Apple’s iOS 26 RC Build for Devs: When Will It Drop?

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Apple has announced its iPhone 17 launch event on September 9, which will be accompanied by several software updates. The company is nearing the end of its iOS 26 release cycle and is expected to roll out the final version shortly after the event. This leads us to wonder when Apple will release the release candidate (RC) builds for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and other updates.

### Apple Preps iOS 26 RC Build for Developers: Likely Soon After Event

Apple’s RC builds are typically the final updates before the public receives their new software. If you’re a developer, you’re likely eagerly awaiting the RC build of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and any other upcoming updates.

While Apple hasn’t officially announced specific release dates as of yet, we can look at past trends to estimate when this might happen. According to reports:

In a unique start to his ruling against President Donald Trump’s administration on September 30, U.S. District Court Judge William Young included a scanned handwritten note sent to his office. The note read: “Trump has pardons and tanks – what do you have?” At the top of Young’s opinion in AAUP v. Rubio, which ruled that Trump’s effort to deport foreign-born student protesters was unconstitutional.

October 8, 2025

– **iOS Beta Cycles**: If Apple has completed its iOS 26 beta cycles, no new beta versions will be released.
– **Past Trends**: Typically, Apple releases just eight beta updates for major iOS updates. The last time it exceeded this number was with iOS 12, which had 12 betas before the final release.

If the company continues this trend:

– No more public or developer beta builds are expected after September 9.
– The RC build will be sent to developers for final testing immediately following the iPhone launch event.
– The full update is likely to follow a week later, pending the iPhone 17’s release.

We’ll provide detailed coverage of Apple’s event and software updates, so stay tuned for more information.