What to know
- Blood Oxygen revamp: A redesigned feature for Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 in the U.S.
- Adaptive Power Notifications: New toggle lets you control battery-saving alerts on iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
- Screenshot fix: No more dark, oversaturated screenshots—your pics look crisp again.
Hey, iPhone enthusiast! iOS 26 Beta 7 just rolled out, and it’s like Apple gave your device a quick polish before the big show. This isn’t a massive overhaul, but it’s got some nifty tweaks that’ll make your iPhone and Apple Watch feel a bit more fabulous. Let’s unpack the goodies, straight from the trusty folks at MacRumors.
Blood Oxygen gets a glow-up
Got an Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, or Ultra 2 bought in the U.S. after mid-January 2024? You’re in for a treat! iOS 26 Beta 7, paired with watchOS 26 Beta 7, brings a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature.
It’s back and better than ever, making it easier to keep tabs on your oxygen levels whether you’re scaling a mountain or just binge-watching your favorite series. Apple’s spruced up the interface, so it’s slick and user-friendly. Health nerds, rejoice—this one’s for you
Battery life that’s got your back
Say hello to Adaptive Power Mode, iOS 26’s clever way to stretch your iPhone’s battery life. Available on iPhone 15 Pro models and newer, this mode tweaks performance like a pro—dimming the screen just a tad, slowing down non-essential tasks, and flipping to Low Power Mode when your battery hits 20%.
Beta 7 adds a shiny new Adaptive Power Notifications toggle in Settings > Battery > Power Mode. You decide if you want a ping every time this mode kicks in. It’s like your iPhone whispering, “I’m saving juice, you cool with that?” Talk about a battery buddy that’s got your back
Screenshots that actually look good
Ever take a screenshot and wonder why it looks like it was dipped in a dark filter? Beta 7 squashes that bug. Your screenshots are back to looking crisp and vibrant, just the way they should. No more squinting at overly dark images—your photo gallery’s ready to shine again.
Why this beta’s a final tune-up
With iOS 26’s official launch looming in September (likely around the iPhone 17 event on September 9), Beta 7 is all about ironing out the kinks. It’s less about flashy new features and more about making sure everything runs smoother than a sunny afternoon breeze.
MacRumors notes that this beta focuses on bug fixes and refinements, signaling we’re in the home stretch before the Golden Master release. Think of it as Apple’s last rehearsal before the curtain goes up.
Should you jump on the beta train?
Feeling adventurous? You can snag iOS 26 Beta 7 by heading to Settings > General > Software Update and selecting the Developer Beta option (if you’re a registered developer). But hold up—betas can be a bit quirky, so back up your iPhone to iCloud first.
If you’re not a developer, the public beta (likely Beta 4) is a safer bet, offering most of these perks with a bit more stability. Either way, you’re getting a sneak peek at iOS 26’s future, and it’s looking pretty sweet.
The bottom line: Small but mighty
iOS 26 Beta 7 might not be a game-changer, but it’s packing some thoughtful updates. The redesigned Blood Oxygen feature, smarter battery notifications, and screenshot fix show Apple’s fine-tuning the experience for a stellar launch.
Ready to give it a spin? Let us know how these tweaks vibe with you, and let’s geek out over what’s next for your iPhone!
Discussion