Apple Rolls Out iOS 26.2 Beta with Lock Screen Customization and Expanded EU Features
Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.2 today, introducing a range of updates including enhanced Lock Screen customization, new Reminders functionality, and expanded language translation capabilities for European users.
The update introduces a “Liquid Glass” slider, allowing users to adjust the opacity of the clock displayed on the iPhone’s Lock Screen, offering options from nearly transparent to a frosted appearance, while still retaining the ability to disable the effect entirely. This builds on Apple’s ongoing redesign of the user interface across its devices, aiming for a more fluid and personalized experience.
A highly requested feature, users can now set alarms directly within the Reminders app by enabling the “Urgent” option when scheduling a time-sensitive task. Furthermore, live translation via Siri and AirPods is now available in the European Union, following initial rollout in the U.S. and other regions; the delay was due to ensuring compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The Apple News app will also receive a “Following” tab for easy access to saved stories and favorite topics, and Apple Podcasts will gain AI-generated chapter markers and automatic links to referenced podcasts. Listeners will also benefit from offline lyric support in Apple Music.
Additional updates include a new accessibility feature allowing the iPhone screen to flash upon receiving a notification. The public release of iOS 26.2 is anticipated in December, and Apple has indicated further refinements may occur before the final version is available. You can learn more about Apple’s software updates on their support website.
Apple released iOS 26.2 beta 1 last week, introducing several updates, such as the option to customize the Liquid Glass appearance of the iPhone’s Lock Screen clock, the ability to set alarms within the Reminders app, and live translation features for users in the EU, among other improvements.
The public release of iOS 26.2 is expected sometime in December.
iOS 26.2 beta 1 added a Liquid Glass slider for the lock screen clock pic.twitter.com/cZzS2vWbwi
— Wazeen (@wzeeeeen) November 5, 2025
The Liquid Glass interface, which is the updated design for Apple devices, is still undergoing changes. The recent update includes a slider that lets users adjust the opacity of the clock displayed on the Lock Screen. This new feature enables users to make the clock nearly fully transparent or give it a more frosted look. There will still be an option to completely turn off Liquid Glass.
Another change is the ability to set alarms for reminders. When creating a reminder, choosing a specific time and then enabling the “Urgent” option will trigger an alarm at that time. Many people have been requesting this, and it will help keep things on track and ensure users don’t forget important tasks.
Reminders has a new ‘Urgent’ alarm option in iOS 26.2 pic.twitter.com/AulXNB6jQP
— kayden ⛧ (@f4dedlight) November 12, 2025
Last week, Apple also revealed that as part of the iOS 26.2 rollout, live translation on AirPods is expanding to the EU. If someone speaks to a user in another language, Siri can provide translations through the AirPods. This feature was initially rolled out in the U.S. and select other countries with iOS 26, but it wasn’t accessible in the EU until iOS 26.2, as Apple required additional time to ensure it met the EU’s Digital Markets Act requirements.
Techcrunch event
San Francisco
|
October 13-15, 2026
Additionally, the Apple News app will feature a new “Following” tab in the bottom navigation bar, which will include favorites, saved stories, and history. Users will also find new buttons that facilitate quick access to topics such as Food, Politics, Puzzles, and Sports.
Apple Podcasts is also gaining new features, including AI-generated chapters for podcast episodes. There will also be a Podcast Mentions function, so if a podcast host references another show during an episode, Apple Podcasts will automatically include a link to that show in the episode description.
Other features include offline lyric support in Apple Music, enabling listeners to view song lyrics even when not connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. Plus, the iPhone’s screen can now flash when a notification is received, a feature that can be activated in the Settings app under Accessibility.
