Apple has just released iOS 26 Beta 5 to developers today. As usual, I’m excited to bring you an early look at what’s new and how it compares to the previous Beta 4, let’s take a look.
As for iOS 26 Public Beta 2, it should arrive within the next 1–3 days.
In case you missed it, here are the features included in iOS 26 Beta 4 →
Control Center
When scrolling through tabs in Control Center, you’ll notice it feels more responsive and bouncy compared to previous betas.
When long-pressing the Wi-Fi module in Control Center, there’s now a lock icon next to the Wi-Fi name indicating whether the network is password-protected.
New AirDrop Icon
iOS 26 Beta 5 includes a redesigned AirDrop icon.
The new AirDrop icon was actually already in the iOS 26 Design Resources Apple released on June 9. Looks like Apple just remembered they had a new AirDrop icon and decided to drop it in Beta 5.
What’s New Screen
iOS 26 Beta 5 adds a “What’s New” screen for Apple Music, Notes, Journal and Freeform.
Camera
There’s a new Classic Mode Switching toggle in Camera settings. When it’s on, the selected camera mode stays in the center as you swipe — just like it used to be back in iOS 18 and earlier.
Turn it off, and the camera mode shifts left and right as you scroll. That was actually the default behavior in iOS 26 Beta 4, with no way to change it… until now.
Photos
In the Photos app, the date/time info above photos and videos has a small tweak — it now appears as a button in Beta 5. Tap it, and you’ll get the usual details, just like when you tap the “i” button.
Remove (-) Buttons
In iOS 26 Beta 5, the Remove (–) buttons in Control Center and Home Screen now use Liquid Glass again.
Safari
Safari also got a few tweaks in iOS 26 Beta 5. The bottom tab bar no longer gets covered up like before.
Also, the Show Reader and Plugin buttons in the address bar have now been combined into one instead of being separate. And when features are enabled from the hidden menu, their icons now turn blue instead of black.
Dynamic Island
The low battery alert in the Dynamic Island is now larger and includes an animation in iOS 26 Beta 5.
Image credit u/Long-Professional493
Game Mode
When launching a game, the Game Mode indicator has been refreshed in Beta 5, now featuring a rocket icon similar to the new Games app in iOS 26. Apple also added a description, “Access Game Overlay in Control Center.” Tapping it quickly opens the overlay.
Thanks to @iNekomac
Local Capture
Local Capture has a new icon in iOS 26 Beta 5. When long-pressing its Control Center, Apple replaced “Save to Downloads” with an “Audio Only” toggle, along with a new description: “Call audio and video will be saved to Downloads.”
Wallet
The “Payments” option in the Wallet app’s three-dot menu has been renamed “Preauthorized Payments,” matching the terminology used in iOS 18.6 and earlier. Its icon also now reflects your local currency instead of always showing “$”.
Apple finally made the “Select” button in the Mail app more accessible — in Beta 4, it was hidden in the three-dot menu.
Highlight to Search
The Highlight to Search indicator that appears when taking a screenshot (on devices that support Apple Intelligence) now features a new icon animation in Beta 5.
Dock
Some users report a taller Dock spacing on the Home Screen in iOS 26 Beta 5, but I personally haven’t noticed any change on my iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Image credit u/Androbots
New Apple Fitness+ Icon
Apple Fitness+ subscribers will also see a refreshed Fitness+ icon.
Image credit u/freaktheclown
AirPlay Menu
The “All Speakers & TVs” button is back in the AirPlay menu in Apple Music, the Lock Screen, and Control Center, it had been missing since iOS 26 Beta 1.
Additionally, I noticed that the AirPlay menu now uses a darker background in Beta 5, even when using Light Mode. In Beta 4 and earlier, the AirPlay menu background would change between light or dark depending on your device settings.
I’ll keep adding more iOS 26 Beta 5 changes and new features here as I discover them. Stay tuned and follow @BetaProfiles on X or Threads!
but restarting brings the icon back to normal.