Everything New and Updated in iOS 26.2 Beta 3

Key Takeaways:

AirDrop codes add flexible sharing by giving you a 30-day code for quick transfers to people outside your contacts without saving numbers or exposing personal details.
Hypertension alerts reach more apps because iOS 26.2 lets third-party health apps read Apple Watch hypertension notifications through the Health app for faster medical follow-ups.
Japan gets new Side button options as Apple tests support for switching the Side button from Siri to assistants like Gemini or Alexa when you use a Japan-based Apple ID.
Liquid Glass Tinted mode checks accessibility and tells you when Reduce Transparency or Increase Contrast conflict with the effect, then disables those settings so the feature works correctly.
The Games app improves in iOS 26.2 with a new splash screen that highlights cleaner filters, smoother controller navigation, and live score updates while you play.

Apple has released the third developer beta of iOS 26.2. As the company inches toward the final version, this update introduces new features and enhances existing ones. Here’s a rundown of what’s changed in iOS 26.2 beta 3.

AirDrop Codes

You can now generate a new AirDrop code in the settings, allowing you to share files with someone not in your contact list. This code remains valid for up to 30 days and doesn’t require both parties to save each other as contacts. Users can manage access through this one-time code by navigating to Settings → General → AirDrop → Manage Known AirDrop Contacts.

Hypertension Notifications for Third-Party Apps

Developers can now enable their apps to access hypertension alerts from the Apple Watch. This means that when a high blood pressure alert occurs, medical apps can automatically get updates via the Health app.

Side Button Changes for Users in Japan

The beta contains indications that soon, Japanese users may assign another assistant to the Side button, such as Gemini or Alexa. Currently, this button triggers Siri when pressed and held. Apple’s documentation notes that this alteration is limited to Japanese Apple Accounts active in Japan.

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Liquid Glass Tinted Mode Updates

In the new Liquid Glass Tinted mode, designed to lessen transparency, there’s now a warning. It informs users that the mode is incompatible with the Accessibility settings Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast. Previously, users had to turn these settings off manually; now, enabling Tinted mode will automatically disable them.

Games App Enhancements

A new splash screen appears for the Games app in iOS 26.2, showcasing enhanced features like improved game filtering, refined controller navigation, and real-time challenge score updates while playing.

Alarms in Reminders

For those adding a reminder for the first time in a list, iOS includes a small note explaining that setting a reminder as urgent will activate an alarm. There’s also a splash screen introducing this feature.

Updated Apple Account Privacy Information

Post-installation of iOS 26.2, when you first access your Apple Account, a new privacy notice appears. Apple’s revised this to clarify how it collects and uses personal data associated with your Apple Account.

iPadOS 26.2 Multitasking

The latest iPadOS 26.2 beta brings back some multitasking capabilities. You’re now able to drag and drop apps from the App Library, Dock, and Spotlight directly into Slide Over and Tiled View—features removed during the transition from iPadOS 18 to iPadOS 26.

Share your thoughts on the updates in iOS 26.2 beta 3. Have you found anything else? Let us know.