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Apple releases watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4 public betas

9to5Mac •
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Apple has released public beta 1 updates for watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, and HomePod 26.4 to beta testers. The updates follow yesterday's developer builds and arrive alongside new AirPods Pro 3 firmware. These follow last week's 26.3 releases, which also focused on refinements rather than major new features.

Unlike its larger platforms like iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, Apple appears to be prioritizing stability over feature additions for its smaller device ecosystems. The company still doesn't offer public betas for visionOS, leaving Vision Pro users out of the testing program. This approach suggests Apple is concentrating development resources on its flagship operating systems.

Beta participants can enroll for free at beta.apple.com and find installation instructions for their various devices. With these updates being light on new features, Apple seems to be focusing on polishing existing functionality rather than introducing major changes. The company's strategy of staggering beta releases across its ecosystem allows for more targeted testing and refinement before wider deployment.