iOS 26.2 Beta Released: New Updates for Games, Messages & Measure
▼ Summary
– The second iOS 26.2 beta has been released, adding new features and improvements to the Games, Messages, and Measure apps.
– The Games app now displays a splash screen and includes features like filtering by friends’ games, real-time score updates, and better controller navigation.
– The Measure app’s Level tool has been updated with Liquid Glass effects to match the interface, and CarPlay users can disable pinned Messages conversations.
– This beta also improves animation smoothness when opening menus, building on changes from the first beta.
– The final version of iOS 26.2 is expected to launch in December, but beta software may be unstable and is not recommended for primary devices.
Apple has rolled out the second beta version of iOS 26.2, introducing several refinements to the user experience. This latest test build focuses on enhancing the Games, Messages, and Measure applications, bringing subtle yet meaningful improvements for those enrolled in the beta program.
Following the initial iOS 26.2 beta released about a week prior, this second iteration incorporates a handful of new features. While not as feature-rich as the first beta, it fine-tunes existing elements and adds a few new touches. The Games app now displays a splash screen upon launch, designed to draw attention to the updates it received in the earlier beta. These updates, which were easy to overlook, include new library filtering options. You can now filter your game collection to show titles your friends are currently playing, see challenge scores update in real-time during gameplay, and enjoy improved controller navigation within the app.
The Measure app sees a visual upgrade with the addition of a Liquid Glass effect to its Level tool, creating a more cohesive look with the rest of the operating system’s interface. For Messages, a new CarPlay-specific setting allows users to disable pinned conversations. Previously, the CarPlay display simply mirrored the iPhone’s Messages app, but this change gives drivers more control over what is shown while on the road. Beyond these app-specific changes, the beta also works on system-wide polish, delivering smoother animations when opening various menus.
Altogether, iOS 26.2 is shaping up to be a substantial software update. Combined with features from the first beta, such as a Liquid Glass lock screen slider, reminder alarms, and Sleep Score enhancements, this release offers a collection of user-facing improvements. For those interested in testing the beta, it is available for download, though it is generally advised to install it on a secondary device due to potential instability. The final, stable version of iOS 26.2 is anticipated for a public release sometime in December.
(Source: TechRadar)
