One of the most discussed features of iOS 26 has been its Liquid Glass design, a translucent visual effect that gives apps and menus a sleek, layered appearance. In beta 3, Apple scaled back this transparency, opting for a more frosted look in certain areas like tab bars, which sparked mixed reactions among testers. Beta 4 reverses course, restoring the vibrant, liquid-like quality to elements such as the App Store’s tab bar. This shift allows more background content to shine through, creating a dynamic and immersive interface that aligns with Apple’s vision for a modern iOS aesthetic.
The return to a bolder Liquid Glass design responds to feedback from developers and testers who preferred the original, more transparent look. By fine-tuning this feature, Apple aims to balance visual flair with usability, ensuring the interface remains both striking and functional for everyday use.
Dynamic Wallpaper Adds a Fresh Twist
A standout addition in iOS 26 beta 4 is the new Dynamic wallpaper option for the iPhone’s default wallpaper. Building on the color options introduced in beta 3—Dusk (purple-pink), Halo, Shadow, and Sky (various blue-green shades)—the Dynamic setting automatically cycles through these colors throughout the day. This feature, reminiscent of iOS 18’s dynamic wallpaper, adds a touch of personalization without requiring manual adjustments. Users can now enjoy a constantly evolving Lock Screen that adapts to the time of day, enhancing the iPhone’s visual appeal.
The Dynamic wallpaper is accessible through the wallpaper settings, offering a fifth option alongside the static color choices. This small but delightful update makes the iPhone feel more alive, catering to users who value customization in their daily interactions.
Smarter Notifications and Accessibility
Notifications are getting a usability boost in beta 4. When users enter the Notification Center, the Lock Screen wallpaper now darkens automatically, improving legibility by increasing contrast against notification text. This change addresses a common issue where bright wallpapers could make notifications hard to read, especially in certain lighting conditions. The adjustment is subtle but effective, ensuring users can quickly scan alerts without strain.
Additionally, beta 4 refines accessibility features. The Weather app now includes a toggle to access Significant Locations, allowing it to provide weather updates for places users frequently visit. This integration makes the app more context-aware, delivering relevant forecasts without manual input. Similarly, the Passwords app introduces an “Allow Contacting Websites” option, enabling it to fetch custom icons and names for websites and apps, as well as notify users when passkey support is available. These tweaks enhance the iPhone’s ability to anticipate user needs.
Apple Intelligence Makes a Comeback
After a brief hiatus, Apple Intelligence notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps return in beta 4. This feature, disabled earlier this year due to inaccuracies in summarizing headlines, now includes a setup flow where users can opt in. A prominent warning in red text cautions that “Summarization may change the meaning of original headlines. Verify information,” reflecting Apple’s commitment to transparency. Users can also report concerns directly to Apple, ensuring ongoing improvements to the AI-driven feature.
This reintroduction signals Apple’s confidence in refining its AI capabilities, which are a cornerstone of iOS 26’s feature set. Notification summaries aim to streamline how users consume news, condensing articles into quick, digestible snippets while encouraging verification for accuracy.
Camera and CarPlay Enhancements
The Camera app sees a minor but noticeable update with a refreshed icon design, aligning it with iOS 26’s modern aesthetic. While the change is cosmetic, it contributes to a cohesive visual experience across the system. Meanwhile, CarPlay users will appreciate new color options for the updated wallpaper design, replacing some older wallpapers to keep the interface fresh. These tweaks make CarPlay more visually engaging, especially for drivers who rely on it for navigation and media.
Another notable CarPlay addition, though not highlighted during Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote, is the ability to watch videos directly on the CarPlay screen in supported vehicles. This feature, detailed on Apple’s developer website, marks a significant expansion of CarPlay’s capabilities, catering to passengers or parked drivers seeking entertainment on the go.
Settings and App Improvements
Beta 4 introduces several under-the-hood refinements. The Face ID & Passcode section in the Settings app now features an updated interface with clearer wording, reminding users to enter their iPhone’s unlock passcode. The Phone app also gains new settings for silencing unknown callers and managing an enhanced call screening feature, offering users greater control over incoming calls. These updates streamline interactions and improve security, aligning with Apple’s focus on user privacy.
On the Mac side, macOS Tahoe 26 beta 4, released alongside iOS 26, refines notifications to match the iOS redesign and introduces a photo shuffle option for wallpapers. While these changes are specific to macOS, they highlight Apple’s effort to create a consistent experience across its ecosystem.
What It Means for Users
The changes in iOS 26 beta 4 reflect Apple’s iterative approach to software development, balancing bold design choices with practical usability. The return of Liquid Glass’s transparency and the Dynamic wallpaper option add personality to the iPhone, while notification and accessibility improvements make daily interactions smoother. The reintroduction of Apple Intelligence features signals a cautious but optimistic step toward AI-driven functionality, with safeguards to ensure reliability.
As Apple prepares for the public beta, expected as early as this week, these updates suggest iOS 26 is shaping up to be a polished release. For users, this means a more intuitive and visually engaging iPhone experience, with enhancements that cater to both aesthetics and functionality. Whether it’s a dynamic Lock Screen or smarter notifications, iOS 26 beta 4 sets the stage for a transformative update when it rolls out to all users this fall.
