iOS 26 Beta 2: Control Center Gets Darker, New Ringtones and Recovery Assistance

Apple has just released the second developer beta of iOS 26, following the initial reveal at WWDC 2025. This update, with build number 23A5276f, focuses on improving the user experience by fixing bugs and refining visual elements. The Control Center has been updated with a darker appearance and an enhanced blur effect, and the default ‘Glass’ wallpaper has also received an update. Model-specific iPhone wallpapers have also been reintroduced. In Messages, alerts from unknown senders now appear with blue badges. Users can now enjoy a new ringtone variant, ‘Alt 1,’ accessible within the settings. Other changes include a live radio widget for Apple Music, providing quick access to live broadcasts from the home screen, and a streamlined ‘More’ button in Safari. A major addition is the new Recovery Assistant, designed to assist users with device startup issues by providing real-time instructions and troubleshooting steps, with the option to restore the phone using another iOS or iPadOS device. The update also addresses several bugs, especially with system features like Recovery Mode. Apple is testing a new Recovery Assistant that displays real-time text instructions and troubleshooting steps when a device won’t start up properly. It even allows users to restore the phone using another iOS or iPadOS device, reducing dependency on a Mac or PC. Numerous fixes address UI glitches across the Apple TV app, Messages, Mail, and Photos. Despite these improvements, known issues continue to exist across CarPlay, ARKit, HealthKit, and UIKit. Additional betas are expected before the public release.