Apple iOS 26 Beta 2: From Liquid Glass refinements to new Live Radio widget, here’s what’s new

Apple has officially rolled out iOS 26 Beta 2 to developers and early adopters, introducing a fresh round of enhancements and subtle tweaks that hint at the direction Apple is taking ahead of the final public release. While iOS 26 Beta 1 gave users a taste of what’s to come, Beta 2 refines the experience with performance improvements, aesthetic polish, and some nifty new features like the Live Radio widget. Here’s a breakdown of the most noteworthy changes in this latest beta version.


Liquid Glass Interface Sees Visual Refinements

One of the most visually appealing elements introduced in iOS 26 is the Liquid Glass interface, a sleek, semi-transparent design that adds a fluid, futuristic aesthetic to the system UI. With Beta 2, Apple appears to have polished this further.

The transparency now responds more intelligently to lighting conditions and background content, adjusting contrast and depth to maintain legibility without sacrificing the glassy look. In apps like Safari, Messages, and Settings, the Liquid Glass panels blend more naturally into the screen, giving a seamless visual flow that complements Apple’s minimalist design language.

Some developers have also noticed smoother animations when transitioning between screens, possibly hinting at under-the-hood performance boosts aligned with Apple’s upcoming hardware upgrades.


Live Radio Widget Joins the Home Screen

Arguably the most exciting addition in Beta 2 is the Live Radio widget, a feature that’s been requested for years. Users can now place a Live Radio widget on the home screen or Lock Screen to instantly stream stations from Apple Music or their favorite radio providers.

The widget supports multiple sizes and even displays dynamic cover art, station name, and track details. Tapping it launches the stream directly—no need to open the full app. Early testers report minimal buffering and a smooth listening experience, suggesting Apple has prioritized performance for this real-time media feature.

With podcast and radio streaming on the rise, this widget brings iOS up to speed with user demands for accessible, always-on audio content.


Updated Control Center Shortcuts

Beta 2 continues Apple’s incremental overhaul of the Control Center. While the core layout remains unchanged, shortcuts now include improved haptic feedback and more intuitive icons.

The Focus Mode toggle now displays current status (e.g., “Do Not Disturb: Until Tomorrow Morning”) with more context, while the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tiles provide smoother transitions when toggled on or off. These quality-of-life updates, though small, enhance daily usability and reduce friction.


More Intelligent Siri Suggestions

Siri Suggestions in iOS 26 Beta 2 appear to be smarter and more personalized. Users report that the on-device intelligence powering Siri now better understands daily routines. For example, if you typically call someone after your evening run, Siri may now suggest that call when you finish your workout.

These improvements are driven by on-device machine learning, which respects privacy while enabling smarter predictions. This aligns with Apple’s broader AI strategy that emphasizes user control and local data processing.


Improved App Privacy Reports

Apple’s continued emphasis on privacy is evident in the redesigned App Privacy Reports. In Beta 2, users get a clearer breakdown of what data apps access, how often, and whether third-party SDKs are involved.

This updated dashboard highlights high-activity apps and alerts you to apps that have accessed your location, microphone, or camera unusually often. Users can also see historical data, helping them make informed choices about app permissions.


Battery Health Enhancements

In a welcome move for iPhone users concerned with device longevity, iOS 26 Beta 2 introduces more detailed battery health metrics. In addition to the maximum capacity percentage, you now get real-time data on charge cycles, temperature trends, and estimated battery lifespan.

For those using iPhones older than two years, this feature could help diagnose early signs of battery aging and better plan for replacements. It also aligns with Apple’s sustainability goals by encouraging users to monitor and extend device life.


Messages and FaceTime Upgrades

Apple continues refining the iMessage and FaceTime experience. In Beta 2:

  • The Messages app gains improved sticker reactions, now showing more animation options and better tapback responses.
  • FaceTime now supports voice isolation for group calls, reducing background noise even when multiple people are speaking.
  • Additionally, FaceTime links now include iCloud calendar integration, making it easier to schedule calls with reminders.

Settings Menu Gets a Slight Redesign

Though not a headline feature, Beta 2 brings subtle layout changes to the Settings app. Categories like Notifications, Battery, and Privacy have better icon spacing and visual alignment. Apple seems focused on reducing visual clutter while keeping navigation intuitive.

These tweaks may seem minor, but they help create a more cohesive and user-friendly experience—especially for users with accessibility needs.


Performance and Bug Fixes

Performance is the cornerstone of any beta, and iOS 26 Beta 2 delivers noticeable improvements:

  • App launch times are slightly faster, particularly for heavier apps like Photos and Mail.
  • Frame drops in the multitasking view, seen in Beta 1, are now mostly resolved.
  • Several bugs affecting notification previews, Health data syncing, and Spotlight search have been patched.

Battery performance appears more stable as well, although it’s too early to assess real-world improvements comprehensively.


Developer Feedback and What’s Next

Developer response to iOS 26 Beta 2 has been largely positive. Many applaud the refined visuals, faster animations, and thoughtful widget additions. However, as with all betas, some users are still reporting minor app crashes and compatibility issues with third-party apps.

The public beta is expected soon, with further refinements in the pipeline. Apple is clearly listening to both developers and users, focusing on polish rather than dramatic overhauls—an approach that often leads to the most stable final release.


Final Thoughts

iOS 26 Beta 2 might not bring sweeping changes, but it continues Apple’s tradition of methodical refinement and user-centric updates. From the visually refined Liquid Glass interface to the practical new Live Radio widget, the update makes daily interactions more intuitive and enjoyable. With improved Siri intelligence, better privacy tools, and more responsive UI elements, iOS 26 is shaping up to be a meaningful step forward—even if it’s not revolutionary.

As more betas roll out in the coming weeks, users can expect even greater stability and perhaps a few surprise features before the full public launch later this year.