Subj : The next iOS 26.2 beta has landed, and it includes a handy new Ai To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Nov 18 2025 10:00:09 The next iOS 26.2 beta has landed, and it includes a handy new AirDrop feature and a hint at big voice assistant changes Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 09:48:54 +0000 Description: The third iOS 26.3 beta includes AirDrop codes, third-party access to hypertension notifications, and the possibility of ditching Siri in future. FULL STORY ======================================================================The third iOS 26.2 beta is out now It includes a new way to use AirDrop with people who aren't in your contacts It also hints at the ability to change the default voice assistant, though so far only in Japan Apple has now rolled out the third iOS 26.2 beta, and while most of the changes and additions here are minor, there is one quite substantial new feature. Now as spotted by MacRumors youll be able to use AirDrop to share files with someone without having to add them as a contact first, or enabling AirDrop for everyone nearby. Instead, you can generate a code which once shared with someone allows the two of you to exchange files over AirDrop for 30 days. So this works even if you have your AirDrop set to contacts only. If you want to remove their AirDrop privileges before 30 days are up or simply see a list of those youve shared such a code with you can do so from Settings > General > AirDrop > Manage Known AirDrop Contacts. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Apple / MacRumors) Image 2 of 2 (Image credit: Apple / MacRumors) The other changes in this iOS 26.2 beta are relatively minor, but worth knowing about. For example, third-party medical apps will now be able to access hypertension notifications from the Apple Watch, and Apple has further tweaked the design of the Level in the Measure app, having given it a Liquid Glass overhaul in the previous beta . Most of the other additions simply provide you information about changes that were added in previous betas. For example, theres now text in the Reminders app making it clearer that you can add an alarm to a reminder if you set it as urgent with the ability to add alarms having been added in a previous iOS 26.2 beta . Similarly, theres now a warning added to the Liquid Glass settings screen, alerting you that you cant use the previously added Tinted option in combination with the Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast accessibility settings. (Image credit: Apple / MacRumors) A Japan-only Siri replacement There is one final thing though that could be a big deal except that its currently limited to Japan, as there are signs in this beta that users in Japan will soon be able to choose a different default voice assistant that youd be able to launch by long pressing the side button. Its unclear why this would be Japan-only, but if Apple ever expands that to the rest of the world then it could be a huge upgrade for anyone whos not keen on Siri. In any case, as with previous iOS 26.2 betas we wouldnt necessarily recommend downloading this, especially as the finished version will probably be out very soon. But if you simply cant wait, heres how to download iOS betas . Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too. ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/ios/the-next-ios-26-2-beta-has-landed-and-it- includes-a-handy-new-airdrop-feature-and-a-hint-at-big-voice-assistant-changes --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .