Yesterday, August 11, 2025, Apple dropped iOS 26 beta 6 for developers, barely a week after beta 5. At this point, it’s almost a ritual – Apple pushes a new beta, and we dissect it. And no, beta 6 didn’t escape our scrutiny either. We’re here to see exactly what’s new, what’s been fixed, and what Apple decided to quietly undo after beta 5’s experiments.
As always, the sixth beta arrives in that special phase when Apple stops throwing in big shiny features and starts obsessing over polish. Still, some visible tweaks made the cut, along with a couple of “oh, so we’re going back to how it was” moments. We’ll walk through the design changes, app updates, and performance tweaks, while keeping an eye on how beta 6 stacks up against its older sibling, because what’s the point of a new build if we can’t poke at the differences?
Table of Contents
Changes and Updates in iOS 26 Beta 6
When we covered earlier beta versions, we usually sorted the findings into neat little subsections, like design tweaks, app changes, and new features. Beta 6, however, decided to throw that structure out the window. The changes in this build refuse to sit quietly in tidy categories. So, instead of forcing them into our usual boxes, we’ll skip the formalities and lay them out one after another. Let’s see what’s inside.
1. Welcome Video with Liquid Glass Showcase
Right after installing beta 6, the iPhone now plays a short welcome video. Apple clearly decided that words alone weren’t enough, you get a quick visual tour of the OS changes, with the Liquid Glass design taking center stage. The clip parades the glossy, translucent look across various parts of the interface as if to say, “Yes, we know it’s pretty, and yes, you’re going to notice.”
iOS 26 beta 6 features a brand new startup sequence not seen before! Absolutely beautiful. pic.twitter.com/1Sx2TjiVkW
— Noah (@itsnoahd) August 11, 2025
2. Lock Screen Clock Gets a Liquid Glass Makeover
In beta 6, the lock screen clock received more transparency to match the Liquid Glass style. The digits now allow more of the wallpaper to show through, creating a closer visual match with the rest of the interface. The update aligns the lock screen with the overall design direction, though it may slightly reduce readability on certain backgrounds.
3. Toggles Gain Liquid Glass Animation
Previously, a toggle in iOS 26 was just a static switch that flipped from one state to another without much flair. In beta 6, Apple added an animation consistent with the Liquid Glass design. Now, when you turn a setting on or off, the switch reacts with a smooth, glossy motion instead of a plain jump. It’s a small touch, but one that makes the interface feel more deliberate, as if Apple finally decided that even toggles deserve some stage presence.
4. Faster App Launches with New Animations
In beta 6, apps now open with a refreshed animation that feels sharper and more fluid than before. Apple trimmed the transition time, so apps appear on screen almost instantly. Closing them also looks smoother, with the motion carrying a bit more polish.
Quite a few small, but noticeable tweaks to animations in iOS 26 Beta 6! Most transitions are (even) faster, snappier.
Most importantly, they’ve changed the app open/close animations to the iPadOS versions, which have a slight “magic lamp/genie”-like effect to them. pic.twitter.com/tkiInqR8MJ
— xezrunner (@xezrunner) August 11, 2025
5. Navigation Bars Adjusted for Better Readability
Beta 6 also tweaks the navigation bars in some apps. Apple adjusted the transparency levels to make text easier to read, especially when the background contains bright or busy elements. This means titles and buttons now stand out more clearly, reducing the need to squint or tilt the phone like you’re trying to catch better reception.
What we particularly appreciate is that Apple didn’t use this as an excuse to bring back the heavy frosted glass effect from older iOS versions. The bars keep their cleaner Liquid Glass look without that milky blur that made everything feel like it was behind a shower door. It’s a practical improvement that still keeps the updated design intact, a rare case of Apple improving usability without sacrificing style.
6. Preview App Redesign for Easier Access
In beta 6, Apple updates the Preview app. The New Document and Scan buttons now appear larger and sit in a more reachable spot. Open the document scanner, and you see the main controls at the bottom of the screen rather than at the top, right where your thumb lands. The tweak follows Apple’s push to put core actions front and center.
7. Goodbye to the Swipe Choice in the Camera App
In beta 5, Apple added a toggle in Settings that lets you switch the swipe direction for changing camera modes. The idea was to please both camps – those who adapted to the new, reversed swipe and those who wanted the classic layout. In beta 6, that option vanished without explanation. The Camera app now defaults back to the original swipe direction, and you have no choice to change it.
8. New Ringtones in the Sound Menu
If your iPhone lives permanently in silent mode, you will never notice this change. For everyone else, the update gives a few fresh options when you get tired of hearing the same ringtone you have ignored for the last five years. Beta 6 adds several new ringtones, including six variations of the classic Reflection tone – Buoyant, Dreamer, Tech, Pop, Reflected, and Surge.
iOS 26 beta 6 adds 6 new ringtones!
All 6 are variants of “Reflection” pic.twitter.com/BN3mWXm2t5
— Aaron (@aaronp613) August 11, 2025
Apple also introduces a completely new tone called Little Bird. Each one offers a distinct style, from light and airy to sharper, more digital notes.
A 7th new ringtone, this one is a new original one called Little Bird pic.twitter.com/0O5bcIhwGf
— Aaron (@aaronp613) August 11, 2025
9. Bug Fixes and a Possible New One
Alongside new features, beta 6 delivers a set of bug fixes for issues found in earlier builds. Some involve stability improvements, others address app glitches and visual errors. As always, the full list sits in the release notes on Apple’s official website for those who enjoy reading them like bedtime stories.
Of course, no beta arrives without its quirks. We already spotted a possible newcomer: screenshots now appear slightly darker. You probably noticed this in the comparison images from beta 5 in this very post. Whether Apple calls it an intentional “refinement” or admits it as a bug remains to be seen in the next beta.
Final Thoughts
That’s everything iOS 26 beta 6 has brought so far. In our view, it’s more than enough, especially with only a few weeks left before the official release of iOS 26 alongside the iPhone 17 lineup. It’s good to see Apple paying attention to design and smoothness even in small details like switches, while also refining other areas. Given the pace of updates, beta 7 could land next week, and we’re curious whether it will deliver more visible changes or just another round of bug fixes. We’ll know once it arrives.
