Apple has released iPadOS 26.4 beta 1 to developers, kicking off the next test cycle just days after iPadOS 26.3 arrived for everyone.
This first beta is mainly for developers who want to check app compatibility early, test new APIs, and spot system changes before the public beta lands. Apple usually expands access after the developer build has had a little time in the wild.
Right now, iPadOS 26.4 beta 1 looks like a “start of cycle” release. It is too early to call out a long list of user-facing changes, but this is the build where new features often begin to appear across weekly updates.
How to update to iPadOS 26.4 beta 1
Before you start, back up your iPad. Betas can break apps, drain battery faster, or introduce bugs that are hard to undo.
Then install the beta like this:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Software Update
- Tap Beta Updates
- Choose iPadOS 26 Developer Beta
- Go back, then tap Download and Install
If you do not see the beta option, make sure the Apple Account signed into your iPad is enrolled for developer beta access.
Changes in iPadOS 26.4 beta 1
Apple has not published a full public changelog for this specific beta in the general Settings screen, so the best read right now is what testers discover over the next few days.
Here’s what to watch first:
- Performance and stability tweaks: Early betas often focus on framework changes and under-the-hood fixes, which can also shift battery behavior.
- App compatibility updates: If you rely on enterprise apps, banking apps, or MDM profiles, check them early because betas can trigger login loops or block security checks.
- New emoji and small UI additions: This part of the cycle often brings smaller visible additions like emoji updates.
Siri and Apple Intelligence notes
Many people expected this cycle to carry meaningful Siri and Apple Intelligence upgrades, but recent reporting says some of the bigger Siri work may not land in 26.4 after internal testing delays. That can push features into later releases like 26.5 or beyond.
Even if the headline Siri changes do not ship in this first beta, Apple can still add smaller Apple Intelligence-related tweaks during the 26.4 beta cycle. We will soon report if we spot anything major, including Siri and Apple Intelligence changes, as more builds arrive and feature flags start showing up.
For now, if you install this beta, treat it as an early developer test build. Use a secondary iPad if you can, keep backups current, and expect some rough edges.
Let us know in the comments if you have noticed any changes in iPadOS 26.4 beta 1, especially battery life, performance, and Siri behavior.
