iOS 26 Beta 7: What’s New Before the September Release

Apple has pushed out iOS 26 Beta 7 to developers, signaling that the software is nearing its final form ahead of September’s public launch. At this stage, the focus is less on flashy features and more on refining what’s already there. Even so, this build introduces several meaningful changes across battery management, health tracking, AI, apps, and gaming.

Adaptive Power Notifications

Battery tweaks remain a recurring theme in iOS betas, and Apple continues to expand on its new Adaptive Power Mode. Unlike the traditional Low Power Mode, Adaptive Power makes smaller system-wide adjustments: dimming the screen, slowing background activity, and flipping into Low Power Mode automatically at 20%.

In Beta 7, there’s now a toggle for Adaptive Power Notifications under Settings > Battery > Power Mode. Users can choose whether they want alerts whenever the system slows performance to conserve battery.

Support remains limited to devices with Apple Intelligence capabilities. That list currently includes the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, plus the full iPhone 16 lineup. Older models still only see the standard Low Power Mode option.

Redesigned Blood Oxygen Feature

Perhaps the most significant health-related change is the reappearance of the Blood Oxygen feature on Apple Watch models sold in the U.S. The function was disabled on the Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 during Apple’s ongoing patent dispute with medical tech firm Masimo. With regulators now approving Apple’s workaround, the feature has returned in iOS 26 and watchOS 27 Beta 7.

The workaround alters how readings appear. Instead of showing oxygen levels directly on the watch face, data is now routed to the Health app on iPhone. The process is less seamless than before, but it restores access to a sensor that many owners expected to use when they bought their devices. Typical blood oxygen saturation sits between 95% and 100%, and now U.S. users can once again measure it.

Liquid Glass Refined Again

Apple continues to experiment with its new Liquid Glass interface. Beta 7 makes the effect look slightly more translucent compared to the sharper transparency seen in Beta 6. It’s a subtle shift, but one that has testers divided—some prefer the crisper look, while others like the softer approach. With Apple still tuning the design this late in the cycle, the final version remains uncertain until September’s release.

Apple Intelligence Improvements

Performance improvements have also landed for Apple’s on-device AI. Faster response times come courtesy of better caching, and several bugs have been ironed out, including issues affecting Image Playground and Genmoji for Japanese users. Another fix addresses AI results degrading after extended use, though it will take more testing to confirm whether the problem is truly solved.

Journal App Smarter Syncing

The Journal app is evolving into a more consistent cross-device tool. Suggestions now sync across iPhone and iPad via iCloud, letting users start an entry on one device and finish on another.

Smart notifications have also been introduced, prompting users to write at contextually relevant times in their daily routine. Suggestions now include more categories such as Holidays and Celebrations, expanding on earlier journaling prompts.

Wallet Order Tracking

Order tracking inside Apple Wallet is more polished in this build. The feature automatically scans confirmation emails from merchants and delivery companies, pulling shipping updates into a unified timeline within Wallet. While first announced at WWDC and tested in earlier betas, Beta 7 adds refinements that make the system more reliable ahead of release.

DualSense Controller Updates for Gamers

Gamers using Sony’s DualSense or DualSense Edge controllers should notice smoother support. iOS 26 Beta 7 makes it easier to switch controllers across multiple Apple devices, and pressing the Home button now launches a new Game Overlay for quick navigation and game management.

Other Fixes and Small Changes

A handful of bugs have been addressed across the system. Screenshots no longer appear darker than intended, and the Messages app gains a Drafts filter view for unsent texts. On macOS Tahoe, the onboarding video for new MacBooks once again acknowledges the display notch, though without drawing attention to it.

Dozens of other refinements land across Mail, Maps, Photos, CarPlay, ARKit, and developer frameworks such as SwiftUI, StoreKit, and Apple’s foundation model APIs.

Looking Ahead

With Beta 7 out just a week after the second release of Beta 6, Apple is clearly on the final stretch. These changes may seem small in isolation, but together they show Apple tightening up iOS 26 across design, AI, health, and usability. By September, millions of iPhone users will get these updates, and Beta 7 gives us a strong preview of what’s to come.