Can’t Update to iOS 26 Beta on iPhone and iPad? 7 Best Fixes!

Are you trying to install the iOS 26 Beta on your iPhone or iPad but hitting a wall? You’re not alone. A decent number of iOS users have complained about the software update issue. While some have complained that the update doesn’t show up, others have reported that it gets stuck midway and doesn’t finish. In this guide, I’m going to break down the 7 best tips and tricks to fix the iOS 26 update not installing on iPhone and iPad. Read on…

1. Check Device Compatibility with iOS 26

Before diving into troubleshooting, confirm that your iPhone or iPad supports iOS 26 Beta. Apple typically drops support for older devices with major updates.

Take a look at the list of iPhone models that support iOS 26:

• iPhone 17
• iPhone 17 Air
• iPhone 17 Pro
• iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE 2
• iPhone S3

Here’s the List of iPad models that support iPadOS 26:

• iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st
• generation and later)
• iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad (A16), iPad (8th generation and later)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad mini (5th generation and later)

To verify compatibility:

• Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad > General > About to find your device model.

• Check Apple’s official list of supported models for iOS 26.

If your device is not listed, you won’t be able to install the beta.

2. Make Sure You’re Enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program

The iOS 26 Beta will only appear if you’ve joined Apple’s Beta Software Program or have a developer profile installed. To check if your device is enrolled:

• Head to Settings > General > Software Update.

• Now, tap Beta Updates.
• If the option doesn’t appear, go to beta.apple.com or developer.apple.com and log in with your Apple ID.
• Follow the instructions to enroll your device.

After enrollment, restart your iPhone or iPad and revisit the Software Update section.

3. Ensure You Have a Stable Wi-Fi Connection

A weak or unstable internet connection can stop the beta update from downloading or verifying. Switch to a reliable Wi-Fi network:

• Turn off and on Wi-Fi from Control Center.
• Restart your router.
• If you’re using a VPN, disable it temporarily.

Then navigate to Settings > General > Software Update again to check if the iOS 26 Beta appears.

4. Free Up Storage Space on Your Device

Lack of storage is a common reason for update failures. iOS updates require several gigabytes of free space for the system image and temporary files. Here’s how to clear space:

• Head into the Settings app > General > iPhone Storage.

• Delete unused apps, offload large games, and remove old media.
• Clear Safari cache or message attachments.

Aim to have at least 15/20GB of free space before attempting to install the beta.

5. Restart or Force Restart Your iPhone or iPad

Sometimes, all your device needs is a simple restart to fix background glitches affecting the update process. Try restarting first:

• Just hold Power + Volume Down, then slide to power off.
• Wait 30 seconds, then power on.

If that doesn’t help, do a force restart:

• Quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

Once your device restarts, check again for the beta update in Settings.

6. Reset Network Settings

Corrupt or misconfigured network settings might prevent your device from connecting to Apple’s servers. Resetting these settings can help:

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
• Tap Reset Network Settings.

This will erase saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairings, so reconnect to your network afterward. Then go back to Software Update and try again.

7. Use Finder or iTunes to Install the Beta Manually

If none of the above work and you’ve already downloaded the iOS 26 Beta IPSW file from Apple’s Developer site, consider installing it via Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows):

1. To get going, connect your device to your computer.
2. Open Finder or iTunes and select your iPhone/iPad.
3. Hold Option (Mac) or Shift (Windows) and click Check for Update.
4. Select the downloaded IPSW file and follow the on-screen instructions.

Make sure to back up your device beforehand, as manual installation carries some risk of data loss.

Wrapping up..!

And that’s about it! Updating to iOS 26 Beta can be exciting, offering access to cutting-edge features before the general public. However, beta software is inherently unstable and can be tricky to install. Whether the update doesn’t show up or you keep encountering errors, these seven fixes will help you get back on track.

Always ensure your device is compatible, has enough storage, and is properly enrolled in Apple’s beta program. And if all else fails, a manual update via Finder or iTunes can often do the trick.

Stay patient, and you’ll be testing out iOS 26 in no time.