iOS 26 Beta 2 Changes: Opaque Control Center, 'Reflection Alt 1' Ringtone, Recovery Assistant and Live Radio Widget

Apple's newest beta for iOS 26 is up for grabs, bringing a host of refinements and exciting additions to your iPhone experience as this update aims to make daily interactions more seamless and intuitive.

From visual tweaks like an improved Control Centre to intelligent features such as live translation and enhanced AI-powered widgets, it strives to do just that.

First Impressions: What's New in iOS 26 Beta 2?

On 23rd June 2025, Apple launched iOS 26 developer beta 2, two weeks after the initial developer beta. This update moved the build number to 23A5276f, a step up from the previous 23A5260u. While the earlier iOS 18 update largely centred on Apple Intelligence features, iOS 26 introduced a new 'Liquid Glass' design. This visual style is now consistent across all Apple platforms.

The software includes dynamic user interface elements that resemble actual glass, moving away from the flat appearance seen from iOS 7 to iOS 18. A dedicated Games app has also been added, alongside enhancements to Image Playground and Shortcuts and fresh functionalities for the Messages and Phone applications.

Furthermore, Apple has introduced a Foundation Models framework, enabling developers to integrate Apple Intelligence tools into their third-party apps, while Visual Intelligence now extends its capabilities to screenshots.

iOS 26 developer beta 2 refines the design updates first seen at WWDC 2025 through subtle enhancements and visual adjustments.

Refined Control Centre Appearance

With the second developer beta of iOS 26, Apple has subtly adjusted the Control Centre's look. It now appears darker than in the initial developer beta and features a more pronounced blur effect.

Likewise, the Safari web browser has undergone a slight layout alteration. The 'More' button, marked by an ellipsis, now presents all options in a single column, offering the same features through a more intuitive interface. The tab view has also been updated, though the fundamental Browse experience is unchanged.

Apple has also reinstated the standard iPhone wallpapers missing from iOS 26 developer beta 1. These device-specific wallpapers were available in previous iOS versions, suggesting their brief absence in beta 1 was an error.

The default 'Glass' wallpaper has been updated. It now reacts to device movement, similar to the parallax effect introduced in iOS 7. iOS 26 developer beta 2 also fixes a Lock Screen problem where some widgets appear over Focus Mode text. Additionally, certain buttons and user interface elements have an updated, glass-like appearance.

Fresh Ringtone and Music Widget

While the second developer beta of iOS 26 doesn't present significant functional alterations, it does include a new version of Apple's 'Reflection' ringtone.

Open the Settings app and go to Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. You'll find a new choice under the 'Reflection' ringtone. This option, called 'Alt 1,' is a fresh version of the existing Reflection melody, making it just as recognisable as the original, which remains the default iPhone ringtone.

Overall, the iOS 26 update also greatly simplifies adding custom iPhone ringtones. It includes a new ringtone variant that aligns well with its enhanced customisation features. Another iOS 26 beta 2 audio improvement is an Apple Music widget for live radio broadcasts.

Bug Fixes and Other Improvements

iOS 26 developer beta 2 resolves several issues impacting new and existing iPhone software features. Significantly, this update fixes a problem where AutoMix didn't work with AirPlay, and it also addresses some readability issues within the Apple TV app.

Apple Insider reported that the existing ChatGPT integration within iOS has also been enhanced. Requests are now categorised into two distinct types: Images and Other. However, this modification isn't expected to alter the user experience significantly. Additionally, the Mail app now includes a new feature for tracking orders.

The release notes for iOS 26 developer beta 2 also mention the new Recovery Assistant feature, which was initially introduced with the first developer beta of iOS 26.

It's a notable upgrade, as Recovery Mode now shows much more than just a static image on your iPhone. Instead, the new Recovery Assistant tries to diagnose and fix problems if your device struggles to boot up, and the on-screen text keeps you informed of this capability.

The top right of the screen houses a button to restore your iPhone using another iOS device or an iPad. This reduces the need for a PC or Mac to reinstall iOS.

What's Next for iOS 26?

Overall, the second developer beta of iOS 26 is pretty light on significant changes. While it does bring a new ringtone and a couple of user interface improvements, it doesn't introduce any fresh features. Apple releases new developer betas of iOS almost every week or two, which means we'll likely see more additions and modifications in future software updates.