tweaks. Earlier code findings from the same beta have also suggested that, at least in Europe, Apple is preparing support for choosing a different default digital assistant instead of Siri, a change that would be a direct response to new regulations in the region.
In other words, iOS 26.2 is not a flashy redesign, but a collection of practical, user-focused upgrades that gently reshape how the iPhone works: smarter wireless sharing, clearer information on screen, and more control over the system’s behavior.
Measure app: clearer numbers for AR measurements
Another subtle change in iOS 26.2 Beta 3 appears in the Measure app. This is the AR-powered tool that turns your iPhone into a digital tape measure by using the camera, motion sensors, and, on some models, the LiDAR scanner. With the update, the way the numbers are rendered has been refined, making measurements easier to read at a glance.
It may sound small, but anyone who has used Measure while hanging shelves, checking if a piece of furniture will fit, or quickly measuring a box knows how important clarity is. The app overlays distance and size information directly over the real world, so clear typography and contrast are crucial. The refreshed look in iOS 26.2 makes those floating numbers feel more like dedicated tools and less like an experimental overlay.
Battery charging time on the Lock Screen: know when you’ll reach 80%
One of the most quietly useful details in iOS 26 is the charging time estimate, and in 26.2 Beta 3 it’s becoming more noticeable. When your iPhone is plugged in and charging, you may see a line on the Lock Screen such as “72% charged – 18m to 80%.” This tiny sentence packs a lot of practical information: not only does it tell you your current level, it also estimates how long it will take to hit 80%.
The 80% mark matters because that’s where Apple typically slows charging down to protect battery health, switching to a more gentle so-called trickle charging for the remaining percentage. Many users treat 80% as an everyday target: enough to comfortably get through the day while avoiding unnecessary wear on the battery. Being able to glance at the screen and see exactly how many minutes remain until that point makes planning easier – whether you’re about to leave for work, boarding a flight, or just waiting to grab your phone and head out.
While this estimate has technically been part of iOS 26 already, 26.2 makes it feel more integrated and visible. It’s the kind of feature you may not notice immediately, but once you do, it quietly becomes part of your routine.
How to install iOS 26.2 Beta 3
If you’re curious to try these features before the stable release arrives, you can install iOS 26.2 Beta 3 on your device – just keep in mind that beta software can include bugs and unexpected behavior. To check whether the update is already available to you, open Settings > General > Software Update. If you see a card for iOS 26.2 Beta 3, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
If the beta does not appear automatically, you may need to enroll in Apple’s testing program. Visit the Apple Beta Software Program page in your browser and sign up for the iOS 26 beta. Once registered, return to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Beta Updates at the top of the screen. You will see three main options: turn beta updates off entirely, receive the iOS 26 Public Beta, or receive the iOS 26 Developer Beta.
Public Beta vs Developer Beta: which one should you choose?
Apple no longer charges a fee to register as a developer, so in theory anyone can access the Developer Beta builds. However, that doesn’t automatically mean you should. Developer Betas are typically the first out of the gate and can be rough around the edges. They may contain more bugs, compatibility issues, or performance problems that Apple will iron out before releasing the Public Beta.
The Public Beta usually arrives a few days later, based on the same code but with several of the most glaring issues patched. If you rely on your iPhone for work, banking, or travel, the Public Beta is generally the safer choice. If you have a secondary device or simply don’t mind glitchy behavior in exchange for trying everything first, the Developer Beta delivers the earliest access to new features like the 30-day AirDrop sharing option.
Looking ahead to the final iOS 26.2 release
For users who prefer stability above all else, the best move is to wait for the official iOS 26.2 release, expected later this year. Once it rolls out as a stable update, you’ll get all the new AirDrop controls, the improved Measure experience, and the handy charging time estimate without the usual beta caveats.
Taken together, these changes reveal Apple’s current priorities: improving everyday quality-of-life details rather than chasing flashy visual overhauls. Being able to share files with people outside your contacts for 30 days, seeing exactly when your phone will hit that crucial 80% charge, and reading measurements more clearly in augmented reality may not be features that sell new iPhones on their own – but they are the kinds of thoughtful refinements that make the device you already own feel smarter, more modern, and a bit more in tune with how you actually live and work.