Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 26.2, introducing several notable improvements focused on safety and user control. Among the key additions is the Enhanced Safety Alerts feature, designed to give users more granular control over critical notifications. Users in supported regions can now enable or disable alerts for earthquakes and imminent threats, providing more flexibility over emergency notifications while also offering the option to share approximate location data with Apple. iOS 26.2 is expected to be publicly released in December for devices compatible with iOS 26.
The Enhanced Safety Alerts section can be accessed by navigating to Settings > Notifications. Within this menu, users can choose which alerts to receive, including Earthquake Alerts and Imminent Threat Alerts. The privacy-oriented design ensures that users maintain control over location sharing, allowing them to share approximate location information with Apple only if they opt in. This gives users both safety and privacy in tandem.
In addition to new alert options, Apple has added a unique alert tone specifically for the Enhanced Safety Alerts, distinguishing them from standard government notifications. This new alert tone appears alongside the existing Government Alerts menu, which still includes options such as AMBER Alerts, Public Safety Alerts, Emergency Alerts, and Test Alerts. The addition ensures that critical warnings are more noticeable and easily distinguishable from routine notifications.
Another improvement in iOS 26.2 Beta 1 is an update to Reminder alarms. Users can now mark alarms as Urgent, giving them the ability to set high-priority reminders that stand out. These urgent reminders can be dismissed or snoozed, helping users better manage tasks while ensuring critical alerts are not missed. Overall, iOS 26.2 Beta 1 emphasizes user safety, privacy, and control, while refining daily utility features.