Apple is stopping the iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 developer betas from installing on devices with the C1 modem. The over-the-air update still appears, but the install fails. Apple has not explained the change.
Developers noticed the block soon after the first 26.2 betas arrived for iPhone, iPad, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Apple has not released the macOS 26.2 beta yet. Aaron Perris highlighted the issue on X.
The affected list includes iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, and the cellular M5 iPad Pro. These models use Apple’s new C1 or C1X cellular chips. Apple likely found a modem-related problem in the current builds and moved to protect users who had not updated.
Which devices are affected
If you use iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, or a cellular M5 iPad Pro, you will see the beta but the installation will fail. This applies to devices enrolled in Apple’s developer beta programs.
The Bloomberg have previously noted Apple’s push toward custom wireless silicon. Today’s block suggests the company is still tuning software for these chips. Apple has not said when a revised beta will ship.
For now, developers on these models should stay put on their current version of iOS 26 or iPadOS 26. The rest of the 26.2 testing cycle continues for other devices. We will watch for Apple to reissue the betas for C1 and C1X hardware and update once that happens.
