Apple has rolled out iOS 26 Beta 6, and it’s turning heads with speed improvements that make some apps open almost instantly. If you’re running the new beta, try tapping the Calendar or Clock apps-you’ll notice they launch with lightning-fast animations. 
While it’s unclear if this is an intentional upgrade or a happy accident, users are hoping it stays in the final release.
The update also refines Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic. The lock screen is now more transparent, showing more of your wallpaper, the clock is brighter, and home screen icons appear to float elegantly over the background. Six new ringtones have been added, with “Dreamer” quickly becoming a fan favorite and sparking chatter across social media.
One of the more controversial tweaks in iOS 26 has been the Camera app’s mode picker. Originally, Apple reversed the long-standing swipe direction, causing confusion among users. In Beta 5, a toggle appeared to restore “Classic Mode.” Now, in Beta 6, the toggle is gone, and the Camera app’s swipe gestures have been reverted to match other apps by default.
Other visual adjustments include snappier transitions, smoother animations, and a new app open/close effect borrowed from iPadOS, giving a subtle “magic lamp” feel. These small refinements add up to a noticeably smoother experience.
iOS 26 Beta testing began right after WWDC 2025, and for some users, it’s been a mostly smooth ride-though bugs like a temporary ringtone failure did pop up. The stable version is expected to drop in about a month, marking the end of the beta phase for early adopters eager to return to the official release.
If you’re part of the Beta program, you can install iOS 26 Beta 6 by heading to Settings > General > Software Update and following the prompts.